Xmas Dinner - Plate up or Self Serve?

1.5K Posts


Hi
We are hosting Christmas dinner this year, and I was wondering what you all do with regard to serving the dinner. Do you plate everyone's dinner in the kitchen and give it to them at the dining table. Or do you put everything in serving bowls etc and put it on the table for guests to help themselves?
The reason being, my husband likes his plated up - so it's all hot and he doesn't need to add anything other than bread sauce/cranberry sauce etc. Whereas my father in law likes to help himself from the table (although that's not strictly true - he likes someone else to plate his dinner up from the main table so he can just tell them what he wants )
So..... my thoughts are plate everyone's dinner up (small portions) and then put extras of everything in serving bowls on the table for anyone to add additional food if they wish to.
Is that a good compromise?
We are hosting Christmas dinner this year, and I was wondering what you all do with regard to serving the dinner. Do you plate everyone's dinner in the kitchen and give it to them at the dining table. Or do you put everything in serving bowls etc and put it on the table for guests to help themselves?
The reason being, my husband likes his plated up - so it's all hot and he doesn't need to add anything other than bread sauce/cranberry sauce etc. Whereas my father in law likes to help himself from the table (although that's not strictly true - he likes someone else to plate his dinner up from the main table so he can just tell them what he wants )
So..... my thoughts are plate everyone's dinner up (small portions) and then put extras of everything in serving bowls on the table for anyone to add additional food if they wish to.
Is that a good compromise?
Squares knitted for my throw ~ 90 (yes!!! I have finally finished it :rotfl: )
Squares made for my patchwork quilt ~ 80 (only the "actual" quilting to do now :rotfl:)
0
This discussion has been closed.
Latest MSE News and Guides
Childcare budget boost
More support for children from nine months and those on Universal Credit
MSE News
Replies
What it may grow to in time, I know not what.
Daniel Defoe: 1725.
For Christmas dinner I'd expect everyone to know each other well enough that you could just ask which they would prefer when they arrive.
("Different strokes for different folks" is possible?)
FIL has often said he prefers the dinner in serving bowls - but he never dishes his own dinner up, everyone does it for him!
Husband on the other hand likes it plated up. Me - I'm not fussed!
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5105296
I understood what food you would be serving but wondered about where the food would be in relation to where people are to sit - ie (a) buffet, where food is laid out separately and people either help themselves, starting with an empty plate, or someone serves them some of the items (eg the turkey) and they help themselves to vegetables
or
(b) the food is on the same table as that at which people sit. In that situation I would have the host carving the turkey and people select the rest of the main course themselves. (Hostess serves the pudding and others take brandy butter custard as they wish.) But then I'm probably a bit old fashioned for family meals. Take no notice.
I wouldn't plate up but would have turkey carved at the table and when the carving has started bring in the hot vegetables. After the ladies have been served with the turkey, FIL could have his food added to this plate by another - have more than one dish of each vegetable to make things quicker.
ETA: On reflection I'm much too formal.
I think when we were a little younger the veg was silver served but teens+ should be able to get their own veg.
I'd never plate up a roast dinner for anyone other than my boyfriend (who I live with), I find it a bit rude and intrusive. Good luck!
I don't think you're old fashioned, this is how we eat at family meals.