What's a Great Menu for Christmassy Dinner Party for 8?

[CDMforever]

Will probably do a lamb tagine for the main course with rice or couscous. Though not sure what I could serve with it.....roasted veggies or salad??

Thought I'd do an eton mess type dessert. Very easy!

NO IDEA for starter, spose it should be something quite light cos of heavy main and dessert. Any ideas for an exciting salad??

I haven't entertained in about 3 years because of LOs and worrying if they would wake up etc. Now they are older and (hurrah!) DS will be going to nana's for a sleepover which only leaves DD who sleeps like a log (famous last words!)

Other questions for seasoned hosts.......

Want to have crackers but how could I make them a bit more exciting??Thought about putting scratchcards in them?? Any other ideas?

What games might be fun to play afterwards? The guests all know each other but not incredibly well so something thats funny would be good.

Call me old fashioned but, much as I love Lamb Tagine and Eton Mess, I wouldn't call them Christmassy exactly . It doesn't have to be turkey but could you 'winter it up' a little with some seasonal spices? A warming soup like Carrot and Coriander can be prepped in advance.... a Herb/Garlic-Crusted Roast Leg of Lamb with Braised Red Cabbage with Apples will sit in the oven until needed.... something like Pears Poached in Red Wine with Cinammon for dessert?

Scratchcards in crackers sounds original! Games afterwards, there's always good old charades...

If you're happy to go out and buy a new game then this is good fun.

Tagine/Eton Mess might not be Christmassy but sound lovely. this is a lovely tagine, but maybe you have your own recipe. Good with this couscous. Sides- I like green beans with lamb, would perhaps do a mix of green veg - beans/sugar snap peas/mangetout. I'm personally not a big fan of soup before a stew, but that's just me. I know some people don't like canapes, but I sometimes prefer to do that with drinks rather than have a starter. Otherwise, perhaps do a nice refreshing salad starter?

I like the game where you stick the name of a famous person/character on everyone's forehead without their seeing it (someone else does it for you) then they have to ask questions to find out who it is. The same person keeps asking questions til they get a "no" then move on. Charades can also be a laugh with the right people. Not everyone likes games though.

cogito the lamb sounds gorgeous, I just feel more confident doing my old tried and trusted tagine - maybe I'll adorn it with a few pomegranate seeds to christmas it up!

NBEE that game looks good!

lilo, Wow" Thanx both those recipes sound lush, I've printed them both off.

Not keen on dates though, do you think I could use dried apricots instead? If not, what would be a good substitute?

Like the idea of the green veg too.

Yes I was thinking along the lines of a nice fresh salad to start, any ideas??

Sorry to be so needy, as I say its been a looooooong time!!

apricots would be fine, or dried prunes.

Re salads, gosh, there are so many!! I sometimes just think: what ingredients would complement the main course and wack em together on a plate! Maybe something fishy - tuna or salmon - or a Greek salad? Or you could do fig and prosciutto ...

Fig and prosciutto sounds lovely with dark green leaves, avocado maybe??

I'd do a massive pavlova instead of eton mess. Use some cranberries/blueberries to look a bit festive. It looks a bit prettier.

That does sound nice though I've never actually made a pavlova before and would worry it would taste eggy!

My eton mess is like this, start with M and S summer fruit compote (if they still do it!) then top with fresh whipped cream mixed with some toasted oats, honey and whisky with a few bits of meringue on top.

Not a classic eton mess I know. Thinks its actually called something like Cranich or summat!