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Christmas

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

Original poster

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:
Squirrelblanket · 13/09/2025 07:37

My top tips have pretty much already been covered but I'll reiterate because of how useful I find them!

  • use disposable foil trays where you can. Less washing up after!
  • I make my own crackers using the kits you can buy. Last year I personalised them and the men got pin badges for their favourite football teams and me and my mum got a pair of earrings but you can use any small gifts.
  • I cook and slice the turkey on Christmas Eve. This one can be controversial but I dry brine the turkey first so it stays moist once reheated with gravy.
  • all veg prepped, chopped and in bags in the fridge on Christmas Eve.
FinallyHere · 13/09/2025 08:20

make a plan for everything working backwards from the end of the day

details to include for the meal include the dish in which it will be severed and where it will be placed on the table. Hour it will be kept warm/cold in the time between prep and it being served. What utensils required to serve

if you do that for everything g right back to when the raw materials are purchased and where how they are stored and when you are going to make the actual thing

you can make adjustments, balance the flavours, make sure you haven’t forgotten anything and be really

you also know what needs to be done so can allocate jobs to everyone else too.

You avoid forgetting anything, have to much one thing not enough of another, not having any there to serve something, and it’s all ready at the right time.

It will also encourage you to simplify and enjoy the process rather than being run ragged by it in the day.

enjoy.

Chocolatestain · 13/09/2025 08:54

I’ve thought of another one. Make sure you are well stocked with all the non-Christmas essentials, things like bread, milk, tea bags , loo roll. It’s easy to overlook them when you are focused on the Christmas stuff, but mo-one wants to be sclhlepping round looking for an open corner shop so everyone can have a cuppa on Christmas afternoon.

Allthings · 13/09/2025 10:18

Ophy83 · 10/09/2025 16:45

I usually go with normal pretty plates then make it Christmassy with flowers, crackers and napkins (I found some lovely hand embroidered ones a couple of years ago that now come out each year). Plus you could have gold napkin rings, gold edged wine glasses, lots of candles with gold candlesticks/tea light holders etc

This.

keep the crockery simple and build your theme up around it. We have always had a white set which goes with anything. Most serving dishes are easily available in white, or are only in white.

Allthings · 13/09/2025 10:30

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.

That would be unfair here as DH does most of the cooking.

A far better and less sexist rule is that whoever does the cooking is not responsible for clearing away or washing up.

Allthings · 13/09/2025 10:34

If you use disposable foil trays do not use them on their own for a pile of roasties or the meat as they are not very stable with a lot of weight in them. Plus they can easily be pierced. Use them as a liner for your normal roasting tins. I learnt that the hard way.

BiddyPopthe2nd · 13/09/2025 12:30

We have Denby imperial blue crockery (started as a few engagement gifts) and the Le Creuset blue dishes work well with that, the Le Creuset are great oven to tableware for sides. (Neither are cheap - but Denby has a factory shop and the boxed sets are often on reductions in large Dept stores). But because there’s a lot of white in the crockery, I have lots of plain white serving dishes and things like salt/pepper, which look coordinated. Ikea has great white wares. Actually, Ikea also has some nice blue things - I have some Gladelig plates and serving dishes, and I noticed a lovely white with blue spattered design plates last time I was there. My glasses for parties are also Ikea - I get 6 packs of the Svakla wine glasses and don’t get upset at breakages or going cloudy in the dishwasher, but can be stored in their boxes between big gatherings.

Remember to think about serving dishes and that you only plan to use each for 1 thing. (I once had to serve cereal bowls of peas because I forgot I was using that planned serving dish for carrot sticks and hummus when people arrived).

Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:45

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.

That’s it… I’m going to search for a hostess trolley now, amazing idea

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:45

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.
Edited

Brought a food warmer for £20 still in the box off market place because of this thread! So helpful

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:46

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.

I think I’m going to do cheese and crackers etc to pick at ? I can’t think of much else

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:46

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.

i haven’t looked on dunelm yet! Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:48

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.

I’m hosting for mil, fil and bil… only ever do 3 courses with the full works and mil is lovely but likes to drop in multiple digs at things 😩

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:50

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.

if you need royal blue bits https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=denby+blue&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_odkw=denby&_osacat=0

Denby set is beautiful, thank you!

yes I’ve made a list of serving things and cutlery etc that I’ll need…
still undecided if I’ll serve up or a help yourself situation… I think maybe help yourself?

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:50

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.

Ooooh this is a fantastic idea!! I already have one as well. Thank you :)

OP posts:
Chickslicky · 13/09/2025 16:51

I host a lot. Write a sequential timeline of what time things need to be put in the oven/ cooked and stick it on the fridge. Much easier to do in advance than during cooking.

Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:51

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.

I’ll be shoving absolutely everything in the dishwasher lol 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:52

Squirrelblanket · 13/09/2025 07:37

My top tips have pretty much already been covered but I'll reiterate because of how useful I find them!

  • use disposable foil trays where you can. Less washing up after!
  • I make my own crackers using the kits you can buy. Last year I personalised them and the men got pin badges for their favourite football teams and me and my mum got a pair of earrings but you can use any small gifts.
  • I cook and slice the turkey on Christmas Eve. This one can be controversial but I dry brine the turkey first so it stays moist once reheated with gravy.
  • all veg prepped, chopped and in bags in the fridge on Christmas Eve.

Disposable trays I am thinking of doing if I’m honest… as it’s only for one day

and also going to prep as much as I can in advance

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:53

FinallyHere · 13/09/2025 08:20

make a plan for everything working backwards from the end of the day

details to include for the meal include the dish in which it will be severed and where it will be placed on the table. Hour it will be kept warm/cold in the time between prep and it being served. What utensils required to serve

if you do that for everything g right back to when the raw materials are purchased and where how they are stored and when you are going to make the actual thing

you can make adjustments, balance the flavours, make sure you haven’t forgotten anything and be really

you also know what needs to be done so can allocate jobs to everyone else too.

You avoid forgetting anything, have to much one thing not enough of another, not having any there to serve something, and it’s all ready at the right time.

It will also encourage you to simplify and enjoy the process rather than being run ragged by it in the day.

enjoy.

Genius, thank you !

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:54

Allthings · 13/09/2025 10:18

This.

keep the crockery simple and build your theme up around it. We have always had a white set which goes with anything. Most serving dishes are easily available in white, or are only in white.

Show quote history

Yeah I think I am just going to do this, will probably be easier cost wise as well…

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 16:55

Allthings · 13/09/2025 10:34

If you use disposable foil trays do not use them on their own for a pile of roasties or the meat as they are not very stable with a lot of weight in them. Plus they can easily be pierced. Use them as a liner for your normal roasting tins. I learnt that the hard way.

I’ve brought an electric food warmer so using disposables as cooking trays is definitely something I’m going to do now I think

OP posts:
menopausalmare · 13/09/2025 17:00

Aunt Bessie is your friend.

Original poster
ThatGladSwan · 13/09/2025 17:00

menopausalmare · 13/09/2025 17:00

Aunt Bessie is your friend.

😂😂😂😂😂

OP posts:
Navigatinglife100 · 13/09/2025 17:29

If I only have cheap crackers with the right colourway I open one end by untying the ribbon and then put a lottery instant card in them or a nice small gift that won't kill anyone if it flys across the room, and re tie.

I never do starters as there's such a lot to eat anyway. Crisps and cocktails will do!

I prep what I can the night before.

Turkey I use the old Delia method where it comes out at about 11am stays hot enough when covered and then can get on with the rest.

We've got a bone china set we were given as a wedding present in the 90s, so that comes out for Christmas Day (and other rare occasions as its not dishwasher or microwave safe).

Allthings · 13/09/2025 17:34

Denby Imperial Blue is currently on offer, but it would be over £300 and probably nearer £400 for 6 place settings depending on what was purchased. 6 dinner plates would be over £100. Normal price is around £22 each. One of the downsides is that it is very thick and doesn’t fit that well in the dishwasher.

If looking more for a one off type thing (my blue christmas phase didn’t last long), have a google as quite a few come up at a much lower price point. Not sure what M&S have available as whilst not the cheapest they are normally reasonable value and decent quality. Habitat, and Dunelm may be worth looking at. Dunelm do a dark blue stonewear, but it may not be the right blue and its matt (noticed it whilst I was in there the other day). But personally I would stick with white.

Squirrelblanket · 13/09/2025 18:26

Yeah I never use the disposable trays for turkey or roasties as they are usually not robust enough. Ok for stuffing balls, pigs in blankets and roast veg though!