What would make your perfect Christmas experience?

[Jessforless]

I’m taking over Christmas hosting for the first time this year. (I know it’s June but hoping that’s okay in this topic 😂)

Finally have the space to do this and so grateful for being hosted all these years that I really want to make it amazing.

Im planning to emulate the dinner we’ve had (hopefully with success but very nervous as not a natural cook!)

But would also like to make everything extra special. My DC have said we should make our playroom very Christmassy with a tree and movies, blankets etc for kids. Love that.

DH has said we should do a breakfast buffet as people will be coming early for presents.

Made me inspired to post here - would love some tips and suggestions!

(Will also be reading every single ‘how to cook a Christmas dinner’ posts 😂)

I think the playroom idea is good. Are the children old enough to help with the dressing of the room?

You could ask anyone coming if there's any specific drinks they like to have with their Christmas dinner etc? Lots of people have their own traditions they might not even realise they have if they're used to getting it every year e.g. having a certain dessert every year or a specific drink with their dinner.

I always go to my mums for Christmas dinner every year and she always knows to get a roulade for one of the desserts because it's my favourite!

I'm a big 'Christmas' person so will keep my thinking cap on for you

If you have a piano, or keyboard, and a person who can tinkle out a few carols, that's always really nice.

DH played the piano as a child (mid-grades, like 5 or 6) but in the run up to Christmas he always re-learns a few few Christmassy songs and carols for us to sing along to (or to have twinkling in the background).

We also have a tree at either end of the downstairs, so you can always see a tree, one in the front window (living room) and one in the back window (sunroom).

We did a breakfast buffet this year - cinnamon buns (made over night), fruit platter with lime and ginger, a pot of coffee, jugs of juice, various toasts and granolas, smoked salmon and philadelphia bagels... which was a nice way for people to help themselves to whatever they wanted, whenever they were ready.

I could literally think/talk/plan/write about Christmas for hours! :-D

I like to have low level christmas smells going on. If candles are not a good idea with the children, a couple of drops of essence on a tissue tucked out of sight will do the trick.

Wow I didn’t expect any replies, thank you!

Yes the kids are old enough and very excited (already making a plan) for how they can decorate the room and have Christmas movies on for their cousins.

We do have a piano and this was always my dream but sadly my one sibling who plays won’t be able to come as they’ll be abroad! (My DC who is the reason for the piano will absolutely not play in front of guests - let’s not talk about that waste of money 😂)

I’m so up for talking about Christmas plans in June if others are happy to! Really panic set in when I realised this is going to be a thing and I’m actually going to do it 😂

What a lovely thread! It's nice to be excited about hosting. Here are some things I've enjoyed or appreciated at Christmas gatherings:

Some berries added to sparkling wine handed out on arrival. Don't know why but it feels more special.

A puzzle or quiz sheet that people can peruse in between chats. Christmas can be a long day for some introverts so having some sheets and pencils lying about can help fight off social fatigue.

And you can never have too much gravy available 😁 Though that might just be for Northerners

I love this.. already I know two guests who aren’t really a wine / champagne kind of person and would probably prefer something like a cocktail. Will surreptitiously chat and make sure I have what they need!

I also love roulade! Wish I could make it.

Don't serve lunch until you've enjoyed the morning, early afternoon. Turkey on, then chill for 2 hours. Prep veg night before if poss.
Buy a ham that's already cooked.
It's fine to use shop bought Yorkshires, and always add bisto to the gravy. Along with wine.
Everyone will eat double the amount of pigs in blankets you expect.
Make sure everyone helps with a job when you're serving up/tidying away.
Don't be surprised that noone wants to eat much Xmas pudding.
Booze needs to be both supplied and brought by all guests!

If you’re not a natural cook I would think about buying some of the meal in, even if it’s just the gravy. You don’t want to be completely stressed. If you don’t do this already, sort out some board games, or party games. I find this brings people together and those that don’t fancy it can stay in your snug with movies and blankets.

Op Iceland and Aldi have some very posh roulades in around Christmas time..... might save you some time on the day. Have a fantastic time 😁 (we had a chocolate orange gateaux last year.....😍😍😍😍)

Mulled wine - buy it from M&S or similar and add extra orange slices and a cinnamon stick. Heat it up slowly in the hob and keep on low. Lovely and warming and makes the whole house smell amazing!

you Sound absolutely lovely !
I agree about buying some stuff already made to take the pressure off you and peel veg and leave in cold water the day before

So I have been watching YouTube etc to do the turkey, and in line with previous years probably need to do at least one more meat, probably two.

I will not be precious in buying stuff in, as I’m not being modest, I am not a natural cook and don’t have a great deal of experience. Luckily DH is an expert at roasties and is the most chill person in any situation.

im thinking a lot of M&S for things like stuffing and some seafood for a starter? And then also platters for an evening tea.

Will double check with everyone but might be the luckiest ever in that no one is vegan / veggie so I don’t need to make separate. (except for me but I just won’t eat except for sides to make easier 😜)

Love this!

How many people?

DH has said we should do a breakfast buffet as people will be coming early for presents

Perfect job to delegate to him then, lock stock and barrel.

Will have to wait nearer the time but probably 18.

The DC are so all over this, they looked on Pinterest all evening about boards to make - he will help too!

How about a hot chocolate station for the little ones (and big ones!) later? I’ve wanted to do this for the last few years but Xmas got cancelled one year and the next I was so stressed I forgot

Make lists and timetables - roast dinner sounds complicated but is actually pretty easy, you just need a lot of oven space or you end up putting things in and taking them out endlessly. Roast potatoes for lots of people will take up a lot of space so it might even be worth cooking them the night before as they reheat really well - maybe get them 80% of the way done and then they’ll only need an extra 20 mins on the day.

Love that too! My DC are huge hot chocolate fans. Great idea!

when you say do them 80%.. do you then fridge / freeze them? I’ve never done this.

Oven space is good, I’ll have 3 oven spaces to use and also have two ninjas if this helpful.

I have to confess - Roast dinner has always scared me 😂 I’m very much a one pot / one dish dinner fan. Everything being cold for my MIL or Dad is something they would never let happen. (They’re amazing, and would say nothing. Just know it’s important to them.)

Jess, are all 18 having lunch?
That's a lot of oven space. I think perhaps start thinking of your menu, and let us know how much oven space, microwave, freezer/fridge space you have,
and then someone else (cos I can't!) can speak to you about time plans, so that you are not stressed and juggling oven space and worktop space.
Might be that you need to delegate puds or something to be bought in, or need to find somewhere to put them.
A lot of my drinks and uncooked veg have to live in the very cold conservatory!