Small intimate Christmas meal and canapes

[Maloneyb]

Posted this elsewhere but no traction!

Dh and I have agreed to do Christmas just us and the kids this year (I’m due any moment for baby #2) and have a 2 year old.

We’re having parents and siblings over for “canapes” for a couple hours (and to do pressures) but then will have dinner just us.
I'm actually so excited about it.

I want a special dinner but nothing too onerous for either of us. Usually I do the turkey and roasties myself and it’s always so nice. But I’m concerned my hands will be full with the two babies!

can you give me some nice ideas for:
-easy canapes (frozen and stick in oven are totally fine)
-what you would cook and serve for dinner (your musts and non-negotiables)
-a really nice bottle of wine we can share - we both prefer red wine:)

anything else I should consider?

If you’ll have a newborn will you want to cook? Maybe a really nice roast chicken with all the trimmings? Or steak and chips? Can DH cook instead? Or even a really nice take away?

canapés wise M&S have some great ones
wine — I always love Primitivo :)

How about duck as there is only two big people on the day for Christmas lunch. One already prepared in a sauce or whatever - M&S/Waitrose etc.

Also as someone else said M&S for Canapes. I don't think you should be expected to stand up in the kitchen for any length of time really!. Make it as easy on yourself as you can!!

I'd do this traybake. It's so easy and saves on washing up www.coop.co.uk/recipes/christmas-dinner-traybake

I would go into Marks & Spencer's and buy the canapés and freeze some.

They have some lovely ones there.

Delia Smith's mini savoury scones can be made ahead and frozen. You can buy those little canape shells and fill them yourself - use ready cooked prawns, etc. Buy cocktail blinis and served with smoked salmon and cream cheese, etc. Then mix in some things from the supermarket and you'll have a good selection.

I would do something non traditional you can make in advance like lasagne and garlic bread. Or precook a turkey crown or ham and have a festive grazing buffet for the three of you.

This is what I’m going to do for sure. Thank you 😊

My fear would be that people would come for canapes and not leave, using up your whole day.

Why not FaceTime and have them over on Boxing Day instead?

Oh I know.. I have that fear too lol
my dh said he will make it clear they have an allotted slot 😅😂 and know in advance..

@Forgottenmyphone the ingredients list on that is hilarious. It serves 4 but lists ingredients as 1 parsnip, 6 new potatoes, 1 carrot etc

When are you planning to eat? I imagine that with a two year old you will want to keep their routine as near normal as possible. So I think I would have a family lunch, the three of you ( plus baby of course) and keep it simple, choose something that you all like which can be bought in or prepared well beforehand. Leave room for a bit of sofa surfing chocolate and stollen in the afternoon .

Then plan for an adults only meal ( probably plus baby, but hopefully without the 2 year old) in the evening. Make it special, but easy, a starter, perhaps smoked salmon, then steak and chips, or duck breast with roast potatoes and vegetables , grilled fish etc . Then lots of lovely cheese and biscuits.

Make sure you set the table beautifully so that it looks like a celebration meal , a cloth, candles, Polish the cutlery and wine glasses, a centre piece maybe. If you have the energy then change into something special and not baby sicked - or get into your jammies of you are feeling exhausted

Upgrade a bit from the normal wine you buy, so if you normally get a merlot at about £7.50, buy one costing a tenner instead. Or just stick to the one you like, I tend to go for yellow tail brand, they are reliably good and easy to spot on the supermarket shelf without having to read labels.

For the canapés decent supermarket shove in the oven canapés are the easy way, don’t go too crazy, your visitors will be gearing up for their Christmas lunch. Prosecco is the easiest drink to serve, with some soft drinks for kids and drivers.

Have a lovely day.

Thank you for the lovely thoughtful post @viques
lots to think about

My very easy, very special ( rather expensive!) meal for two would be a 500g piece of chateaubriand, (sear in a pan ahead of time to create a crust) with a salsa verde (make ahead and keep in fridge), and a dish of dauphinoise potatoes, also baked a day or two in advance. On the day, heat the oven to 200c, put potatoes in to reheat and after 10 mins, stick the beef in for 15 mins for medium rare. Steam a green veg, slice the chateaubriand and drizzle with the salsa verde.