Dinner help--how much to buy?

[mrsbornkuntry]

My Christmas Eve dinner has gotten away from me a little bit and I've invited quite a few more people over than I usually do. There will be 13 adults (including teens that eat like adults) and 3 children. I'm making ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, a raw broccoli Christmas tree (pinterest), shells and cheese, and rolls. One family is bringing a pecan pie and cookies, another family is bringing a side (not sure what). I also have two more pies.

So my question is, how much meat should I buy? I'm fine with leftovers, I just want to have enough, the ham I got was the biggest one I could find (I'm not sure how much it weighed, it's in our deep freeze in the garage and it's too cold for me to go out there right now, lol).

Also, any suggestions for non-alcoholic drinks that are generally popular with most guests? I don't entertain much outside of family. I was thinking may some 2-liters of pop? Pepsi, Mt. Dew, and some root beer maybe?

 

[powellrj]

It really depends on weather it is boneless or has a bone. I would say 1/2 pound per person boneless and 3/4 a pound or a pound if it has a bone. You might add another vegetable to the meal since you have several starches and desserts.

For drinks I usually don't do soda and just offer water, tea and lemonade.

 

[Lisa71]

I would do a big bowl of punch or lemonade, tea ad water...I think the meat amounts from pp are fine unless you have big eaters.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

I do not do soda either but if I did I would do cans as its easier and caprisuns for the kids (depending on age). Maybe a salad..........

 

[gjl]

Removed

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

It really depends on weather it is boneless or has a bone. I would say 1/2 pound per person boneless and 3/4 a pound or a pound if it has a bone. You might add another vegetable to the meal since you have several starches and desserts.

For drinks I usually don't do soda and just offer water, tea and lemonade.

Good idea, I think I'll add a salad. The ham I got has a bone.

I agree with above and also recommend rehearsing the Pinterest idea! We've tried a few that did NOT come out like the pictures! Good luck!

I understand your point, but this is just pretty much laying out cut-up broccoli in a triangle shape with rows of baby tomatoes in between to look like a tree so I don't think I can mess it up. The kids will probably eat half of the tomatoes off of it before guests arrive though, lol.

 

[Kellydelly]

I would make cheesy potatoes or scalloped potatoes to go with the ham. Not that you asked . I think a few two liters of soda is a good idea, maybe a couple of two liters of lemonade or punch too. Wouldn't bother with capri suns. I am going to serve ham on Christmas Eve too but I am getting a honeybaked one . The broccoli tree sounds cool .

 

[stsomewhere]

I would add something to stretch the meat.

We just had 7 more people come to our party over the weekend at the last minute

I cooked in a bag of pizza rolls and a bag of tyson anyttizers chicken fries. The teens and kids ate those over the pork.

You could do meatballs.

ETA; I would do cheesy potatoes, too. My favorite with ham.

 

[wiigirl]

I would do a big bowl of punch or lemonade, tea ad water...I think the meat amounts from pp are fine unless you have big eaters.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you buy 2 lt our Walmart currently has them for $1.00.. Or make punch. If you are unsure if you will have enough go ahead and buy a second ham. You can always freeze left overs. For me I would rather have more than not enough. And at least this way I can rest easy and not have to worry if I have enough

 

[msmama]

For Xmas and Thanksgiving I always have Cranberry Ginger Ale or Cranberry Sierra Mist. I rarely buy soda at any other time of the year and I feel like that's festive enough to be the only option (besides wine or water).

Depending on ages of the kids (if they're younger and don't drink soda) I'd do either apple juice or juice boxes.

For meat, I've been told the general rule of thumb is about 1/2 lb/person. (I'm in the same boat regarding pulled pork though, lol).

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

For Xmas and Thanksgiving I always have Cranberry Ginger Ale or Cranberry Sierra Mist. I rarely buy soda at any other time of the year and I feel like that's festive enough to be the only option (besides wine or water).

Depending on ages of the kids (if they're younger and don't drink soda) I'd do either apple juice or juice boxes.

For meat, I've been told the general rule of thumb is about 1/2 lb/person. (I'm in the same boat regarding pulled pork though, lol).

I saw that cranberry Ginger Ale at the store and wondered if it was meant to be used in a punch or with alcohol or if it was good by itself, that's a good festive option. Lemonade is a good idea, too, I'll make some of that to go with soda. The youngest kid is 9 and he's mine so he can have soda. We'll have sweet tea, too, I didn't mention it because DH always keeps some in the fridge.

I think I will pick up one more smaller ham just in case. Thank you for all of your advice! I would do cheesy potatoes, but we already have so many starches and they are family favorites so there would be a revolt if I replaced any of them, lol.

One more question, should I plan anything to entertain everyone or do you think they will just end up talking anyway? I'm not worried about the kids, most of them are mine (there will be 8 of them), they'll play video games and board games and I planned a couple "minute to win it" games just in case they get antsy.

 

[Lisa71]

We bought the cranberry sprite zero yesterday and it was very good..DS loved it

 

[tina.tina]

Some people really don't like board games but my sister LOVES Apples to Apples.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I usually do a spiral sliced bone in ham and an average one is plenty big for your guest. Mashed potato are yummy. I would do 5-8 lbs. I did a 81/2 X 11 size pan of sweet potato for thanksgiving and we had a few more guest than you are having and it was plenty. The shells and cheese are great for the kids. If it's the boxed mix type, I would do several boxes. If from scratch, I would do a 24oz box of pasta with your sauce to match. I would add some green beans or peas to sorta balance things outs. I saw the broccoli tree and it is really cute. I would set that out for people to nibble on as they arrive. Some cheese and crackers would also be good then too.
I would serve tea and water and something child friendly. Some type of fruit punch or lemon-aid would be nice.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I don't buy grocery store Hams so I can't say for sure how many pounds you would need.

I buy Hams spiral sliced and Honey glazed from the Heavenly Ham store and I get one that is about $60 so I would say around 7 or 8 pounds and it feeds 8 of us and leftovers for days and days.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I usually do a spiral sliced bone in ham and an average one is plenty big for your guest. Mashed potato are yummy. I would do 5-8 lbs. I did a 81/2 X 11 size pan of sweet potato for thanksgiving and we had a few more guest than you are having and it was plenty. The shells and cheese are great for the kids. If it's the boxed mix type, I would do several boxes. If from scratch, I would do a 24oz box of pasta with your sauce to match. I would add some green beans or peas to sorta balance things outs. I saw the broccoli tree and it is really cute. I would set that out for people to nibble on as they arrive. Some cheese and crackers would also be good then too.
I would serve tea and water and something child friendly. Some type of fruit punch or lemon-aid would be nice.

I forgot about green beans, DH doesn't like them so we don't have them much, but the rest of us will eat them, great idea . I'm doing the boxed Velveeta shells and cheese, I have two boxes, maybe I should pick up a couple more.

I started thawing the ham today, it's 12 lbs.

We have Apples to Apples so I'll keep that in mind, I thought Pictionary might be fun, too.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I knew the Budget Board would come through for me! Thanks again. I'm really excited to be having guests this year, for a variety of reasons I've been feeling down around the holidays for a few years because I miss my family and Dh's aren't particularly "affectionate" toward me, lol, so I'm looking forward to having my friends over to celebrate this year.