How do you plan a holiday meal?

[countrygirl2]

It's just us, wow, all of you have big elaborate deals.

We may have turkey, dressing, noodles, and veggies on both Christmas and Thanksgiving.

New Years we don't do anything, don't go anywhere.

For years it was DD and I when DH was home it was nice. Now he helps and is bringing his

mom and aunt. It's more work for me but he wants to and helps so its ok.

I don't keep track of costs. If we had huge celebrations I suppose I would.

[alabamagal]

Dec 15, 2016 16:06:26 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Dec 15, 2016 15:45:11 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

We do stay home on NYE and hang out in our jammies, hence the need for the food.


For as long as my DD can remember she has invited friends for NYE and it kind of became a tradition.  So now her and DS have friends over and I make lots and lots of food.

Last year DD's BF was there and he went home just about midnight, and I forget how he got there. Us or his parents (they're too young to drive still) but I don't generally have hordes at my house. I'm totally done with people by then.

We do the hang out in jammies with lots of food also.

Kids would always try to stay awake until midnight.  Not an issue when they were teens.  DH is a night owl, I will TRY to make it to midnight, but no guarantee.

[gooddecisions]

If I am hosting, I am always happy to cook the basics: Thanksgiving- turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, vegetable side dishes; Christmas- prime rib roast, veggies and store bought frozen rolls. Pies I buy from Costco or Marie Callender. Since this is all very basic and partially prepared, it does not mean too much time in the kitchen. If extended family is joining us and they want to get fancy, then they can bring it. 

Christmas Eve and New Years Day are just normal meals. Growing up, my step-mother always cooked corned beef, black-eyed peas and cabbage for New Years Eve. I don't like the smell of cabbage cooking, so I haven't picked up that tradition. Though, I do like the idea of a good luck traditional meal on New Years Day, so I may come around.

[trippypea]

We always have seafood Christmas Eve in my house (what my parents always did). We typically have lobster, shrimp, crab legs, oysters, and a multitude of side dishes. For 4 people, lol. This year, I am dropping the lobster and making a baked fish instead. I am not a big fan of lobster anyway, I always tend to overcook it, and it is stone cold by the time I get it out of the shell and get to eat it, so it is not really worth the expense.
For Christmas day, we skip a traditional sit-down dinner and have a buffet style in the evening when all the extended relatives come over to my parent's house. My mother had been ill the last several years so my sister and I took on more of the cooking, and last year we did it all. My mother passed away in the spring, so this will be the first year doing it without her supervising! I've delegated my father to take care of the kielbasa and ham, my sister to make the potato salad, cole slaw, and chicken tenders, and I am making all the appetizer-y stuff, meatballs, ziti, shrimp, halushki, and all the desserts. It will be a cake and seven kinds of cookies. Luckily my kids are teenagers, and will be home from school on Friday to help cook!
This is the first year we have people to go out with on New Year's Eve. Normally, we'd have a seafood dinner again, but since we are going out, I will just make buffet style food for New Year's Day.

[8 Bit WWBG]

I'm grateful I can plan the meal based on what I want to make, or what people would like to have.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I was at the store today and scored another gorgeous prime rib at $6/lb.  not sure when I'll make it, but for that price I'd be nuts not to snag one.

[skubikky]

I/we base the holiday menus on a combination of traditional family choices and some new things.

Christmas eve is hors d'oeuvres as we have what has become more or less an open house.

My DD is a food stylist and a great cook.  She usually comes up with something special in addition to the usual items:
Cheese, crackers, various olives from the Mediterranean bar at Wegman's or Olindo's in Gates,
shrimp and cocktail sauce, spanikopita, maybe meatballs,  antipast salad, grapes(for the love of Pete....have to include something the clear the palate!),  and all the other regular chazzerai that gets served.

Christmas day varies, this year will be a roast beast done in the crockpot.
A nice salad and a nice Cornetto bread from Gruttadauria's.
Maybe fruit, nuts and cheese for dessert.

New Years day is traditional Italian for us.
DH makes the homemade cavatellis and sauce...of course.
The whole famiglia will be in attendance for the meal and football.
The noise level should reach our typical jet engine 100 dB or so...good thing we live in the hinterland so that we don't disturb anyone.

Each day will also see copious amounts of Godiva chocolate from a shoot that DD did a few weeks back.
Hideous, over the top amounts of every freakin kind of Godiva you can think of.
She said the Uber she had to take home that day was filled with tins, packages and boxes of all the things that they were shooting for
what was probably a catalog or the interwebs.   The kid has a lot of job perks, this being one of them.

[skubikky]

Dec 15, 2016 15:39:56 GMT -5 swamp said:

Dec 15, 2016 15:35:54 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

WTF? People actually cook special meals for NYE?? The things I learn around here. 

Yes. I'm going to a redneck surf and turf party. Venison and walleye, and bring a side dish to pass.

Heh, heh....that's what I call an upstate NY feast!

[Deleted]

Has anyone ever made peanut butter & jelly roll-ups for kids?  I'm trying to come up with finger food for Christmas guests ranging in ages from 1-13 (not including the five adults).   It can't have dairy because one of them is allergic, and he's not old enough to monitor himself (only 4). I'm not worried about the adults.  DH wants something simple that I don't have to cook.

So I saw these on Pinterest and thought how cute (and easy).  They are also called sushi rolls (you flatten the bread before rolling) but with the p&j.  You can also make them with flour tortillas.  Which would you do?  If you suggest bread, would you use white or the wheat we usually use?

This isn't all they get.  There will also be fruits, a veggie tray, chex mix, etc.  But it's close enough to dinner time that it will probably ruin it so I want an "entree" of some sort.  For adults, I think it's going to be a tray of Subway sandwiches.  But in my experience kids this little don't really like adult sandwiches.  So this is something for the littlest people (1, two 3's, and the 4).

So have you made these?  What kind of "bread"?

[973beachbum]

The dairy free is really the tough part IMO.  DS was allergic to dairy when he was young.  I think 4 is about the age he grew out of it.  Man was I happy that day!

Most commercial bread contains dairy products as do almost all crackers and things in cans like biscuits and crescent rolls. 

About the only bread that doesn't have dairy is French bread or bagels.   Not exactly something that lends it's self to a roll up.   So I guess I would do a tortilla as it is easier to find one that doesn't contain dairy.   Or one of the other flat roll up type breads.

Good luck!  We had to maintain a dairy free household for those four years and I have to say it is about the hardest thing I did!  It is just so hard to do without actually making absolutely everything yourself.  Things like crackers and cookies I just never bought because of how hard it was to find a brand that didn't have dairy in it as it makes such a good stabelizer.  I think it would be easier to find salt free baked goods.


PS some peanut butters have dairy too.   So only all natural PB is the way to go.  Anything other than peanuts and salt on the ingredients makes it a no.

[sesfw]

gorgeous prime rib at $6/lb.


WOW where did you find this?  Prime rib around here is running $13 per lb.  We did order choice rib for $7/lb ......

We are having the rib roast, rosemary potatoes, fresh veggies, sauted mushrooms, some kind salad, pies for dessert.  Just one other couple will be with us and they are good friends.  

G-dtr and her dtr will be with us Saturday.  I'm planning on making chicken salad roll-ups for lunch on corn tortillas.  Corn has almost zero sodium and flour is very high, so corn it is.

[Deleted]

Dec 20, 2016 8:11:17 GMT -5 973beachbum said:

The dairy free is really the tough part IMO.  DS was allergic to dairy when he was young.  I think 4 is about the age he grew out of it.  Man was I happy that day!

Most commercial bread contains dairy products as do almost all crackers and things in cans like biscuits and crescent rolls. 

About the only bread that doesn't have dairy is French bread or bagels.   Not exactly something that lends it's self to a roll up.   So I guess I would do a tortilla as it is easier to find one that doesn't contain dairy.   Or one of the other flat roll up type breads.

Good luck!  We had to maintain a dairy free household for those four years and I have to say it is about the hardest thing I did!  It is just so hard to do without actually making absolutely everything yourself.  Things like crackers and cookies I just never bought because of how hard it was to find a brand that didn't have dairy in it as it makes such a good stabelizer.  I think it would be easier to find salt free baked goods.


PS some peanut butters have dairy too.   So only all natural PB is the way to go.  Anything other than peanuts and salt on the ingredients makes it a no.

Thanks for the head's up.  I don't think it is that allergic.  He's probably more like me . . . lactose intolerant.  I can tolerate dairy in moderation but not as dairy.  So no cheese, milk, ice cream, etc.  Yogurt is ok for me (I'm not sure about him).  I haven't noticed his mom buying anything special other the milk for his cereal.  I've seen him eat hamburgers, chicken nuggets, cake, and everything else.

[973beachbum]

That is good SS!  My son was allergic to dairy not lactose intolerant so when I see allergic I think breaks out in hives and epi pen.

Lactose intolerant sounds a lot easier.

My local Acme gc has prime rib on sale until Christmas eve for $4.77 lb.

[Peace Of Mind]

I'm starting a new holiday meal plan that includes visiting some of you at your houses.  I'm starting with 97's and I'm guessing I'll be too full to leave until the next day so the rest of you all got lucky.    

[NoNamePerson]

Dec 20, 2016 18:26:54 GMT -5 Peace Of Mind said:

I'm starting a new holiday meal plan that includes visiting some of you at your houses.  I'm starting with 97's and I'm guessing I'll be too full to leave until the next day so the rest of you all got lucky.    

You would be SOL if headed to my house. I don't cook and that is a good thing. I just show up at the appointed hour per son and DIL.     

[Deleted]

I hate to be a downer, but I find planning the holiday meal with DH a real PITA.

My cousin sent us a Harry & David turkey and ham that are sitting in the refrigerator.  DH keeps saying that he doesn't want me to cook anything because he doesn't want me to be stressed out.  So we'll just have finger foods.  Ok. . . . 

So we go to Costco to look at their platters.  I already know what they have. but DH doesn't.  I like the ones that have chicken, lettuce, tomato, and are wraps cut to be roll-ups.  He'd rather have the croissant sandwiches.  Whatever.  I write the order up.

In less than 15 minutes, he has changed his mind.  He wants the meat & cheese platter where everyone makes their own sandwich.  What are two of the three meats on the tray?  The same as the turkey and ham that is sitting in my refrigerator that I have no idea what to do with because there are only two of us.  I try to dissuade him, but that's really what he wants.  It fits his idea of what a party tray should look like.  I don't have the heart to argue with him.

But meanwhile I will have to cut two dozen Hawaiian rolls in half so people can make their own sandwiches.  I don't mind doing that, but why must I do that but can't turn the ham and turkey (already cooked) in our refrigerator into the meat?  I could buy cheese.

I'm also having real trouble with him understanding that little people don't necessarily eat what adult people eat.  And all he can seem to think of is adults.  He was worried about having enough wine.  I'm like, "And the children are drinking what?"  We bought some beautiful Italian cake.  Oh, and a pumpkin pie.  I'm like, "Can we get some cookies for the kids?"  Oh, and we are having peel-and-eat shrimp.  This isn't for the kiddies.

My adult kids are also annoying because they can't/won't come at the same time.  My son/DIL wanted to come either 3 or 4.  My daughter/SIL wanted to come either 4 or 5.  I suggested everyone just come at 4, which my daughter was cool with.  My DIL, however, said they would come at 3 so that they didn't stress me out. I guess that means they will leave before 4.  A drive-by Christmas?

Meanwhile, trying  to make sure that there is enough of EVERYTHING for two shifts stresses me out.  I want to do this without buying two of EVERYTHING because we don't need two platters of shrimp, two meat/cheese trays, two fancy desserts, etc.  But how do you keep the first shift from eating all of their favorite, which means the second shift gets none?  I don't even know what the favorite might be.

And so they stressed me after all.  I hope they are happy.   I'm just venting, of course.  It will all work out.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 20, 2016 11:06:34 GMT -5 sesfw said:

gorgeous prime rib at $6/lb.


WOW where did you find this?  Prime rib around here is running $13 per lb.  We did order choice rib for $7/lb ......

We are having the rib roast, rosemary potatoes, fresh veggies, sauted mushrooms, some kind salad, pies for dessert.  Just one other couple will be with us and they are good friends.  

G-dtr and her dtr will be with us Saturday.  I'm planning on making chicken salad roll-ups for lunch on corn tortillas.  Corn has almost zero sodium and flour is very high, so corn it is.

Haggens.  But I have also gotten nice prime ribs for $9.99/lb at Costco.

[NastyWoman]

Planning a holiday meal goes something like this ->take large stack of recipe books and plant butt on sofa -> find recipes that appeal -> put away books that have no selected recipes -> pare number of recipes down to a manageable number (such that I will only have enough food for one army not two or three -> use excel to make shopping list (stores are color coded) -> cook food and eat with loved ones. 
Let others take care of cleaning up so no stress whatsoever 

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

@bamafan1954:  tell your son and daughter that you are putting food out once, at 4.  Tell them what you are serving and that you are keeping it simple so that you don't end up with a ton of leftovers that you and DH have no chance of eating by yourselves.  Tell them that they are free to come any time before or after 4 and how much you are looking forward to having everyone together on Christmas.  

And then, do it.  Expecting individual buffets within an hour of each other is leaning toward self-absorbed, IMHO.  You're not wait staff.  You're not hired help.  You get to enjoy the day, too, and I am sure your enjoyment is not centered around serving food non-stop in a 3 hour window.  Yes, Christmas is a long day for kids, especially when they have to travel to several houses to celebrate.  So what?  It's once a year.  The kids might be cranky or tired, or, they might have caught their 100th wind by the time they get to your house.  Just serve once and go with it so that you can spend some time with your grandchildren, not in the kitchen serving them.  How do you want the grandkids to remember you at Christmas -- in the kitchen?  Or, on the floor doing puzzles or looking at family photo albums or reading to them?  

And, tell your darling husband that you know your family best, so you've decided to serve what you know they will eat and what is most cost- and time-effective.  And, go with whatever that is.  

And tell your DIL that multiple serving times stresses you out.  The having everyone together at one time doesn't stress you out.  In fact, is the thing you enjoy most about Christmas.

Sometimes, you just have to tell people what you want.  It can be done in a pleasant way so that it doesn't come off as a demand.  

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Dec 20, 2016 7:52:54 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

Has anyone ever made peanut butter & jelly roll-ups for kids?  I'm trying to come up with finger food for Christmas guests ranging in ages from 1-13 (not including the five adults).   It can't have dairy because one of them is allergic, and he's not old enough to monitor himself (only 4). I'm not worried about the adults.  DH wants something simple that I don't have to cook.

So I saw these on Pinterest and thought how cute (and easy).  They are also called sushi rolls (you flatten the bread before rolling) but with the p&j.  You can also make them with flour tortillas.  Which would you do?  If you suggest bread, would you use white or the wheat we usually use?

This isn't all they get.  There will also be fruits, a veggie tray, chex mix, etc.  But it's close enough to dinner time that it will probably ruin it so I want an "entree" of some sort.  For adults, I think it's going to be a tray of Subway sandwiches.  But in my experience kids this little don't really like adult sandwiches.  So this is something for the littlest people (1, two 3's, and the 4).

So have you made these?  What kind of "bread"?

I agree with 973beachbum:  watch the commercial breads for dairy (casein, whey, calcium, etc.).  I did the roll-ups years ago with my kids and they loved them.  Definitely roll the bread out flat.  You could do both white and wheat to offer variety, and the tortillas are a fun option, too.  Another option is those tiny cocktail breads -- they look just like a regular piece of bread but in miniature -- to make simple tiny sandwiches.  The kids always got a kick out of the small size.  I usually find cocktail breads near the deli counter.  

[Deleted]

Dec 21, 2016 21:21:56 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

@bamafan1954 :  tell your son and daughter that you are putting food out once, at 4.  Tell them what you are serving and that you are keeping it simple so that you don't end up with a ton of leftovers that you and DH have no chance of eating by yourselves.  Tell them that they are free to come any time before or after 4 and how much you are looking forward to having everyone together on Christmas.  

And then, do it.  Expecting individual buffets within an hour of each other is leaning toward self-absorbed, IMHO.  You're not wait staff.  You're not hired help.  You get to enjoy the day, too, and I am sure your enjoyment is not centered around serving food non-stop in a 3 hour window.  Yes, Christmas is a long day for kids, especially when they have to travel to several houses to celebrate.  So what?  It's once a year.  The kids might be cranky or tired, or, they might have caught their 100th wind by the time they get to your house.  Just serve once and go with it so that you can spend some time with your grandchildren, not in the kitchen serving them.  How do you want the grandkids to remember you at Christmas -- in the kitchen?  Or, on the floor doing puzzles or looking at family photo albums or reading to them?  

And, tell your darling husband that you know your family best, so you've decided to serve what you know they will eat and what is most cost- and time-effective.  And, go with whatever that is.  

And tell your DIL that multiple serving times stresses you out.  The having everyone together at one time doesn't stress you out.  In fact, is the thing you enjoy most about Christmas.

Sometimes, you just have to tell people what you want.  It can be done in a pleasant way so that it doesn't come off as a demand.  

You are so right.  DH suddenly realized that I had ordered two trays without realizing I cancelled the first one.  So now he is going to let me handle the food.  LOL.  We only have his last choice, the meat tray.

And I have already decided that I am putting food out at 4 p.m.  I'm not doing two serving shifts because it simply doesn't make sense.   

I've never been good at telling people what I want.  You hit the nail on the head.