Christmas Menus.

Mrs_Optimist

We are going to be in the Canaries over Christmas this year so no Christmas Dinner for us - not sure how it will be to be honest as have never been away for Christmas, but my FIL was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year so he really wanted to take all his family away for some Winter Sun, and it fits in with kids school holidays.

Joanygq

This is my first Christmas day in my own home and I'll be cooking for 6. I'm rather terrified but planning to do most of it the day before.

Everyone keeps asking what to bring too so I really should take advantage of the dessert offers.

Any tips for a scared first timer?

quidsy

I would absolutely accept offers to bring food.

Maybe get someone to bring desert & another to bring cheese & crackers.

The way we do it is whoever has the biggest oven cooks the turkey, so always mum as she has a range. Then between the others we bring Me: Gammon & Stuffing balls. Sister: Deserts & puddings. Aunt: Trimmings & stuffing (we all love stuffing, mum also stuffs the bird, no one wants to run out ever!) and then whoever is hosting also does the veg.

It spreads the work load & cost & also let everyone feel like they contributed to the meal.

CupOfChai

Joanygq wrote: »

Any tips for a scared first timer?

Don't panic.

CH27

Joanygq wrote: »

This is my first Christmas day in my own home and I'll be cooking for 6. I'm rather terrified but planning to do most of it the day before.

Everyone keeps asking what to bring too so I really should take advantage of the dessert offers.

Any tips for a scared first timer?

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5118033

This thread has loads of tips.

kathrynha

Joanygq wrote: »

This is my first Christmas day in my own home and I'll be cooking for 6. I'm rather terrified but planning to do most of it the day before.

Everyone keeps asking what to bring too so I really should take advantage of the dessert offers.

Any tips for a scared first timer?

Definitely take up offers to bring something, and just plan and be organised.
Write down everything that needs doing, and how soon beforehand it can be done, then put it in to a schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Allow plenty of time to do stuff, so you don't get stressed and behind schedule, and most importantly schedule in cups of tea and a sit down.

notanewuser

Week and a half to go for us!

It's a bit of a team effort. Mum deals with anything meat-based, plus sprouts, gravies and sauces and xmas pudding. I do the veggie alternative, roast spuds, roast parsnips, proper cauli cheese, carrots, broccoli, peas, 2-3 puddings (from scratch), xmas cake. My dad and daughter (4) are in charge of homemade mince pies.

We get together at about 2pm and will have the lightest brekkie possible and perhaps a mince pie with a cuppa at around noon. No starters - waste of tummy space. Main course at 4pm ish. Pudding at 8pm ish.

Bliss.

Xmas day I'll take advantage of DH not working and make paella.

gilly1964

We will be having the following -


Xmas Eve
Depends on what time I finish work. Either takeaway or HM Chinese buffet.


Xmas Day
DH always wants a cooked breakfast, this is what he had growing up. I might have toast. DS will be on his usual Weetabix,.


Dinner will be some sort of seafood starter, followed by turkey and gammon, pigs in blankets, stuffing, roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, sprouts, braised red cabbage and cauliflower with lashings of gravy


There will be a selection of dessert/puds as only DH eats Xmas Pud, but this is usually about 3 hours later.


If anyone is hungry in the evening there will be plenty of bread, crackers, cold meats, cheeses, pate and HM pickles/chutneys.


And of course - chocolates

Joanygq

CupOfChai wrote: »

Don't panic.

:rotfl:Thanks

and thank you too CH27 for the link and everyone else for the advice.

I'm sure it'll be all ok. well was until I came in here and saw people planning nice breakfasts and suppers too....I thought I only had to organise dinner :eek::rotfl:

ciderwithrosie_2

Christmas Eve afternoon - mince pies and nibbles
Christmas Eve supper - some sort of takeaway
Christmas Day breakfast - porridge or bagels/crumpets
Christmas Day lunch - no starter. Turkey, ham, bacon rolls, sausagemeat balls, ready made pigs in blankets for DS2, chestnut stuffing, sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes, maple glazed parsnips, carrots, sprouts, bread sauce, cranberry sauce and gravy.
Dessert is usually a homemade cheesecake or mousse and brandy snaps, last year it was a ginger and orange ice cream bombe.
Christmas day supper - turkey sandwiches, pickles, crisps
Boxing day - usually a turkey and ham pie using up a lot of the leftovers or a soup made of the leftover veg and turkey gravy (blitzed up) and crusty bread.