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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Hosting for the first time! Advice pls

84 replies

ThatGladSwan · 10/09/2025 13:05

I’m hosting for the first time this year, there will be 6 adults and a 1 year old…
I’ve got a royal blue and gold theme, so anywhere that does nice tableware, dinnersets?

Good quality crackers, not the ones with the rubbish plastic things in ideally?

Doing 3 courses as that’s what we usually have, and I love cooking and hosting a good meal, a prawn cocktail start, 2 meats and trimmings, then a few desserts
Best places for xmas food and menu ideas appreciated🙏🏻

Any other tips and ideas to make it easier on the day or days leading up welcomed🤗

OP posts:
ThatGladSwan · 10/09/2025 18:02

Thesonofaphesantplucker · 10/09/2025 16:59

Anything you can prep well in advance and freeze, do. I have found that when you are prepping in the days leading up to Christmas, you seem to spend days and days just cooking and chopping and peeling, and miss out on the lovely fun with the children.

ideally on Christmas Day, you will be literally moving things from one place to another, rather than hard core cooking.

This is what I’m aiming for, a smooth sailing Xmas day!

OP posts:
ThatGladSwan · 10/09/2025 18:16

Cravey · 10/09/2025 17:00

We host every year, sometimes as many as 19. Plan ahead, make lists, prep all that you can, those foil throw away trays are a life saver, I know it’s not environmentally friendly but it’s once a year. Make sure you take any help you can, totally agree with the buffet warmer thing, we have 2 they are so so helpful. Have fun.

Thanks! 🤗

OP posts:
ThatGladSwan · 10/09/2025 18:16

Cravey · 10/09/2025 17:01

Also should tell you we use white plates and jazz the table up with flowers and napkins. So much easier.

Is there anywhere that does really nice ones?

OP posts:
ThatGladSwan · 10/09/2025 18:17

flatfelled · 10/09/2025 17:06

I put a few Celebrations or Quality Street in those cracker kits ( or try shoving some in pre bought). No plastic tat & everyone likes getting chocolates!

Ooo good idea!

OP posts:
ThatGladSwan · 10/09/2025 18:17

Newjobnewclothes · 10/09/2025 17:06

Is the 1 year old yours?

If so, will they happily be entertained by others or are they likely to need you at some point? Make sure you have a plan for this (either someone else with specific responsibility for looking after the one year old, and/or someone to step in if you're called away to look after them) so you're not left literally holding the baby while also trying to cook.

My partner will be helping with the little one, as well as family 😁

OP posts:
ThatGladSwan · 10/09/2025 18:18

JDM625 · 10/09/2025 17:48

I already posted upthread. The rolled, deboned turkey I mentioned, I can't find the exact recipe, but here is another of hers. https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/turkey_breast_stuffed_43707

If you are doing yorkshires with the beef, make the mixture a day ahead and keep in the fridge.

For dessert, you mentioned having a few. I'd have something cold like a trifle and something hot like a crumble, hot Christmas pudding, sticky toffee pudding etc with custard/ice cream.

Hot and cold desserts, definitely going to do this!

OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 10/09/2025 18:33

Think about serving dishes - have you got the right size / enough?

Also, I do a dry run with the oven off and simulate all the trays / dishes Ill need to put in and when to make sure it all fits!

Then I make a detailed plan of what goes in the oven when, in what tray and what it’s then served in.

eg. 3.20 pigs in blankets out into large white dish, yorkies in - muffin tin

No brain required on the day!

Cravey · 10/09/2025 19:09

ThatGladSwan · 10/09/2025 18:16

Is there anywhere that does really nice ones?

We bought ours from ikea. Just simple white plates.

77Fee · 10/09/2025 19:15

I like Zara home for tableware.

Are your guests staying over? Cause that adds an extra level of preparedness needed.

ThatGladSwan · 10/09/2025 20:46

77Fee · 10/09/2025 19:15

I like Zara home for tableware.

Are your guests staying over? Cause that adds an extra level of preparedness needed.

Oh no! Just for the day😂

OP posts:
OMGitsnotgood · 11/09/2025 09:48

Some of these already mentioned, but I’ll repeat as a sort of ‘vote’

Prep and freeze as much as possible ahead. For me, this includes cranberry sauce; bread sauce; stuffing; red cabbage; carrot and swede mashed together, Delia’s Parmesan parsnips, sausages from our butcher wrapped in bacon before freezing. I have also started blanching and freezing sprouts end November/early December when they are at their plumpest. They get gradually smaller towards Christmas, I guess they are harvested increasingly early to meet demand. They can be cooked from frozen. If we are having cauliflower cheese (not routinely as I think there is enough going on but have a family member who wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t make it, so we have it if they are coming), I make it the day before as I don’t feel it tastes as good from frozen (I know many people don’t agree, just my view).

Gravy: I am personally happy with Bisto with the turkey juices added, especially for big numbers. But if you want homemade, consider Jamie Oliver’s make ahead gravy using chicken wings. I have made it once, didn’t add all the spices he suggests but it’s a good base recipe. Or if you want ‘proper’ gravy, I’d buy it!

We have an electric steamer which is really helpful when cooking for big numbers, I also have a traditional steamer with two steamer pans from way back before electric ones were available. I use one for steaming the pudding (which I will make soon).

A tip I picked up off MN years ago was that the turkey can rest comfortably for a couple of hours, cover with foil and a couple of towels.

Re crockery: I prefer to eat off white plates. I have a set of plates I keep for entertaining/Christmas. Table cloth/runner/napkins/candles etc provide the colour theme rather than the plates.

B&M crackers are usually decent quality, with non-tat content. I’ve seen crackers with very similar content in M&S & John Lewis for triple the price. Regardless where you get them from, if you go for gold, you could buy ribbon in your theme and wrap around the ‘nipped’ ends

Christmas Evening we always just have cheese, patenand crackers. And our butcher’s lovely pork pies. Easy to assemble and enjoyed by most people. And lots of chocolates, Christmas cake and pork pie.
Having said I prefer eating off white plates, for the above I would be happy to eat off festive paper plates.

Christmas Dinner creates a lot of washing up. It’s the one time I would use disposable foil trays for potatoes and veg etc (although I prefer a more solid tray for the turkey)

Possibly not an issue if you’re only entertaining for the day, but double check you’ve enough kitchen roll, toilet roll, spare hand towels for the bathroom, tea, coffee, milk etc

ThatGladSwan · 11/09/2025 10:45

OMGitsnotgood · 11/09/2025 09:48

Some of these already mentioned, but I’ll repeat as a sort of ‘vote’

Prep and freeze as much as possible ahead. For me, this includes cranberry sauce; bread sauce; stuffing; red cabbage; carrot and swede mashed together, Delia’s Parmesan parsnips, sausages from our butcher wrapped in bacon before freezing. I have also started blanching and freezing sprouts end November/early December when they are at their plumpest. They get gradually smaller towards Christmas, I guess they are harvested increasingly early to meet demand. They can be cooked from frozen. If we are having cauliflower cheese (not routinely as I think there is enough going on but have a family member who wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t make it, so we have it if they are coming), I make it the day before as I don’t feel it tastes as good from frozen (I know many people don’t agree, just my view).

Gravy: I am personally happy with Bisto with the turkey juices added, especially for big numbers. But if you want homemade, consider Jamie Oliver’s make ahead gravy using chicken wings. I have made it once, didn’t add all the spices he suggests but it’s a good base recipe. Or if you want ‘proper’ gravy, I’d buy it!

We have an electric steamer which is really helpful when cooking for big numbers, I also have a traditional steamer with two steamer pans from way back before electric ones were available. I use one for steaming the pudding (which I will make soon).

A tip I picked up off MN years ago was that the turkey can rest comfortably for a couple of hours, cover with foil and a couple of towels.

Re crockery: I prefer to eat off white plates. I have a set of plates I keep for entertaining/Christmas. Table cloth/runner/napkins/candles etc provide the colour theme rather than the plates.

B&M crackers are usually decent quality, with non-tat content. I’ve seen crackers with very similar content in M&S & John Lewis for triple the price. Regardless where you get them from, if you go for gold, you could buy ribbon in your theme and wrap around the ‘nipped’ ends

Christmas Evening we always just have cheese, patenand crackers. And our butcher’s lovely pork pies. Easy to assemble and enjoyed by most people. And lots of chocolates, Christmas cake and pork pie.
Having said I prefer eating off white plates, for the above I would be happy to eat off festive paper plates.

Christmas Dinner creates a lot of washing up. It’s the one time I would use disposable foil trays for potatoes and veg etc (although I prefer a more solid tray for the turkey)

Possibly not an issue if you’re only entertaining for the day, but double check you’ve enough kitchen roll, toilet roll, spare hand towels for the bathroom, tea, coffee, milk etc

Parmesan parsnips! I’ve got to look at that recipe they sound incredible…
Definitely going to prep in advanced too

I think I’m going to get some white plates and spruce them up like others have also said

someone said cheese and crackers in the day while cooking to release pressure… so things like that will be out already if I do that? Undecided haha

Foil trays are the way to go I think, I want to spend the least amount of time in the kitchen so if I can reduce washing up then that’s good

OP posts:
Chocolatestain · 12/09/2025 18:31

A lot of my suggestions have already been mentioned so are definitely well tried and tested!

I buy fillablle crackers, pop wrapped liqueur chocolates in them and pimp them with some pretty ribbon. Zero tat and all the paper bits are recyclable.

Prep and freeze as much you can well in advance. I parboil the spuds and toss them in a little oil and pop them in the fridge on Christmas Eve so they are ready to go straight in the oven. I.believe you can freeze them parboiled, but I’ve usually run out of space in the freeze.

I had the most fabulous Mother’s Day present this year. 12 year old DS overhead me discussing Christmas with a friend. I had quite a crowd last year and was saying how I wished I’d had one of those proper old-fashioned hostess trollies. DS went on EBay and found one he could afford with his pocket money so I am now the proud owner of a genuine 1970s hostess trolley 😁. I am very much looking forward to the extra warming space this Christmas. I think it only cost him about £20.

VictoriaSponge987 · 12/09/2025 18:34

Top tips:

  • think about the other meals you are hosting and either make something like lasagne, curry to stick in the freezer or plan for a takeaway. Easy to focus on the Xmas meal and forget the others!
  • Agree with food warmer and cooing meat first.
  • when people say what can they bring, tell them precisely. Either stuff that saves times or stuff that saves you cash (hosting is expensive).
  • Do it your way to suit you and your family. Timings, meals etc. it’s your house.
  • Straight up tell people to help themselves to drinks. That way you will do a lot less running around.
  • Accept help with childcare, prep, washing up etc.
BeMellowAquaSquid · 12/09/2025 18:49

Have things out to pick at. I love hosting. We hate it when we go to my sisters she never allows anyone to pick at anything or hover in the kitchen until we sit down. My house is a free for all everyone in my kitchen, hands in the pigs in blankets. I don’t think anyone’s really hungry by the time we sit down but I love it. I love the chaos and the fun. No one wants a regimented day. Prep as much as you can a week before and shove it in the freezer. It’s your day as much as anyone else’s and really is just a pimped up roast dinner. Charity shops and vinted or marketplace for decorations.

BeMellowAquaSquid · 12/09/2025 18:50

Chocolatestain · 12/09/2025 18:31

A lot of my suggestions have already been mentioned so are definitely well tried and tested!

I buy fillablle crackers, pop wrapped liqueur chocolates in them and pimp them with some pretty ribbon. Zero tat and all the paper bits are recyclable.

Prep and freeze as much you can well in advance. I parboil the spuds and toss them in a little oil and pop them in the fridge on Christmas Eve so they are ready to go straight in the oven. I.believe you can freeze them parboiled, but I’ve usually run out of space in the freeze.

I had the most fabulous Mother’s Day present this year. 12 year old DS overhead me discussing Christmas with a friend. I had quite a crowd last year and was saying how I wished I’d had one of those proper old-fashioned hostess trollies. DS went on EBay and found one he could afford with his pocket money so I am now the proud owner of a genuine 1970s hostess trolley 😁. I am very much looking forward to the extra warming space this Christmas. I think it only cost him about £20.

I love my hostess trolley!!! Such a winning idea.

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 12/09/2025 18:55

Dunelm for crockery, I got an off white scalloped set last year and am going to get more this year. Then I just decorated in a pale green and gold.

Peculiah · 12/09/2025 19:14

I like to find out what each of my guests idea of “it wouldn’t be Christmas without - ?” so that I can hit their high point, make them feel included, and also let myself off the hook, if no one is actually bothered about eg parsnips, or what have you.

Weepixie · 12/09/2025 19:18

@had the gravy ready to go in one slow cooker and cauliflower cheese in the other@

that sounds interesting. How did you manage it pls. Did you cook it then transfer it to the slow cooker or Maldives it in the slow cooker then put it under the oven to grill.

Tryonemoretime · 12/09/2025 20:00

We have hosted nearly every year since our children were small - usually with both sets of parents staying over from Christmas Eve while they were alive. We used to eat around 2, but what with present opening, church service etc everything felt very hectic. Then I decided to change things. We'd have cheeses, smoked salmon, bread rolls and Christmas cake for lunch - with a bottle of fizz to wash it all down and we'd eat turkey etc at 6.30. Somehow it works brilliantly. The morning is super relaxed. We go for an early afternoon walk after putting the turkey in the oven and we (I) have a glass of wine whilst preparing dinner. Sometimes I ask for help, but everyone knows I'd rather have the kitchen to myself while listening to Christmas carols. Then I let everyone else clear up. It's relaxing and works for me.

TheSandgroper · 13/09/2025 05:09

Count all your cooking sources now. Oven, grill, m/w, slow cookers, air fryer, bbq.

Count all your serving spoons, forks, tongs now.

Will you serve plates in the kitchen or have a help yourself on the table? Count your serving platters. If you are running short, trips to the charity shops will often get you plain white platters which are good as they keep your food as the focus.

How much fridge and freezer space do you have? The one thing you need is safe food so keeping things properly cold comes first. Everything else is secondary.

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MannyTeddy · 13/09/2025 06:06

Someone mentioned having hob space on the day, we had our kitchen renovated 4 years ago and bought an electric hob with 2 burners for £20 from Argos (for a makeshift kitchen in our living room), so that could be an option.
We also have an extra fridge freezer from my late dad's house in our garage too. A slow cooker for mulled wine, which fills the house with a wonderful smell. 🥰 Good luck with everything.

sashh · 13/09/2025 06:35

HappySpade · 10/09/2025 16:02

Make sure to not exceed your stovetop’s burner capacity- I’ve finally learned my lesson

I have an electric steamer, it fits loads of veg in it.

I don't do Christmas but when I do a roast I cook the meat in the slow cooker, the veg in the streamer and leave the oven for roast potatoes (and maybe parsnips) and Yorkshire pudding.

MrsMoastyToasty · 13/09/2025 06:48

The rule at my parents and one I have continued in my own home is that the menfolk do the clearing away and washing up.