Christmas party buffet!

[ChristmasFanatic]

I'm looking back through pics of previous years and my Christmas party buffets look CRAP and really don't encompass that Christmassy feeling my mum used to give me as a kid.

Is anyone willing to share their spreads (that sounds wrong) to help a mum of little imagination out please?

Thanks!

I don't have any pictures, but if it helps Lidl are doing some flavoured cheeses in tree and star shapes, and some lovely posh looking pates! I always think a bowl of clementines gives some colour to the table and smell great too. Also chocolates with shiny wrappers.

Asda do some great tableware that doesn't cost the earth as well, I have some bowls with gingerbread men on from a couple of years ago that I put the crisps etc in.

Can you share the pictures in question and we can see what's missing?

It's all in the presentation.

@ChristmasFanatic If you google exactly what you have just asked for the ones that look good are presented well, so just what Mrgrinh says, presentation. Either all coordinating colour of plates/platters (all white, all black) or the food arranged rather than just popped on a plate. There are lots of youtube videos about arranging cheese boards or sandwiches (yes I watch this sort of stuff) and how to make a Christmas tree out of cheese and crackers etc. Pops of colour so bowl of grapes (depending on the age of the children) cherry tomatoes, satsumas, strawberries, bowl of chocolates in those coloured wrappers as December says, you will also start to notice all the sprigs of green things as garnish too.

Once you see how it is presented then you can work out what food you want too. It all depends on what your guests/family will eat and how many times you will do this, will it just be the same meal again or more focus on one thing for one buffet and something else for a second one? Coloured fairy lights laid weaving around the food it also lovely, or LED candles no risk of singed sleeves.

We have one of those hot plate things to keep food hot too. We have specific ovenware that fits on it. In the past I used to lay out all the empty platters/plates/bowls with a post it note labelling each one, then when ready I take them into the kitchen and plate up.

Pigs in blankets
Turkey and stuffing sausage rolls
Goats cheese muffins
Smoked salmon and cream cheese frittatas or quiche
Cheese and grape skewers
Prawn cocktail vol au vents
Beef and horseradish mini Yorkshires
Root vegetable crisps
Mince pies
Mini Yule logs
Stollen bites

Was the food of your youth exciting because ut was things you only ate at Christmas?
Or because you were allowed to stay up late?

I agree the presentation makes a huge difference, I have random plates , a mixof Portmerion, Spode (TKMaxx/Homesense bargains) Matalan, Tesco .
As the food is taken off the pattern appears
Candles (LED) or lights .
I have an assortment of random cutlery too (alongside my standard set) which I put into the bowls or plates.

When we used to go to my cousins , there was always the anticipation of High Tea, with family . It was lovely .

I didn't even question the presentation. Yes, you're all absolutely right. I need colours and dinnerware. I feel you've really nailed it with that!

Some excellent food suggestions. We always had cheese and pineapple on a stick but cheese and grapes sound much prettier and less messy!

Thank you 🎄

My family call me the buffet queen 😂..love a good buffet and I agree with pp about the presentation being key. Of course you need good tasty and interesting food too, but presentation really does make a big difference.

I tend to make quite a few chacuterie style boards (but doesn't have to be your standard cheese, deli meats etc) You can design pretty much any food in this way. Last new years I did a classic chacuterie board, as well as a sweet board - that included Nutella twists, choc dipped straws, marshmallows, dipping choc pots, fruit kebabs, mini pretzels etc and a spicy one that had chicken tikka, samosa's, pakoras, chutney, mini poppadoms, chicken tandoori etc.

I've got a few Christmas tree and star shaped platters, use chopping boards and tiered platters etc. I also make sure to 'dress' the table.

Make the table look interesting and make sure the food isn't just your standard beige buffet and you are on to a winner!

Have a look for ideas on Instagram. Something like this is quite easy (it’s not mine!) and looks amazing

This is also straightforward and would work on a normal big round plate

One more!