Essential in this house:
Late breakfast of smoked salmon, cream cheese, bagels
Nice nibbles with gallons of Buck's Fizz (made with fresh OJ only)
Mini silverskin onions, crisps, carrot sticks, dips, Twiglets
A couple of hours before 5 ish dinner, canapés in lieu of starter. This year it's tempura prawns and duck spring rolls.
Turkey and stuffing, lots of proper gravy
Crispy roast potatoes (loads)
Pigs in blankets (loads)
Carrots, sprouts, parsnips
Cranberry sauce
Christmas pudding, brought to the table in all its flaming glory, with a bit of holly stuck in the top, brandy butter/cream/custard
Cheeseboard, grapes, satsumas, mince pies.
Coffee.
Later, cold turkey and gammon, chutney, pickled onions, salad and bread/butter to pick at - if anyone has room. Often not.
Sundry boxes of chocolates (of course)