Hosting a Boxing day (December26th) meal for 30of my closest family....HELP!

Cafe Society
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This will be the first Xmas since we lost irishfella’s dad, and since we have moved out of our shoebox apartment to a house, we finally have room to entertain.

So…we’re hosting Boxing Day, for our families (my parents and two sisters, his sisters, brothers in law, their kids, my MIL, his uncle and aunt, assorted cousins and their children). In all 20 adults and 10 kids, ranging in age from 1-17, mostly in the 2-8 age group. We all get on well, and I do not forese any major issues.

I could use some advice on my menu (I figure the kids will entertain themselves with toys, Xbox, Tv, DVD or IPads and won’t need any formal “entertainment”).

I’m planning a cold buffet, my parents and SIL are bring some left over turkey and ham. I was going to make a Quiche (either spinach or Lorraine, depending on whether the teens are still vegetarian or not come Xmas), cold fish (either poached or baked salmon or trout), various salads (couscous, potato, slaw, green, pasta), cheeseboard with chutneys and pickles , some cocktail sausages, pigs in blankets etc.

For dessert I think ice cream, some sort of cheesecake and something traditional like a chocolate log, with cupcakes for the kids.

What do you guys think?
I’m working Xmas Eve until 2, can’t do much on Xmas day, and will have the morning to cook and the weekend before to do everything that can be assembled and frozen in advance. Since all the cooking actually is preparing salads and quiche, wrapping a fish in foil and sticking it in the oven and making and icing cupcakes, I think it is do-able.

I’m going to make a mulled wine, and a non alcoholic version, and the usual drinks will be available. My sister works for a wine merchant, and she has offered to sort out the wine.

Does this sound ok?

Any good/easy/cheap party dishes?
Any good salad or dressing recipes?

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Either teryaki or bbq meatballs, you buy frozen meatballs if you have a crockpot put the meatballs in with whatever sauce you want put it on low and let cook overnight, but if you dont have a crockpot put all of the ingredients in a large pot put on low heat until it starts to boil then put on simmer. Enjoy

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The kids in my family really like when we have a fruit tray with dip. There’s always strawberries, green grapes and sliced tart apples, then maybe pineapple chunks or orange segments or pitted cherries or kiwi, whatever else looks good when I’m shopping. You’ve got small enough kidlets that grapes and cherries might be a choking hazard, maybe switch to something else there.

I usually make a simple dip with cream cheese, vanilla and marshmallow fluff, but there’s tons of recipes available with yogurts and all sorts of stuff.

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irishgirl, curious if anyone in your family follows the tradition of not eating meat on St. Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day? My dad’s side of the family are from the north and they do/did it. I’ve never found out how common it was as nobody I know in Dublin has ever heard of it. By the way, good luck with the feast!
PS there’s always Domino’s Pizza. :smiley:

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Don’t forget some nice rolls or biscuits to set out with the turkey and ham. Have some mayonnaise and mustard alongside so your guests can make their own sandwiches.