Ideas for a Christmas Buffet

[SparklingGlitteryWine]

Hello all. We (me husband and 2 children) are currently living in Temporary Accommodation which is a very small flat, no room for a table anywhere and really tiny kitchen. We are feeling a bit down in the dumps as we were recently offered a lovely new home and it unfortunately fell through and we back on the bidding list and playing the waiting game again. I do understand we are incredibly fortunate not to be on the streets, but because a big Christmas Roast Dinner is impossible for us this year, I'd like to do a special buffet to lift my family's spirits this year. I'd love a bit of inspiration to make something a bit special please. I know I could Google but I'd love to hear ideas with a personal touch. Thank you x

Bless your heart

could you go out for lunch??

or if you’re doing a buffet I’d still get loads of festive bits - Iceland have tonnes of great bits, pigs in blankets and all sorts most of it goes in the air fryer too. I’d get some Christmas crackers too xx

Let the children decide! It’s just one day, who cares if they eat a few things you would usually frown upon. Get them to list their favourite foods and if it’s just a buffet of different cereals they’ll have a great time due to the novelty of it all.

One of the best holiday meals I ever had was cooked over a campfire in the middle of a desert and eaten sitting on the sand. You need to start by asking yourself what matters most to you

Could you do dinner out? There are lots of cheaper options such as Toby Carvery.

If it were me, I would go buy a garish Christmas tablecloth to use as a picnic blanket. Then I would make a meal of lots of little appetizers and put on Christmas movies while we eat.

Just do yours and your kids favourite dishes, even if they are ready meals

I used to spend Christmas Day alone whilst now DH went home to have a Christmas with his children. I bloody loved it. Snack food, cheeses, wines, - I had mince pie for breakfast and attacked the cheese at 2am and no one to care

I was very partial to a curry back then and living in the city, curry houses were open and if I fancied one at 3pm - off I trotted.

Do you and yours, no need for strangers input, you know what you all like

You can get really cute shaped buns from Sainsbury’s and M&S like snowmen and reindeers etc. definitely v festive and fun!

How old are the children? What are their favourites? I’d go with their requests with a few traditional bits thrown in. Pigs in blankets, mini Brie and cranberry toasties, mince pies etc I’d definitely get some crackers to make it feel festive.

I think to be honest this sounds better than cooking a big old roast! Get the kids to choose. Get some festive paper plates and napkins / crackers. I think I may be joining you on this one x

What really matters is we aren't on the streets as it was not an easy task getting help from the council and we very nearly didn't. Our old house was sold by the landlord and we used to really go all out, lights and decorations out the front etc and lights up the staircase etc, and it's going to be very very different this year, and I know those things aren't what is important and we aren't on the streets or in a homeless shelter or some grotty hostel sharing a bathroom and kitchen and that makes us more fortunate than many. I have 2 girls my eldest is 13 and my youngest is 4, and my eldest daughter has been such a superstar and this year she will be part of the magic for her little sister. Hopefully next Christmas we will be in our forever home, we were crushed when our offer fell through. Sorry about the life story. I'm saying it's to keep my family's spirits up, mine too I suppose. It's only one day right? x

13 and 4, both girls. I think the 13 year old is looking forward to being part of the magic for her little sister

Saves all the faffing and prepping and washing up afterwards, as we currently don't have a dishwasher x

We were considering going out for lunch on Christmas Eve, depending on cost

I agree with letting your kids choose and if that means pizza and smilies then thats what it is

Who knows, a random buffet of all their favourite foods on the living room floor might end up being one of their most memorable Christmas dinners ever!.

Just have what ever you want & feels right for your family. You can still make it magical and fun

Lots of fairy lights hopefully

Make a Nutella Christmas tree with them. Yummmy and festive!

Last year DH and I (DD was with her dad) just did picky bits all day, and stayed in our pyjamas in front of the telly - was bloody lovely.

Pigs in blankets are a must, stuffing balls if your family like them, grab some roasties (they do goose fat ones that can be put in the oven/airfryer at Xmas) and some nice gravy to dip them in, ditto with Yorkshires for the oven/airfryer (maybe pop a couple of pigs in blankets in them once cooked with a spoonful or 2 of gravy and a dash of cranberry sauce over the top?), nice crusty french stick with cheeses and chutneys and some cooked meats (rotisserie chicken or cooked ham - Tesco do a pre cooked honey baked ham joint for about £6). Maybe let the kids choose the desserts; one of my fave parts of Christmas is "window shopping" with the various supermarket Christmas food brochures - maybe sit down with them and let them pick some mini desserts/chocolates/whatever takes their fancy out?

Throw as many blankets, cushions, duvets and pillows into the living room - put the food on the coffee table/on a blanket and have a cozy christmas picnic!

Really hope you have a lovely, memorable Christmas and that 2027 brings you so much luck.

Stock up on frozen nibbles a bit each week. Tesco does 3 for 2 and aldi party nibbles are great.

Also chocs and crisps etc. Its Xmas so its fine to have chocolate for breakfast haha.

My daughter is very fussy when it comes to food etc so we are more than happy to give her pizza for Xmas lol

Maybe make turkey and cranberry sandwiches? Or brie, bacon and cranberry.

A mix of sweet and savoury woule be good. Like having chocolate croissants and mince pies as well as other picky bits.

I saw a recipe for sausage rolls but with cranberry sauce and Brie in the pastry around the sausage meat. Super festive flavours and easy to make in advance and just heat up on the day.

Wondering if a Gin for my breakfast is pushing my luck haha x

Thank you so much x

I would honestly love that. Thats a proper core memory right there.

This is the winning menu!!

I also second using paper plates and napkins to save on the washing up in this instance.

Now craving pigs in blankets and gravy 😋