Christmas Dinner Buffet Style?

**Michelle** · 12-14-2006, 01:18 PM

We used to have an annual Christmas Eve party, and I would just serve appetizers & desserts. Now that we have our party on Christmas day (the only neutral ground for Dave's divorced parents as well as my parents, who aren't the most outgoing folks), I think I need to step it up a bit.

However, Dave does not want to do a sit-down dinner. Usually people just grab some food, sit wherever and chat.

So having said all that...I have a 20 lb turkey that I want to serve, but I don't know if I want to make a bunch of side dishes to go with it (in particular I don't want a repeat Thanksgiving dinner). Most of the people (if not all, now that I think of it) are going to our home only, so it's not like they are going elsewhere afterwards and eating there.

I have a lot of "munchy" appetizer thingies planned, and I think I'm all set on the desserts too. Oh, and my fil usually brings manicotti or stuffed shells at our request.

That means we have turkey, manicotti, meatballs, appetizers, and desserts so far. What else would you recommend?

TIA

**Dedlered** · 12-14-2006, 04:10 PM

How about some type of veggie casserole?

**PrairieRose** · 12-14-2006, 07:39 PM

Even though it's a little bit of work Chelle, we always have a big, fancy salad.
That usually fills any holes that picky eaters might find for us.

**favesis37** · 12-14-2006, 08:21 PM

what about turkey sandwiches? then finger foods would work great.

**PrairieRose** · 12-14-2006, 10:27 PM

You know what? After re-reading this I'd go with a nice, (oops) store bought loaf of french bread or something similar, slice it thin to put the turkey on for sort of sandwiches, put out the mayo, have all the other stuff you mentioned and add a veggie of some sort. Maybe that 'green salad' that someone mentioned here in the posts today. (I think it was broccoli, cauliflower, celery, sunflower seeds, italian dressing...pretty easy and yummy sounding)

**jkelstaten** · 12-15-2006, 02:14 AM

sounds like what the pp said would be good. All you need is a bread and some sort of salad to round it out. Or if you don't want to do all the work yourself ask people to do a potluck and have them bring specific things to fill in the gaps.