Quick poll on Christmas dinner starter please

[Anglepoise]

Hello wise folk of Mumsnet

DH and I are cooking Christmas dinner for my family this year (I am excited because it's DD's first Christmas and the first time we've hosted). Main will be traditional turkey + trimmings but could do with thoughts on the starter.

Options are:

• smoked salmon timbales (my personal favourite - would have to do alternative for DH and my brother (veggie/fish-hater) but that isn't a problem; smoked salmon might be a bit naff but I still think it's festive and nice and my family like it)

• feta and sundried tomato souffles (DH's suggestion, veggie so don't have to do an alternative, I think they might be a bit heavy before rest of heavy meal (?))

• some sort of soup (has the advantage of using our bowls rather than small plates which we'd then have to wash between starter and pudding or buy more, so is the sensible option, but I think it's a bit dull)

All can be done in advance so that isn't a factor (except I suppose that soup will require a pan and a hob, which might be a problem!).

Any advice/thoughts?

We never bother with starters on Christmas Day, on the basis that we will have had a very rich breakfast (usually smoked salmon and scrambled eggs), loads of Champagne and possibly more than enough chocolate!

And then after the main course there's also Christmas pudding, which means lots of room has to be available in the tummy.

And it makes life much easier.

Usually do pate and oatcakes, can be prepared earlier, kids can even do it if old enough.

Last year I did tomato and pesto pastry puffs. Not too big and all light and puffy. Served almost cold.

MIL often does prawn cocktail.

A bottle of good wine

we have smoked salmon,had timbales one yr but bit rich,think just sm.salmon,gorg granary bread and lots of english butter and lemon juice is v.easy to sort out and yum

i'd agree, have some sort of super nice nibble with glass of champagne beforehand, not starter. Lovely olives, crackers with smoked salmon and sour cream/veggie options etc - can do a bit beforehand and then just sling them round. Much more relaxed than formal starter, esp if you have to wash plates.

i love soup as a starter but not at Christmas, you need a ring on the hob just when all the others are occupied.

I'd do something very light & veggie then you don't need an alternative & it's not too heavy before the main. I tend to end up doing soup mind you but my advice would be light.

A bit naff, but I love melon with any small fruity accompaniment.

Like your thinking expat

muffinmum we often have smoked salmon on brown bread as a nibbly thing before dinner so want to make a change from that iyswim.

ClausImWorthIt (great name) we have dinner in the evening so breakfast not a factor (DH and I will prob have soup for lunch, mum and dad likewise, aunt and uncle service station food and as for my little brother, anyone's guess ...)

We will have nibbles too ... I tend to go slightly overboard

Melon is nice idea but will probably have the option of a fruit salad at the end - too much fruit?

I second Expats idea

Too big a dinner on xmas day to be having a starter imo.

No such thing as too much fruit IMO. Melon is good.

we have tesco extra special tom and basil fresh chilled soup. Can be frozen so no need to find room in fridge (let it defrost outside in garden), can be heated in microwave so no hob space needed. Delicious with cruusty garlic bread and huge dollop of thick cream

I do, asparagus wrapped in Serrano ham. Wrap a few spears of asparagus in ham, pour over melted butter, I add a bit of melted syrup too and bung in the oven. Bit old fashioned but everyone loves them in our house.

Im doing potedspiced crab with rocket lemon wedges and melba toast. Not to big or heavy nd can all be made the day before.

So is the quick answer none of my suggestions?

Asparagus sounds good too. Melon relies on finding good melon in December ... !

potted spiced crab

Sorry but you can't have asparagus in December.

It will be imported and will taste vile because it won't be fresh enough.

Same applies to melon!

We tend to have breakfast at about 9.00. We then set the table for dinner and then go to church for 11.00. Quick trip to the local, then back to the house for about 2.00 ish.

We then sit down and have our starters, then we stand up, straighten the table, go off and read or watch telvision, then we have our maincourse about 5.00/ 5.30 ish.

Works well for us.

I had quite a good melon today actually when out for lunch. The fruit salad for pudding is going to be highly unseasonal probably (not that we really have a pineapple season here ).

Dinner will be evening meal and can't spread it out too much as my parents will be bringing their mad puppy and don't want to stay too long - plus our house is too small for ten people to disperse in!

Sophy , I forgot to add that I am in Spain. Didn't think about op being in Uk.