Hellobee Boards

Woah! I know that was a bit of a battle; sounds like it worked out for you!?

I'm hosting this year as well. So, I'm planning something along these lines:

Turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Apple Turnips - Mom will bring
Stuffing & Cran
A Green - haven't decided maybe asparagus or roasted broccoli?
A salad?

omg what else? What am I missing? BUNS? yeesh.

I would make a ham & a turkey (but we have a Trager that can cook both outside), green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, some kind of salad and rolls.

For starters deviled eggs, jalapeño popper dip, a app tray (Brie, olives, salami, almonds, dried cranberries) and a veggie tray.

I am a fan of pumpkin cheesecake. And a apple crumble.

Prep a day in advance and do a day of countdown timeline.

I'm in the same boat (but also doing Xmas eve!)
So far this is the plan, but I haven't really put much thought into sides yet.
My MIL will bring dessert for Christmas dinner (she loves to bake), and we'll ask folks to bring wine to help with costs (its all family, and this is the first year we've hosted, so I'm totally comfortable with that).

Xmas Eve:
Heavy apps: meats, cheese, olives, crackers, shrimp
Lobster Bisque
some kind of hearty salad
bread
flourless chocolate cake?

Christmas day:
Breakfast: eggs/bacon/sticky buns/fruit
Late morning: Heavy apps (same as night before)
Christmas dinner (around 1 or 2):
-Pork roast ( I have a recipe from cook's illustrated, we're going to give it a trial run soon)
-Green salad
-Mashed Squash
-Roast veg of some kind
???

@.twist.: nothing Christmas until 12/1 but you have your whole meal planned??

@.twist.: My family always did a fish of some kind (usually baked in a cream sauce) and my husband's always did lobster bisque....but I never really liked hers (shhhh. to be fair, she's an incredible cook, its literally the one thing she makes that I'm "meh" about), so I'm looking for a new recipe.

For Christmas dinner, I always do a roast of some kind. Bone in rib eye or filet mignon (I can get it for under $10/lb, otherwise I couldn't afford to do it!). Then basic sides: mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, Pillsbury crescent rolls, a cornbread casserole, and a salad.

@.twist.: haha I'm thinking about it now because we need to preorder our prime rib. And see how long DH wants to age it.

We always do ham, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, buns, mac and cheese, and a surprise side.

@yoursilverlining: oh wow, I think i might have found my new signature dessert in the panna cotta!

And @Silva: I love the idea of heavy apps!

We usually do steak and king crab legs with martinis
We also serve shrimp cocktail for an app and do 2 sides (mashed potatoes and salad or some other type of combo) Then we have dessert with cordials.
Prior to this year, it was just us and maybe my parents but now that DH's entire family is back in town we're going to have to get creative, tho SIL has said that she'll help cover the cost of the crab - so it'll be more of a joint Christmas dinner which is a-ok by us.

If I can afford it:
Beef Tenderloin
Fingerling Potatoes roasted with butter, oil and herbs
Pepperidge Farm Stuffing
Bacon sauteed green beans
Pecan Pie

I have hosted Christmas Eve dinner for my side id the family since DD was born and we stopped traveling. Every year I do a boneless standing rib roast and vary the sides and dessert. Last year we had goat cheese-mashed potatoes, green beans with pecans, store bought yeast rolls, and sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Turned out well!!

My father always orders a honey baked ham. While it's a little pricey, it comes to your door totally cooked and 100% delicious. My father orders a 13lb whole ham and it's about $100 with $15 shipping (if you have a store nearby I believe you can pick up at the store but my father loves the convenience) and it feeds 20 people. I figure $100 for 20 people is pretty good for an amazing ham that comes right to your door fully cooked.

Then we all usually just bring sides. It makes things really easy for Xmas.

@.twist.: I found one called "better than sex lobster bisque." will probably try that one but maybe come up with a new name.

We are hosting BOTH families this year (YAAAYYY NO AIR TRAVEL FOR US) and I'm really excited. DH is going to make a beef bourguignon that he has done marvelously in the past, and I'm going to make gnocchi. Maybe a little unconventional but Bon Appetit last year suggested doing short ribs and gnocchi for Christmas dinner so I feel like we've been given permission.

And I'll probably hit the farmers market and whip up all the favorites - mashed potatoes, roasted brussels, a butternut squash salad, and of course my old college roommate's mother's mac & cheese that my own family hasn't been able to live without for the past decade.

@Bao: On Xmas Eve, which we also host, we do a variety of appetizers and champagne! It's really fun. Cocktail shrimp, stuffed artichoke bottoms, little sandwiches, crackers and fancy cheese, that sort of thing.

@.twist.: oh god. especially with my mother who likes to make alllll the sex jokes after a couple glasses of wine. right before she starts talking about how we have to help her kill herself if she ever starts "losing her mind." Cheers and Merry Christmas everyone!

for the record, I adore my mother. but yeah.

I'd keep it super simple and crowd pleasing. My more fun foods get a veto from my traditional family.

Ham
Fried chicken wings (I'd have my mom make these at her house actually)
Mac & Cheese
String beans w/ ham hock
Candied Yams
Apple Crisp a la mode

@.twist.: fly on down, the more the merrier!