1st year hosting

[Ineedaholidayagain]

Last year my MIL found it a bit much to host Christmas day so we said we would do it. Hopefully our house rebuilding will be finished so we will be all set. This is my first time and it's just for the day as they live close. People wise will be us (2 adults, 2 teens), mil and fil (restricted diet for fil due to health) , potential sil and nephew if they come from abroad.
We have a conservatory and an 8 seater table, so dinner out there and rest of day in lounge. DH will be cooking and mil in law will do the Turkey.
I guess I need to dress the table, make sure there is alcohol for the drinkers (mil and me) and anything else?

Crackers (like the popping variety not the with cheese variety... although possibly those too...), pre dinner nibbles, plenty of cranberry sauce both for dinner and for leftovers, puddings and choccies, some nice drinks for the teens/non-drinkers (pop, but also maybe a shloer-y type thing where can have it in a wine glass with dinner), maybe have some family activities/games on backup if everyone needs some activities to pass the time.

Think about after dinner as well. Plenty of tea/coffee/milk/post dinner drinkies. If there's not enough sofa space in the lounge, maybe floor cushions etc for the teens to flop on. Don't rely on footstools being seats because in the post Christmas dinner coma everyone wants to be approaching horizontal and the first to sit down will put their feet up and then those who have been running around like crazy hosting, topping up glasses, stacking the dishwasher etc will then have nowhere to sit and will end up uncomfortably propped up on the floor. Last family Christmas we attended, we were polite helping clear/wash up to give the hosts a break and ended up sat on garden furniture... do not recommend.

Sofa space is a good shout, something to think about as you are right, no one wants to end up on the dining chairs all day.
Also need to check what my in laws put in tea as its not milk as I know they will need lots of cuppas!

What are you all going to do apart from eat? Can you arrange a quiz eg pictures of celebrities when they were young for people to identify or charades (we play for hours). How long will they be staying? Do you need to provide supper - if so aim for a finger buffet.

Entertainment: games, charades, films

crackers to pull

gifts?

dessert? A crumble is quick and easy. Or buy a couple nice desserts like a Yule log, cheeseboard etc.

I would always do a second round of food - either leftovers, turkey sandwiches, or loads of nibbles- cheeseboard, charcuterie, fruit.

drinks- you mention alcohol for the drinkers but you’ll want a nice selection for non drinkers? With snacks?

A plan that involves everyone who lives in your house pitching in to help with dishes, prep, entertaining, getting drinks on the day and doing a deep clean in the week before.

Also think about fridge space and prep space.

Some nice non alcoholic drinks are always good to have.

If you want to order food online, work out when christmas orders open for your local supermarket and what slot you want. Then make a diary note to book on the day the slots open. I always pick up bibs and bobs in the weeks leading up, just to spread the cost.

I’d see if everyone coming fancies doing a secret Santa for adults rather than presents for everyone, or just for kids/teens.

Thanks all, we already just do presents for kislds so that's OK. Mil loves playing charades and we have lots of card games so hopefully that's the entertainment.
They've never done starters in their house, just dinner and pud so will follow their lead. Good shout about tea as well, I'll need bread, ham, salad quiche stuff like that.
I'll get j 20 and sholur for none drinkers! I'll ask about pudding, ill get a Christmas one plus something fancy! Mil is making cake so that's sorted.