Christmas Eve buffet

[CandyFloss35]

After reading a thread yesterday about Christmas Eve nibbles and what people are expecting I’ve started to second guess my food choices. On Christmas Eve there will be 8 people total at mine from 5pm, 5 of those are household members and 3 guests. For easy I decided a selection of help yourself items was the best way to go so I wasn’t tided to the kitchen all afternoon/evening. Please check over my list and tell me if it’s enough, what’s missing etc, thanks.

x2 extra large pizza counter pizzas
x2 quiches
ham joint
chicken drumsticks
chicken nuggets
pork pies
sausage rolls
coleslaw
potato salad
pasta salad
mixed salad
vine cherry tomatoes
veg sticks with dips
grapes
strawberries
french stick and butter
bread sticks
cheese twist crackers
crisps
peanuts

mince pies
cheese cake
chocolate brownie Christmas trees

Sounds perfect to me.

I'm doing a xmas eve buffet for 9 - 6 adults, 3 teens. We're having

3 x pizzas
hot dogs
cheese board, chutneys and crackers
grapes
pork pies
vol-a-vents (its christmas!)
chicken skewers
saladdy bits
coleslaw/potato salad
crisps/pringles
nuts
chocolate log
mince pies
a rulade
a christmas cake

I might add a quiche, you've inspired me!

That would be way too heavy for me. I'd remove some of the beige foods (pizza, nuggets etc) and replace with more fresh foods - maybe roasted veg or different vegetable side dishes.

I'd do -

Cold side of salmon

Quiche Lorraine (homemade)

Winter slaw with cranberries

Roast pepper halves with anchovies and garlic

French bread and butter

Cheese board with chutney/ grapes

Chocolate orange brownies and ice cream

I’ve got 8/10 nye and that’s virtually my exact menu!

I think I'd lose peanuts, chicken drumsticks and 1 quiche.

I do a Boxing Day Buffet for 5 including 1 veggie.

I will do warm cheese and onion quiche
Pringles
Hot mini sausage rolls
Hot mini pies (steak and chicken/ham)
Mixed salad (rocket, iceberg, mini tomatoes, cucumber, cress, grated carrot) choice of lemon and balsamic dressings.
Cucumber/carrot sticks
Beetroot balls in balsamic
Mini Baguettes sliced into Half's
Selection of cheeses/crackers
Olives
Cold sliced boiled ham/turkey
Warm chicken nuggets
Warm mozzarella sticks in breadcrumbs
Chocolate fingers
Lemon cheesecake
Profiteroles

I’m surprised at how many people think it’s to much I was worried it wasn’t enough! The chicken nuggets and strawberries are for the visiting children as that’s pretty much all they will eat, so got to stay.

its 4 adults, 3 teens and then a 11 year old, the teens will out eat the adults hands down.

When I do a buffet for about 14, I aim for filling them up so will make sure there is plenty of bread and another carb. For example a big pot of chilli with rice and crusty bread. Then add nachos, salad and dips etc.
Or I’ll do pulled pork with bread rolls, coleslaw and potato wedges
and a salad. To me fewer items but more of it. It’s easier .

I’m surprised at how many people think it’s to much I was worried it wasn’t enough!

This is MN where whatever the quantity of food it will be deemed too much. All you need is a 'huge salad' and some 'nice crusty bread' obviously.

@Sparklingbrook 😂

I always do a huge buffet on boxing day lots of variety and most is always eaten if not it will still get used. I'd rather people had plenty of choice then go hungry. Sounds like a lovely spread 😊

I think it’s the fact it’s Christian Eve rather than Boxing Day. I like to be really hungry on Christmas Day.

The last few years, I have done a buffet on C Eve. Nothing fancy - we all live here (not having guests). It's just nice and easy.
We are having - Spanish tortilla, salmon blinis, mozzarella and basil wrapped in parma ham, pineapple and cheese hedgehog, sausage rolls, crisps.

If I had guests, I'd do a chilli too, cheeses, salad and bread

I think with that much food before them people will be tempted to eat more than they really want. Christmas Day it's pretty traditional to have at least one big greedy meal, which I'm thinking no one will really appreciate if they've eaten a tonne the day before. I mean if you go for a hike or something first then sure, but not so much if you're just chilling out opening presents. In my house we have a really light diet on Christmas Eve to save room for the next day. Obviously every family is different and if the OP and her guests have genuinely got the appetite for all of that, that's great. It would just be a shame if they didn't fully enjoy Christmas dinner if the OP's going to great effort for that too.

Im reading a lot of these threads in amazement of what fantastic ovens and tables people must have. I couldnt fit all that food on our table or manage the in and outs of the oven.

Most people eat like gannets over xmas for several days. Me included. Its why people put on about half a stone each xmas and diet in the new year

I expect a lot of food at xmas, particuarlly if invited to someones house

Sounds great. Knowing you will have three teenagers coming , I personally would serve more! Alternatively, get some extra pizzas and bread as back up and they can be served really quickly if the teens have devouring everything on your buffet!

Have people not heard of leftovers?

I deliberately do too much buffet food on Christmas Eve to provide leftovers for the coming days, Buffet leftovers in the fridge are the star of the show here, second only to Christmas lunch.

Absolutely and theres never enoug leftovers leftover I find!

Sounds fine to me, I'd perhaps add some cheeses and pickles/beetroot/onions etc. But then I'm a fat fucker who can't survive a week on a salad like everyone else on here.

Yes there will be left overs, but isn't that half the point?!

Sounds good! Far better too much food than not enough and it might get wolfed down anyway!

@maddiemookins16mum can I ask what Christmas coleslaw is? It sounds like what is missing from my future festive buffet!

There are only four of us. Adult DCs. It will be the main outing for the ham with potato salad and and a Thomasina Miers beetroot/celeriac remoulard from the Guardian. DH had a major blowout from Neal's Yard, so that will follow with Membrillo and some fruit. There will be some chocolate kicking round but I suspect only DD will be interested.

I love celeriac remoulade but dont have the wrists to manage it

Do you use a machine to shred it, how do you peel it?

What dressing do you use? I wouldnt do it with beetroot

You cant buy ready made easily, its a real shame

My Christmas coleslaw had walnuts and raisins added, also red cabbage instead of white.
I use a food processor to shred celeriac for remoulade.