First Christmas Hosting

hadjab

We usually have between 20-30 people for Christmas day, with another 20 or so on Boxing day - both hubby and I come from big families!

For Christmas day, we will have a variety of meats, birds, fish etc - the rule is if you're coming over, you have to cook at least one item of food and bring it with you. My mum will usually do the turkey, I'll do a lamb roast, one of the sisters will do gammon, another will do salmon, an aunty will do one set of veg, cousins will bring up the rear with desserts! there's no shame in using frozen tatties and veggies, or gravy granules added to the meat juices .Boxing day consists of cold cuts from the leftovers, with some fresh bits added. My number one tip is to kick off Christmas morning with a Bucks Fizz or two, and relax! What's the worst thing that can happen?

ciderwithrosie_2

Lidl have got disposable foil trays at the moment 79p for two, they are a good size for your pigs in blankets, roast parsnips, stuffing balls etc.


We cook our ham the day before (boiled in cola, then glazed in the oven), then the turkey on the day. Dessert and mince pies made the day before but prep all veg and extras in the morning. Doesn't seem to take too long, although the free flowing mulled wine probably helps!

Sharon87

It's interesting reading other people's views on Christmas dinner. Personally I wouldn't want pre made roast potatoes on Christmas day, but I don't mind the stuffing being Paxo where you just add water.

I think cooking the turkey before everything else is a good idea. It's one big thing out of the way.

For timings I would do a list like:
Eat at: 4pm
Serve up at 3:50pm
Boil peas: 3:40pm
Boil carrots: 3:30pm
Put stuffing in: 3:20pm
Get partner to set table/do some dishes: 3:20pm

etc, etc

Work out how long each item takes to cook and make a list, that way you can keep on top of things.

partialycloudy

I ordered my turkey yesterday...had to order it from Sainsburys...had wanted to order it from an independent butcher or farmer but there delivery/collection times would not work as I will be working up to xmas day!
I started writing a list of things to do and got a bit overwhelmed so have whittled down my "homemade" list so it will be a bit less stressful.
We are planning to eat around 2.30 and have worked out the Turkey will need to be in at 8am....so early start for me!