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 😂)

Oh and some things that might make things easier on the day...

I pre-make braised red cabbage (with spices and apple) - usually in early December, and freeze it.

DH and I pre-make speculoos / pepperkaker biscuit dough, and store a cylinder of it in the fridge, and a cylinder of it in the freezer, so we can simply cut some cookies and bake them for fresh spice biscuits at any time (same with cheesy biscuits).

I don't bother making mince pies, seriously, super market ones are perfectly good.

Yes fridge the roast potatoes overnight. I always do loads to make sure I have leftovers the next day and they’re always better the second day! But with 3 ovens maybe you don’t need to worry too much!

Even with three ovens, space could be tricky - in which case, I recommend ham/gammon, we usually roast a ham on Christmas eve, and have it cold with Christmas lunch (alongside whatever main course we're having).

Sometimes we do-away with a roast, and have coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, or osso bucco, all three can be cooked ahead and reheated... or we have a 'grand fish' like a whole salmon, or similar - but I realise that not having a traditional roast on Christmas Day is an anathema to many people.

Mince pie wise I’d go for Greggs or an indie baker rather than supermarket ones, as a good compromise between homemade and shop bought.

The playroom idea is nice because you can do that at the beginning of September .

When it comes to Christmas Day I would advise don't be too ambitious and don't set yourself up to spend all day in the kitchen - you need to enjoy it too . A breakfast buffet would work if you are not eating your main meal until the evening

I think this is the one place where you never have to apologise for talking about Christmas in June!

Get prepared for the day with a million yards of tin foil and dozens of clean tea towels.

I agree with a previous poster; people have their own traditions that really top off Christmas for them. I love limeade with my dinner. Ridiculous I know, and I never drink it at any other time, but I’ve had it every year since I was a kid and it would be very strange not to have it now. So I’d ask your guests if there were any particular drinks/chocolates/nuts etc they would like.

Re making them comfortable, I’d invite them to bring their slippers with them so they can feel more comfortable. Make sure you have enough seats. A few lamps and fairy lights are much nicer than bright overhead lights. Keep an eye on the temperature so people aren’t nodding off. Plenty of tea and coffee as well as alcohol and soft drinks. Lots of ice in the freezer. Nominate someone to keep drinks topped up and to keep glasses and mugs in rotation between the guests and the washing up bowl. Are you a board games family? I’d start popping into charity shops now to get a good selection, or something like Articulate where everyone can be included in teams, even if they just want to sit on the sofa and shout out every now and then.

However many pigs you think you need, double them. leftovers can be eaten at tea time. (Same for stuffing and gravy). Definitely buy in where you can. We tend to do Yorkshires the day before and re heat them. Takes ten minutes and way less oven space. If you can’t be arsed, Sainsburys ready made ones are a million times nicer than Aunt Bessie’s. The disposable tin foil trays are your friend here; saves on soooo much oven space. Also, if you want to cheat with veg, I’d highly recommend Aunt Bessie’s honey roasted parsnips (it is the only Aunt Bessie product allowed through the door in December) and those packets of frozen steamed veg. They come in individual portions in a big bag and steam cook in the microwave in a minute or two. You can get every combination of veg you can think of, depending on where you buy them from, and you’d never know you hadn’t slaved over them! Wash up as you go!

Nigella’s chicken gravy recipe is the best I’ve ever tasted, but I doubt anyone will really care if you serve up Bisto, so long as it’s not watery or lumpy and there’s plenty of it. I’d have a couple of emergency presents wrapped up ready (chocolates etc) just in case anyone turns up unexpectedly.

If you are going to pre order any xmas food from m & s or tesco etc - be aware that the order can be placed usually late Nov - best to get in early to get a reasonable delivery or click and collect slot that suit you. I usually try and book 23rd so have opportunity to nip to shop if anything is missing. I also noticed with tesco last year that I had ordered some bits to my order early as you can edit up to a certain date - and if I had tried to add the same thing to my order at a later date (before the cut off) I would not have been able to as showing as not selectable (so they may have limited stock of certain things)

If you are going to pre order any xmas food from m & s or tesco etc - be aware that the order can be placed usually late Nov - best to get in early to get a reasonable delivery or click and collect slot that suit you

I’ve got a feeling M&S might be a bit earlier than that. Maybe late October, early November?

What I would also do is start buying your non fresh stuff as early as sell by dates allow. It does mean having bottles of lemonade and tubes of Pringles under the bed for a few months, but you will be so bloody grateful come 23rd and all you’ve got to worry about is collecting meat and picking up your fresh stuff, especially for so many people. I never rely on delivery slots from supermarkets as there’s always going to be substitutions. Pre buying spreads the cost and means you don’t have to worry that you haven’t got exactly what you wanted.

A roast is the only way! I (will) have three ovens, a microwave / combi and I have two ninjas so hoping this will be workable for that amount of people.

Totally love the idea of salmon though, my personal favourite.

Maybe my plan is that I do a lot of cook ahead etc.

I love all the planning.
I have ordered from M and S for the last 3 years, the meat, and never had what I have ordered.
I collect on 23rd, and I don't know if the meat is allocated per store, or first order gets it or what, but my order has always been substituted with something of a higher value, and bigger, just not what I wanted.
Of course at that point I am not going to take the option to leave with a refund
But be aware that you may not get what you order!

Love this thread! One suggestion on the meat, could you do one in a slow cooker if you have one? I regularly cook ham in there (sometimes finished off in the oven with a glaze) but would save you some oven space

Jess, I am totally over invested (not in a creepy sort of way)
I am excited for you, and slightly panicky.
What are you having for pudding?

My oldest DC loves baking (and is actually good at it) so we’ll have a cake, and then I should probably attempt a trifle as my whole family love it.

Other than that I think lots added to my M&S basket? 😅

I am a useless baker, so M and S will feature heavily.

Jess, just a thought, do you have enough crockery and cutlery for 18 at a 'big' meal?

I have at least 12 of most things and always buy plain white so plan to just buy some extra of these things in singles.

serving dishes etc I have lots and could borrow from my brother if need be.

cutlery it pains me but I’ll either have to mix and match from two sets, or buy a lot more.

I bought some NEXT white crockery in a box as a top up, you know, 6 of everything - it was £25, and they have outlasted my Denby kit. Used every day, and not a mark on them.
Pleased and just a little peeved!

I always add a little wrapped table present for each guest - can be something really simple - a little game/puzzle, mini bottle of wine or tiny box of chocs/sweets. They double up as place setting, as each one is labelled 🎁 🌲

How old are your dc? From around 8yo, we helped my mum peel veg on Christmas Eve - it felt grown up and we would have a box of biscuits to dip into for sustenance (and we sang along to a Christmas cd very badly). We really enjoyed it so it may be worth getting them involved.

If you have a drink stand or something you can use as one, I'd set that up in your living room/dining room to keep people out of the kitchen when it's busy and worktops are covered in food.

Buy more table crackers, bread, pigs in blankets and chocolates/biscuits than you think you need.

Make yourself a few playlists (Christmas songs, songs to dance to, songs the kids like etc) and if you have Netflix/disney etc, add some Christmas films to your watchlist so you can find them easily.

Love the idea of the playroom. Make sure there are lots of fairy lights and plenty of places to sit (even if that means cushions on the floor).

Have a pack of cards or 2 so you can play silly games without them taking up much space.

Do not underestimate how many adults will get involved in random stuff like playing bingo, a general knowledge quiz or even a prize for the first person to find a random item you've hidden in a room (if it's dry I suggest the garden to get everyone outside and give you a breather)! Bonus pints in the kids write a quiz as they seem to get a kick out of knowing things their parents etc don't.

As for dinner, order in as much as you can and maybe do a few practise roasts in autumn so at least they're no longer scary.

Sounds like you're going to have a fun, chaotic Christmas OP

I'd be tempted to get my turkeys early, roast them and slice them up then put in trays with lots of gravy and freeze. Take out night before and then gently heat till they're piping hot. It's just one less thing to worry about. Re the breakfast buffet as well croissants, Bucks Fizz / Orange juice and coffee/ tea are all you need IMO.

So I’m planning to do the £5 table game - every brings something wrapped £5 (or less)… they can disguise this as they wish. (It looks like a book! Etc)

Then everyone gets a number drawn out of a hat and ‘1’ is the worst, because they get to take their pick of presents and open it, and everyone can see!

then 2-18 take it in turns to pick a present and then either keep what they have, or steal and swap from anyone who came before them.

kind of a mean secret Santa 😂 but thought it would make the dinner table fun!

It did occur to me to think about the ‘bar’

I basically offer red, white, rose and Prosecco at a party, as well as beer. (DH deals with this. Lager, beer, it’s all alien to me!)

but I know there are people in the group who love a gin and tonic, a whisky, something else even! Need to look into it.

I’d definitely invite them to bring their favourite tipple. Soft drinks, tea and coffee is one thing, but you’ll bankrupt yourself catering for 18 people’s drink orders otherwise!

but I know there are people in the group who love a gin and tonic, a whisky, something else even! Need to look into it.

I don't think I'd look too deeply!
You could end up having to buy 10 bottles of spirit, and mixers. I think your selection of wines and beers is very generous.
Perhaps a 'grown up' soft drink for the drivers. I like Elderflower fizz, rather than coke, and perhaps an interesting juice for anyone who can't take fizz.

If you have room, a big jug of iced tap water, perhaps with some lemon or lime in it.

You say you’re not a natural cook so my suggestion is to vaguely plan a meal now and have practice tries of each thing.

keep looking in gumtree for cheap slow cookers. Might as well stock up. Also a heated tray thingy.