Community Chat

[lulu1]

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@nana59 wrote:

Help!  I'm hosting Christmas for 12.  The past two years I have ordered Italian dishes from a great restaurant....but I'm tired of that menu.  Any suggestions for an easy buffet? My arthritis gets in the way of doing anything that requires too much preparation.  Thank you....

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@nana59

If the Italian selections were a hit with your guests, I'd stick with it.  Tried and true dishes become a tradition guests look forward to. 

A spiral ham would be a nice addition.

[Cakers3]

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@lulu1 wrote:

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@nana59 wrote:

Help!  I'm hosting Christmas for 12.  The past two years I have ordered Italian dishes from a great restaurant....but I'm tired of that menu.  Any suggestions for an easy buffet? My arthritis gets in the way of doing anything that requires too much preparation.  Thank you....

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@nana59

If the Italian selections were a hit with your guests, I'd stick with it.  Tried and true dishes become a tradition guests look forward to. 

A spiral ham would be a nice addition.

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@lulu1  Agree.  I know my Christmas Eve fare is looked forward to every year.

@nana59  I'm sorry about your arthritis-is there a local market catering for the holidays?  Package plans which are not all that more expensive.  You can choose the whole 9 yards or just the appetizers/main dishes or just the sides if you decide to do the ham.

And a good suggestion a poster made-if somebody offers to bring something, please say "yes".  

[ROMARY]

I'd probably stick with the 'tried and true' Italian buffet, if everyone, so far, has enjoyed it.  Sometimes people look forward to a nice Italian (or whatever) buffet once a year. 

[cherry]

Speaking as one who has stomach issues, an Italian buffet has absolutely nothing, I could even remotely eat

There are cuisines I avoid like the plague, because of the ingredients they contain

[Katcat1]

@nana59,   How about a spiral ham?  A half would probably be enough.  If you have a Whole Foods near you, you can call up the deli for side dishes.    If not, call up your local grocery store.  

[BirdieGal]

I agree with the other posters who suggest that you find a good market that prepares the entire meal for you. You can usually customize them based on the amount of people coming. 

Warm up the food, put everything in your own serving dishes. No muss, no fuss. You will enjoy your holiday and not overwork your hands.

[sunshine45]

if you are tired of italian why not choose another ethnic food.....maybe chinese?

chicken and string beans

mongolian beef

shrimp and snow peas

wonton soup

mixed fried rice

lo mein

dumplings

egg rolls

[stuyvesant]

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@nana59 wrote:

Help!  I'm hosting Christmas for 12.  The past two years I have ordered Italian dishes from a great restaurant....but I'm tired of that menu.  Any suggestions for an easy buffet? My arthritis gets in the way of doing anything that requires too much preparation.  Thank you....

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Stick with what's gone well and what you are familiar with.  I'll bet the restaurant you've ordered from the past two years considers you part of their Christmas routine also.

[CAMOGIRL]

Perhaps a prepared spiral honey ham and a prepared turkey breast.

Stouffers Party size Mac & cheese.

Frozen veggies - I am thinking carrots and also baby green peas.

Boiled shrimp ring with cocktail sauce.

Sara Lee little crescent rolls.

Condiments such as olives, pickles, peppericinis.

Mrs. Smith fruit pies - I am thinking apple and also razzleberry. 

Sounds good to me! A little ordering, a little shopping, a little oven cooking - the pies and the rolls. A litttle microwave cooking - the veggies.

Now comes the fun part - making your buffet look fabulous and tasting all that yummy food. Enjoy your buffet and your holidays! 

[lovescats]

I would stick with the Italian dishes from the same place unless last year it wasn't ok.    People will be dissappointed if there is a change and they miss their favorites.