First Christmas hosting/at home

[AlexisP90]

So this year we have decided to stay home. Me, DS (2.5 years old) and DP.

DPs parents go abroad and we usually go to my mums but I really want us to have it at home. Mum wouldn't come to us as it's too far for her to travel (2 hours) and she has my brothers still living at home and they definitely wouldn't come.

My mum is now not talking to me. I'm really annoyed but I'm putting my foot down. Last year was too sad with DS opening presents then being whisked away on a 2 hr drive.

Anyway. That's the boring history. I've made a list of what we need and booked my Xmas delivery slot and desperately trying to be prepared.

My question for mumsnet is what snacks/nibbles do you get in? It's only the 3 of us (might be 4 with DPs friend who is alone) but I have mince pies and chocolate so far on the list...

Also what am I guaranteed to forget?

Go for your life on non-perishables but I wouldn’t go mad on meat and fruit and veg for 3/4 of you.

One time I cooked for 3 meat eaters on Xmas day and made a Guinea fowl and it was the perfect amount.

It's always the bits like napkins, bin bags, foil etc that get forgotten.

Check with friend no dietary requirements

Savoury nibbles as well as sweet - even if its just pringles

Don''t need to go overboard

We have a similar set up to you. We’ve ordered the Turkey crown in a silver tray from M&S! Cheaper than a ‘proper’ turkey and much more convenient for just a few people.

We’ll probably have some M&S bake at home pastries for breakfast along with buck fizz. Christmas lunch at 3pm ish, and then we’ll just snack on Christmas goodies in the evening! No need to do anything extra in the evening when it’s so few people.

We always like to have a nice selection of alcohol in (stuff to make mojitos, Buck’s Fizz and a couple of other drinks we like, and also a nice selection of soft drinks that we wouldn’t necessarily buy all year round.

It's just a roast dinner. Do your normal list, add some Twiglets and disposable trays if you cba washing up.

When we've had Christmas for 3 weeks do something other than turkey. We've had Peking roast duck with the pancakes etc, last year we had Indian style roast lamb and sides from our favourite takeaway ( delivery Christmas Eve)

The problem with having a small dinner is the risk of over catering. We had curry again boxing day and a little the day after.

Thanks all. I am a little bit concerned I'll go too OTT but trying to reign it in.

Have got a turkey in a tray on order as agree a whole turkey for 3/4 of us is too much.

Really excited though. Still need to figure out breakfast and such and I'm sure I'll be exhausted come 3pm...

Really excited though. Still need to figure out breakfast and such and I'm sure I'll be exhausted come 3pm...

For breakfast we just have bacon butties and Bucks Fuzz while we open our pressies.

Do you like fruit cake! If so, now is the time time to bake the Christmas cake.

Ooo I like the idea of bacon butties and bucks fizz!
Easy, yummy and perfect to munch at while opening presents.

Breakfast is bacon rolls for us as well.

Christmas dinner happens at variable times depending on when I have finished making it.

Nibbles - Lidl has their Christmas offering in now. We've already bought more random Christmas shite than we could possibly need.

We don't have breakfast as we tend to eat around 1pm and want to be as empty as possible. 😂

We get frozen buffet food in for a boxing day buffet. It's handy if we end up with people visiting as suits most people, even if it is very beige.

I usually get nice cheeses, posh crisps, chocolates but that's about it. We don't go mad.

You'll definitely need some savoury nibbles OP. Some salted peanuts perhaps and some fancy crisps and dips. If you like cheese get a few really nice cheeses in with some crackers and chutney. It's an easy and very agreeable snack. I also usually get some of those part baked baguettes in so you've got nice warm bread to serve with cold meat on boxing day.

Your DS will be the age to “get it” and the little things mean a lot to small DC.
I don’t know how you feel about Dec1st Boxes/ Christmas Eve Boxes/ Christmas Pyjamas/ The Elf on the Shelf .
If you don’t/ if you do it’s up to you.

I did the boxes and still do a Dec 1st and mine are in their 20s 😄
Even something like a fleece blanket and some winter if not Christmas pyjamas , they’ll get used .

For breakfast some Christmas tree crumpets or pancakes cut into shapes . I used to do milkshake in those small glass bottles that were popular then.
Though i had to wrap my DS sandwich in foil with star stickers and tell him Action Man sent them 🤣

And in our house Yorkshire Puddings. I make them but have a bagel of Aunt Bessie’s in reserve