Last year we did nothing but appetizers and desserts for our Christmas eve party and every seemed to enjoy it. I tend to go overboard, though. I spent nearly 1200 on food ingredients and weeks organizing and baking and such.
This year I though I would do tamales, chips and salsa, cheese and meat and crackers/bread, and desserts. Am I going from one extreme to the other? One kid asked for Jack In the Box Tacos, should I just nix the menu and get burgers and tacos and still do desserts? We are just opening gifts (not the ones from Santa, because they won’t arrive until he brings them later that night) listening to music and talking an laughing. Also, we don’t drink should I buy alcohollic beverages for those that do or let them know they are welcome to bring their favorite drinks and enjoy?
It really depends on how many people you are having over. $1200 is a little much. If its early in the evening, just snacks and apetizers. If it is family and the are coming in the evening, tamales might be good. You can make them ahead of time and just heat when needed. Ask everyone to bring their favorite dessert. If they dont bake and dont know what to bring. Ask them to bring a side dish, or drinks, etc.
yes you would make a kid dream come true
You obviously like to entertain. Why not add a taco bar to your menu so the kids could make their own tacos? As for the alcohol- keep it simple-have a couple packs of wine coolers on hand.
I have 21 guests each year for Christmas dinner. I find that the effort and the cost of appetizers is not worth the trouble you go through to prepare, arrange, and serve them. Dinner is an easier thing to accomplish the day before Christmas. That way, much of the food can be prepared ahead of time, the table and arrangements can be done days earlier, so all I have to do on Christmas Eve day is bake the roast (rib roast is no fuss), potatoes and vegetables and put out assorted crackers, cheese, and of course my famous hot crab dip that I prepared the day before. I always buy dinner wine, but just enough to serve with dinner and maybe a glass after. Everyone has to drive home after all.
Hot Crab Dip
2 pkgs of cream cheese
8 oz of sour cream
3 tablespoons of mayonaisse
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon
1 teaspoon Old Bay
6 oz grated cheese, your choice
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Mix together and place, covered tightly, in refrigerator. You can do this the day berfore, but don’t add the crab or remaining cheese until you are ready to bake it.
One half hour before company comes, stir in:
1 lb. lump crab meat
Place in a loaf pan, if you use a glass one, you may serve right out of it.
Sprinkle with 2 oz cheese (purchase 8 oz). Place in oven at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned. I promise you this will disappear!
So much of entertaining depends on your budget and how much time you have. The Mexican menu sounds great. Personally a taco bar sounds preferable to Jack-In The Box tacos as everything will be fresher. You could have the beef in a chafing dish or slow cooker and offer chicken as well plus all the sides, grated cheese, sour cream, tomatoes etc. If you don’t drink alcohol bring your own beverage is the way to go. If your guests offer to bring something I usually suggest desserts especially during the holidays. They can pick something up or bring their special dessert. Then you just have to have two or three desserts on hand. Something creamy like cheese cake, a chocolate dessert like brownies and something with fruit a pie or tart or just fresh fruit like mandarins.
Why not just cater it!!!