Help! Need Christmas Menu for 24 people!

[HeatherC]

Hoping you guys can come up with some great suggestions once again. Long story short, I am having my entire family at our house for Christmas Day and probably part of the weekend. This was not planned and while I'm excited, I'm also aware of the fact that I go "organization" crazy on my own dh and kids to get ready. I don't want to do that. I really want to have a relaxed holiday (or as relaxing as 24 people in your house can be).

Looking for some ideas on menu items I can make ahead of time to serve a crowd that size so I don't have to be in the kitchen all day. I was thinking of making some lasagnas ahead of time, but not sure if that is "special" enough for the day. We just had ham and turkey at Thanksgiving so I don't want to do that.

So any ideas? Suggestions? Advice? Help!!

Thanks so much!!!

 

[C.Ann]

Are you looking for a sit-down dinner?

Lasagna would be fine for me - along with a toss salad; Italian and/or garlic bread; etc..

Maybe a roast beef as well - with mashed potatoes and beef gravy?

Maybe a fish item?

Lots of "sides" you can do ahead - or quickly - so you're not stuck in the kitchen..

How picky are the eaters?

 

[NotUrsula]

We always have this many people for Christmas, although people always contribute some of the sides.

The first thing to do is to realize that since not everyone likes the same thing, you do not have to make "enough for 24" of every dish, except maybe your main course if you only have one.

Go hunting for recipes that freeze well, and start making a ton of side dishes in quantities that feed about 6 people. If you make about 12 of them, you have that covered. (Yes, I know, that adds up to 72 servings, but we all know that lots of people will eat triple their share on a holiday.) Throw in some plain veggies, too -- two bags of frozen corn count just fine as a side dish.

We find that the best way to serve that many people is with industrial cookware. We invested in a whole stack of 1/3 size steam table pans, plus some full-sized ones that will hold water, and when necessary we borrow the sterno warmer frames to use with them from our church. (You can also just put them out on the serving table on top of folded towels if everything will be served over a short period of time.) These pans are community property for the family; we pass them around. You can use cut corrugated cardboard between the pans to stack them in a freezer.

 

[pixiemagic30]

I never cook on Christmas day, no matter the number of people. We do all finger foods: meatballs, bbq smokies, cheese, crackers, summer sausage, veggie tray, fruits, shrimp, cookies, etc... I have everything prepped the day before so that I too can enjoy the day. I set everything out noonish buffet style. I'll swap out ice bowls, etc for the cold items throughout the day, but other than that, everyone's on their own. Doing something like this, you could invite those that are close (not knowing how many are out-of-towners) to bring their favorite finger food to add to the spread...

 

[AmyinKY]

Can you borrow some crock pots?

I would do either several types of soups, chili, vegetable, chicken noodle, have crackers, corn bread, etc or put in a pork loin or chicken in them, when done, add bbq sauce. Potato salad, slaw, or chips can be your sides.

Pick up a few premade desserts from the grocery or have every family bring a dessert and drink.

A

 

[golfgal]

One of the easiest "special' meals we have on holidays is Prime Rib (expensive though). The recipe I have has you putting the prime rib in the oven at 500 for a while, turning the oven off for several hours, turning it back on for an hour or something like that--so basically no maintenance.

I make sour cream/cream cheese mashed potatoes the day before

Microwave some veges

mix a salad

have guests bring deserts/cookies, etc.

It takes longer to set the table for the meal then you will spend prepping for the meal THAT day.

You can substitute roast beef if you don't want to spend $100+ on the prime rib. I season the beef, put it in the oven at 250 for 4-6 hours--is is SUPER juicy and fall apart tender--like it is hard to get out of the pan falling apart. If I make roast beef I will make gravy with it so that takes longer but no major meal prep. Everything else above would be the same.

 

[HsvTeacher]

I never cook on Christmas day, no matter the number of people. We do all finger foods: meatballs, bbq smokies, cheese, crackers, summer sausage, veggie tray, fruits, shrimp, cookies, etc... I have everything prepped the day before so that I too can enjoy the day. I set everything out noonish buffet style. I'll swap out ice bowls, etc for the cold items throughout the day, but other than that, everyone's on their own. Doing something like this, you could invite those that are close (not knowing how many are out-of-towners) to bring their favorite finger food to add to the spread...

This is what we've done on Christmas Eve in my family for as far back as I can remember. (We do have some hot appetizers as well, though.) Everyone is nice and relaxed, and there's no running around trying to get everything out on the table in time. It makes for a great night!

 

[nmmom95]

I would have a pasta dish (lasagna, baked ziti, or stuffed shells), roast beef, a hearty soup, like Italian wedding soup, a salad and potatoes au gratin (or something else where the prep work can be done early). Add in some rolls and veggies and you've got a great meal for a large group.

 

[anniemae]

I would do the exact menu nmmom95 listed.

 

[Angelhalo]

Hoping you guys can come up with some great suggestions once again. Long story short, I am having my entire family at our house for Christmas Day and probably part of the weekend. This was not planned and while I'm excited, I'm also aware of the fact that I go "organization" crazy on my own dh and kids to get ready. I don't want to do that. I really want to have a relaxed holiday (or as relaxing as 24 people in your house can be).

Looking for some ideas on menu items I can make ahead of time to serve a crowd that size so I don't have to be in the kitchen all day. I was thinking of making some lasagnas ahead of time, but not sure if that is "special" enough for the day. We just had ham and turkey at Thanksgiving so I don't want to do that.

So any ideas? Suggestions? Advice? Help!!

Thanks so much!!!

We have Lasagna and stuffed shells every Christmas. It seems pretty special to us

 

[KirstenB]

We have about that many at our house Christmas Eve. I do a variety of heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages. I don't have enough china for everyone, so I also do paper plates/napkins. We all just sit wherever there's room downstairs.

 

[Nancyg56]

I usually have a crowd at my home but not the 24 that you are expecting. I always made prime rib and a roast pork with appropriate sides. It was a lot of work but I really enjoyed it. This year I am trying something different, an appetizer type buffet like the one mentioned above. I discussed it with my family and they are all looking forward to eating what they want when they want and not worrying about a designated meal time.

So far I am having BBQ meatballs, sweet and sour kielbasa, a pasta bake of some kind, salad, maybe a turkey and stuffing casserole.

I am reading all of these threads for ideas so I am glad you posted! Have a great time hosting your meal!

 

[We_love_WDW]

Beef Sandwiches in the crock pot - very easy. Twice baked potatoes made the day before - reheat, easier than making mashed that day. baked mac and cheese, baked ziti - things like that made before hand. Good luck!

 

[HeatherC]

Thanks guys! I think I may wind up springing for the prime rib or even doing a brisket (Ina Garten's). My family is meat eaters so, unfortunately, while I love the pasta dishes, they really don't. They wouldn't say anything, but I know they would prefer meat.

Funny thing is that I'm used to hosting a crowd this size for any of the other holidays. For some reason Christmas has always been our "laid back" holiday and this one is sending me into "planning" overload mode which I want to avoid.

I think I'm also thinking of the money flying out the window in feeding everyone for a couple days worth of meals. The meal itself isn't that much I guess. I think it's all the extras you need like the cups, napkins, drinks, snacks, breakfast items, etc..

But you guys have given me some good ideas so thank you!!!

 

[golfgal]

Thanks guys! I think I may wind up springing for the prime rib or even doing a brisket (Ina Garten's). My family is meat eaters so, unfortunately, while I love the pasta dishes, they really don't. They wouldn't say anything, but I know they would prefer meat.

Funny thing is that I'm used to hosting a crowd this size for any of the other holidays. For some reason Christmas has always been our "laid back" holiday and this one is sending me into "planning" overload mode which I want to avoid.

I think I'm also thinking of the money flying out the window in feeding everyone for a couple days worth of meals. The meal itself isn't that much I guess. I think it's all the extras you need like the cups, napkins, drinks, snacks, breakfast items, etc..

But you guys have given me some good ideas so thank you!!!

Have your guests bring all of the extra stuff--and some of the meals. No one in our family would expect the host of the party to do everything.