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 😂)

It’s great isn’t it? I’ve found my tribe - talking Xmas in June 😁

I’m also fully invested! Not in a creepy way 😂 wish I could host my whole fam but nowhere near enough space. So this thread is so lovely to read! Fluffy socks on and hot chocolate being made 🎄

I haven't cooked for 18 before , most was 8 (Mum, Dad,Bro, SiL, DS, DD, DH and me )
We had a TV and sofa in DS room so anyone who wanted peace could watch something different .

Yes to preparing as much as you can ahead, and Yes to homemade roast potatoes . Nothing from a shop compares .
I make Yorkshire Puddings but I do keep a pack of Aunt Bessies in case the don;t work.

Air Fryers are a huge boon. I got one last year and used one basket for the roast potatoes when they were cooked but just needed a bit longer while the Yorkshires were taking up the main oven

Carrots and sprouts can be peeled and chopped in the fridge the night before , parsnips pre-steam . Store in bags or sealed tubs .

Log Fire YouTube video on the big telly

No tree here (cats ) and only flameless candles .

Lists
I have a Christmas Notebook , write what I need to buy when I think of it .
What I don;t need (Christmas Cake . Every couple of years I make one then think "Why" . Only I eat it . And bought ones are rubbish)
Sainsbury Bakery Mince Pies (Shortcrust) are the real deal
Asda Bakery Cinnamon Swirls

Only my DS and the cats eat chicken.

Some nice extras that aren't ££ and you'll re-use . A Christmas fleece throw , cushions , handsoap , towels .

Snow would be nice too.....

Ooh. Snow machines. Real life reindeer in the garden. Elves serving the meal. Nice real fire to roast chestnut on

Watch some CCF (Cheesey Christmas Films ) on Hallmark or one of the Christmas Channels ( there's loads of threads on here ) to get you into the Christmas Mood

Martha Stewart Chewy and Crispy Chocolate Cookies ( make the dough the day before so they can chill or you can freeze)

Nigella Christmas Muffins ( I've not tried them but they're raved over)

My DH is more a scrambled egg on toast breakfast , the rest of us like croissants .

Not sure of kids ages - but in years past I noticed that many kids disliked traditional Christmas desserts and even cake.
A while after the meal, I used to set up an ice cream sundae station under command of oldest most responsible cousin. I bought lovely tall sundae glasses and long spoons. Various ice creams and sorbets, lots of pretty toppings from chocolate sauces to smarties to edible gold stars or mini percy pigs, all in pretty little fluted dishes for selection.
Finishing touch in each sundae was a sparkler lit and inserted by responsible adult to ooos and aaahs of the wee people.

I love this, I also love hosting Christmas, and people think I’m bonkers for it!

If budget allows, I like to buy a huge bagful of Primark slipper socks and literally hand them out to everyone as they’re taking their shoes off (yes I’m a shoes off in the house person. Then it’s like a nice little welcome gift, but also makes everyone feel comfy and cosy in your home.

Christmas candles and a tonne of decorations in the entry/hallway is a must. We’ve got a few Christmas playlists so depending on the vibe, you could go for jolly kid tunes like Muppets/Grinch soundtrack or carols, or even I have a 50s/60s festive playlist that I adore. Deffo fake telly fire crackling. Some fake LED candles from Dunelm dotted about.

Also, maybe I’m a bit OTT but I host often and usually very close friends and family - I always say loudly from the off that people must make themselves at home and please top up drinks, feel welcome to open the fridge do what they like etc. and I’m very clear that I will get in a tizzy and forget to keep up with teas and please just crack on. I’d rather say that, and people do it, than constantly panic that maybe people are gasping for a drink while I’m elbow deep in turkey.

I always make a light breakfast for my kids on Christmas, we usually have guests later so don’t normally cater the morning, but I’d go for something make ahead and light and portable - if you’ve got either some sturdy tumblers or even nice martini glasses, you could prep something like a pretty granola and Greek yoghurt fruity layered breakfast. You can jazz it up as much as you like with fresh fruit and mint dotted on the top. Last year I made my kids a sort of trifle breakfast in tumblers that they had scoops of between opening their things, and it went down really well. Depends on your layout as well, but might be better not to provide a breakfast that needs a table setting or too much clearing up. Even buying some items in, roast dinner for that amount of people means an absolutely wild amount of clearing up and you’ll have started prep and spreading things out already so if you can avoid the kitchen and dining for breakfast that’ll alleviate the added chaos.

Have bin bags and recycling bags where people know where they are. Have additional loo roll in plain sight in the bathroom, festive handwash, plenty of things like clean tea towels and cloths. Make sure your house is in order before ie washing basket down because you’ll be already clearing up for days once they all go, better to start with some level of order. Get some takeaway type tins to send people away with leftovers or to put in your own freezer. I always make mine into pies and pasties. I’m excited for you 😂

in my opinion the best is for a hostess that is relaxed and not putting herself under loads of pressure or spending all her time in the kitchen.
my perfect Christmas Day morning would involve a couple of glasses of Buck's Fizz, an almond croissant or similar, maybe some Greek yoghurt and cherries. While sitting about watching stockings being opened. Abd preferably a piano so I can play some carols and Christmas jazz.
my ideal Christmas lunch would be cold gammon and chicken with a selection of salads, nice bread followed by raspberry meringue roulade. In the evening I'd like a gammon sandwich with some Pringles and a mince pie. I like watching a Bond film or similar (maybe a spy spoof like Austin Powers, Kingsman or Jonny English) and playing a board game or a Wasjig. With plenty of bubbly and some pudding wine.

but relaxed is my main requirement

One idea I saw which might be good for such a large number opening presents, is to wrap a large cardboard box with the top open in Christmas paper. This can then act as a rubbish bin to instantly chuck all wrapping. You can always sort to reuse/recycle on Boxing Day, but it keeps the area tidy and makes random photos lot nicer.

Good Food homemade Christmas magazine is out now (also on Readly if you use that) and from the November issue will probably start the prep ahead for Xmas recipes.

Old fashioned hostess trolleys are surprisingly good if you can borrow one, or you may have a warming drawer. But somewhere to warm plates and serving bowls and keep things like red cabbage/pigs in blankets etc warm is really useful.

Finally ask your guests if there is anything food wise that really means Christmas to them. For example I must have bread sauce, late MIL liked mashed swede and carrots as a vegetable and a visiting girlfriend of one of my ds wanted libkuchen biscuits (which she made and brought along).

Sounds like you will have lots of fun.