Xmas gathering - help with food

[Queenkong]

I have 10 adults coming over for an afternoon of festive drinks and a bit of food next weekend. What shall I make? I am pretty good in the kitchen, but have a 5 month old baby so time is limited, as is cash. Was thinking of buffet table with cheeses, meats, salad etc but can't think if what else to make it special.

Cheese, meat, salad etc. is always terrific. What makes it 'special' for me would be one centrepiece dish like a glazed ham or a dressed whole poached salmon, for example... something eyecatching. And also your decorations such as a seasonal flower arrangement or glossy table linen can turn a 'buffet' into a 'festive buffet' without too much effort.

You could turn cheese cubes and tomatoes into a Christmas tree shape (I'm doing this as it looks good - hopefully! - without much effort) here. And a fruit Christmas tree - one of those foam cones you get from knitting shops/florists with loads of fruit stuck in it and a piece of something cut into a star shape on the top.

Am also doing a tiered Christmas themed cupcakes/mince pies stand and probably something hot as well, although I've no idea what yet! Hope it goes well.

Ooh love the Xmas tree. Am definitely doing that, thank you.

Think I might go with a baked ham too, and make some sausage rolls. Do you think that sounds enough with some salads (a green one and some coleslaw) and a load of bread? plus nuts, crips, olives etc.

Sounds great. There's nothing nicer than a crispy home-made sausage roll. If your '10 adults' are friends of yours then they'll know you're a bit strapped for time and cash and won't be expecting you to rustle up swans carved out of ice & filled with caviar :) How about some mulled wine to get everyone in the party mood? I find if you get your guests nicely squiffy, you can serve beans on toast and they just don't care!

Mulled wine will be on offer. May also look into baileys hot chocolate with chocolate dipped candy canes as stirrers (RoseC hope you don't mind, also stole that idea from your pinterest board!)

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2793/christmas-pie Christmas Pie is always a big hit on our Boxing day spread.

I make it the week before Christmas eve, freeze it and then get it out Christmas eve to defrost in the fridge.

Then after our boxing day stroll to the pub walk, I can out it straight on the table with no fuss. We normally have quite a few friends and family over boxing day and everybody loves it.

So easy to make as well

Thanks moonlight, that looks lush too. Will add that to the list. Am getting quite excited now. Any ideas for easy dessert/sweet stuff? Was going to make brownies but am tempted just to go down the shop bought mince pie, stollen bite route.

I usually do a buffet type thing but this year I have decided to use my slow cooker and make beef casserole and then borrow a slow cooker and make a veggie chilli. Have a big vat of rice/ jacket pots and bread. So I can prep it all in the morning and only have a few bits to do as people drift in.

I don't have to worry about puds - the guests bring those.

And hopefully I will not be stuck in the kitchen for the day.