Christmas on Sunday

[monkeysmama]

I have dp's family coming over on Sunday to celebrate Christmas.

I am dreading it. They are the most pessimistic, depressing bunch and most of them have food issues (which is why I am hosting and refusing to put us through another appalling meal at theirs!)

I am cooking for his parents, his nan, his sister & her dp, their 2 LOs (4 & 5) and dp, myself and our 18mo dd.

I am cooking NIgella's gammon in coke, a rib of beef, and all the trimmings. I am making a panna cotta for dessert and have shop bought chocolate souffle, ice cream, Christmas pudding and brandy butter. It is all arriving tomorrow.

However, I am going out as soon as it arrives to have my hair cut, have lunch with my mum and then go and party with my sister celebrating her 30th.

So, what can I do tomorrow in the 2 or 3 hours I am home to make Sunday easier? They're coming over about 12 .

What other than food do I need to worry about?

TIA - I need help on this one.

Hmmm...think you can do the ham in coke in advance but am not sure of cooking times. How competent in the kitchen is your DH? Could he oversee if need be?

Prep veg - brussels, carrots, parsnips, etc.

You can even go as far as parboiling potatoes for roasting. Just keep them covered in the fridge overnight, then bring to room temp, fluff up the edges and roast as normal.

Set table, make sure cutlery is polished/glasses are clean, etc.

Send your DH off to sort drinks and make sure bubbly is chilled.

Sounds like a feast - they are lucky to have you as a family member!

Sorry - didn't realise you are going out as it arrives. Can you arrange an earlier delivery time? Failing that, do table settings and sort drinks.

Thanks!

I'll be back for few hours in afternoon & hope I can do gammon then. Good idea to involve dp. I'll get him to prep all veg etc.