Opinions on my Christmas menu!

[HerbivorousRex]

I know it’s early but this is our first year hosting Christmas and I’m very excited (I love Christmas!)
Please could you look through my menu/plan for the day and let me know what you think!
I love baking and often cook for large numbers of people but I’ve never done Christmas before (I’m also veggie so I don’t want to miss anything that the meat eaters might want!)

We have 12 adults and 2 children coming for the day and we’ll eat lunch at 2pm.

Breakfast (9am after stockings):
Smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels
Bacon sandwiches
Cranberry and orange mimosas
Tea/coffee/juice

Everyone staying with us goes for a long walk in the morning. Everyone else will arrive between 1-2pm. Pre-dinner drinks and nibbles.

• Spiced orange martini
• Cranberry gin fizz
• Nuts, crisps and dips
• Mince pies and gingerbread biscuits

Lunch (2.30pm)
Starter (plus pulling crackers and opening table presents):
Pate on sourdough toast with cornichons.

Main:
Goose or Turkey.
Beef.
Chestnut, mushroom and Stilton nut roast.
Pork, hazelnut and spiced apple stuffing
Pigs in blankets (veggie sausage for me).
Cauliflower and leek cheese with whole grain mustard.
Sprouts with roasted chestnuts and pancetta.
Spiced red cabbage.
Honey/spice glazed, roasted carrots and parsnips.
Mashed swede with loads of butter and black pepper.
Yorkshire puddings.
Roast potatoes.
Gravy.
Wine, water and sparkling apple juice.

Pudding:
Christmas pudding.
Christmas wreath pavlova (with berries).
Spiced chocolate orange tart.
Cream/custard/ice-cream/brandy butter.
Tea/coffee

Open presents round the tree. Play games. Christmas treasure hunt. Gingerbread house decorating competition.

Evening food (7pm):
Cheese/charcuterie board (with figs, apples/pears, salad, pickles, chutneys, olives etc).
Nice bread and crackers
Christmas cake, mince pies and gingerbread house.
Mulled wine, hot chocolate, expresso martinis.

Watch Christmas films (argue about whether ‘Die Hard’ counts as a Christmas film).

Is there anything I’ve missed or that you think I should add/cut?

I have one very major comment...... please can you post the spiced orange martini recipe!

That all looks utterly utterly gorgeous!

(Mind if I plagiarise?!)

I think you've forgotten to add me to your list of invitees!

I'd love the pork, hazelnut and spiced apple stuffing recipe if you don't mind?

Your cocktails sound amazing! There are a lot of dishes to prepare, so sounds like a lot of work, but they all sound great

Amazing! I'm copying your menu! Am also veggie, the nut roast sounds delicious!

Fabulous. Hope it all goes well. It is v exciting hosting Christmas for the first time x

I’d want some plain veg, as the dinner can get a bit rich. Steamed carrots/peas etc. And I like red cabbage to add something a bit sour, easy to cook in advance and warm up. Looks incredible though.

What’s the veggie breakfast for you?

This sounds utterly incredible. Just a few points:
What are you having for breakfast?
I wouldn't include Yorkshire pudding for Christmas dinner
I also would offer mince pies until after lunch

*wouldn't

Sounds absolutely perfect OP

I’m vegan but cranberry sauce if you serve turkey?

You don't get breakfast, stuffing or sprouts?
Are the children older ones? None of them sound very child friendly.
Other than that, sounds very nice, although unless you are all massive eaters, it sounds like a lot of food between 9 and 7!

Agh need to proofread - none of the puddings are very child friendly I meant.

This looks great, and very ambitious! I take it you enjoy cooking, then

Only a couple of minor suggestions :

I wouldn't serve the mince pies with your nibbles. Keep those savoury.

I'd be tempted to have poultry or beef rather than both. Could you do a ham as a second meat dish if you really wanted one?

Make sure it's achievable without too much stress, I'd also say. Better to trim things down a little than risk spoiling some of your delicious food because there is too much going on. ( bitter expérience emoji)

Yum! I’m coming too! That sounds like a lovely menu and fun day x

I agree with PP I wouldn't serve mince pies and gingerbread just before lunch. For me they have a late afternoon with a cup of tea kind of vibe.

It all looks lovely - I would say that your starter looks a bit uninspired compared to the other courses, as there's only one choice and it's fairly standard (much as I love pate).
How about adding a soup like this one, which you could make in advance. With or without the toasts.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cider-onion-soup-cheese-apple-toasts

I’m veggie like you OP, but I believe lots of people like sandwiches of the leftover meat on the Christmas evening (at least in my family). So slices of the meat from the dinner with soft white rolls and condiments, cold stuffing etc as part of the evening spread? In fact my family ensure they make too much meat for this specifically and my sister claims she likes the leftovers more than the main event!
Unless you have this planned for Boxing Day.

Sounds absolutely amazing

I’ll be there about 1.45pm.

It sounds fab! I really hope you have help

My only thought is that your roast is incredibly heavy. Not even a basic veg thats not spiced/cheesed up/honeyed/ added pancetta

Id lose the cauli cheese and replace with steamed carrots and/or broccoli

Other than that, sounds very nice, although unless you are all massive eaters, it sounds like a lot of food between 9 and 7!

I thought that but didn’t want to be accused of mumsnet under eating contest...🤣

As a pp said, I probably wouldn’t do the mince pies and biscuits before lunch. But then it’s up to people to eat what they want and not fill up on mince pies before lunch so I’m sure it’ll be fine.
Christmas isn’t Christmas if you’re not all complaining of stomachs hurting cos your so full. 🤣

Bloody hell sounds fabulous! Makes our Christmas Day seem pretty basic!

I don’t think goose, Turkey and beef are needed for the meat eaters, I would defo ditch at least one to make your life easier. Personally we only offer once choice of meat- Turkey.

Stuffing is my fav so personally I would do a veggie option for all so you get some as well!

Sounds delicious but will be hard work for you.

Yes, no sweet food with pre dinner drinks and I would drop the dip for the potential of drips and spills over house/people. You need cranberry sauce and bread sauce. Drop the beef unless you have fowl haters and if so change to ham; beef needs respect and think it will be a pain monitoring that alongside everything else. I would also drop the cheesy veg dish and go for plain peas. However sound amazing but a lot of hard work, good luck and enjoy.

You don't need mince pies and gingerbread biscuits with your pre dinner drinks. They will fill people up. Stick to nuts etc.

Don't be surprised if no one is ready for your evening spread at 7.30. I find no one wants a snack until around 9.

Also don't be put out if people just want a normal g&t/glass of wine/beer etc and not a cocktail.

I find the gift opening after dinner a bit odd but we are most definitely an open gifts then eat sort of family. I appreciate other families do it differently.

Your food all sounds amazing though.