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Post by christine58 on Nov 30, 2018 2:31:03 GMT
Seriously thinking about broaching this subject with my immediate family. It would make life so much easier for EVERYONE....
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ashley
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,400 
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Post by ashley on Nov 30, 2018 2:35:23 GMT
We started doing this several years ago and every year we agree to do it again. Some years we’ve bought an assortment of frozen, premade things, some years we just go for crackers and cheese and olives and pickles and stuff.
We have a traditional holiday meal on Boxing Day instead.
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psiluvu
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Posts: 3,217
Location: Canada's Capital
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Post by psiluvu on Nov 30, 2018 2:38:48 GMT
We do appetizers for Christmas Eve dinner not Christmas day dinner. I don't know if it is easier than the traditional turkey dinner or not. Lots of prep for veggies and different dips and making all the different appetizers, that are usually fussy to make, then you need about 3 ovens and you have a ton of pans and plates to clean up. Personally I would like to order pizza Christmas even and have turkey Christmas Day
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PLurker
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Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Nov 30, 2018 2:40:30 GMT
Christmas eve with extended family we do that.
Christmas day is sometimes never out of pj's and nice Christmas breakfast and "punt" or chill rest of day. Just us.
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Post by papersilly on Nov 30, 2018 2:43:15 GMT
We've done it when we hosted neighbor friends for Christmas. Finger foods so people can walk around and mingle while they eat too. We had a big variety of hot and cold stuff. It really worked out great. People commented that they liked having lots of small choices instead of just a meat and a couple of sides.
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Deleted
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May 12, 2024 16:43:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2018 3:03:59 GMT
We always have appetizers followed by a prime rib dinner so eliminating the prime rib would not go over well with my family.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 30, 2018 3:04:09 GMT
I always do a big dinner on Christmas Eve and have thought about appetizers. This might be a for sure this year.
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trollie
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Post by trollie on Nov 30, 2018 3:05:13 GMT
What a fun idea!! I'm totally in!
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Dani-Mani
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Post by Dani-Mani on Nov 30, 2018 3:05:55 GMT
We started doing Christmas brunch. Best. Idea. Ever.
We have so many leftovers Christmas Eve, a second dinner was a waste.
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leeny
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Location: Northern California
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Jun 27, 2014 1:55:53 GMT
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Post by leeny on Nov 30, 2018 3:15:40 GMT
We've done finger foods for Hanukkah dinner. So much less formal and less stressful. It is fun to see what folks come up with.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Nov 30, 2018 3:20:11 GMT
This has been the tradition with my mother's family for at least the last 25 years. Are you looking for ideas to include, christine58 , or do you just want to be able to tell your family that everyone does it?  |
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Post by berty on Nov 30, 2018 3:23:32 GMT
I'm trying to talk the family into doing apps on either Christmas Day or Eve. So far there's not a lot of interest, but we'll see as it gets closer.
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Post by ohiodianna on Nov 30, 2018 3:25:35 GMT
We do it also. Have for many years.
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Post by bc2ca on Nov 30, 2018 3:28:48 GMT
Christmas day can often be a big brunch followed by a late afternoon charcuterie board and appetizers. Almond stuffed, bacon wrapped dates are a must have in our house.
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sweetpeasmom
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Posts: 2,592
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Nov 30, 2018 3:34:00 GMT
We did this last year at my mom’s house. Worked really well.
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Post by workingclassdog on Nov 30, 2018 3:41:18 GMT
We have done this and it is so much fun...
Usually it isn't even thought out to far in advanced and not 'fancy'.. we all just bring whatever we make and have fun with it.
My MIL likes to buy the mini tacos/taquitos and serve all the dips and sides.
I like to make mine more homemade.. I have done the Frank's Chicken Dip, Ham and cheese roll ups, lots more but I can't think of them
My SIL makes traditional stuff from her country.. Czech Republic (she goes ALL out..lol)
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Post by Katiepotatie on Nov 30, 2018 4:23:29 GMT
Yes! We actually have a Christmas party every Christmas night. We specifically invite friends who aren’t with extended family. We have appetizers, desserts, and drinks. Then we play games...some “Minute to win It” types, board games, etc. we get a large crowd each year. It’s a lot of work, but we take the 26th off to chill and relax.
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scrapngranny
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Only slightly senile
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Post by scrapngranny on Nov 30, 2018 5:32:51 GMT
Appetizers is all we serve on Christmas Day. We start with breakfast type stuff, sweet rolls and sausage wraps, then go to cold cuts, cheese, rolls, veggie tray and whatever else. There are always cookies, candy and sweets out for after. Very easy and no stress.
We do our formal dinner on Christmas Eve.
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Deleted
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May 12, 2024 16:43:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2018 5:37:00 GMT
We used to buy McDonald ‘s and go look at lights. But I am so tired now by eve that I just want to crawl in bed.
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Post by christine58 on Nov 30, 2018 10:17:13 GMT
This has been the tradition with my mother's family for at least the last 25 years. Are you looking for ideas to include, christine58 , or do you just want to be able to tell your family that everyone does it? I’d love ideas. Crockpot stuff. Etc |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Nov 30, 2018 10:48:32 GMT
I would love to do that. I love apps and dessert a million times more than the big meal.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 30, 2018 11:21:30 GMT
Christmas day can often be a big brunch followed by a late afternoon charcuterie board and appetizers. Almond stuffed, bacon wrapped dates are a must have in our house. We do walnut or pecan stuffed dates and pineapple. So good! |
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anniebeth24
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Posts: 3,545
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Post by anniebeth24 on Nov 30, 2018 11:45:04 GMT
We have appetizers only on Christmas Eve. It's been a tradition in DH's family and was one I was happy to carry on.
I have most things prepped before we go to church, but it is hard to wait for the hot ones to come out of the oven.
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Post by mygigiscraps on Nov 30, 2018 12:24:44 GMT
Yes! We do an entire day of party food, refuse to travel, and we wear pajamas. Christmas is totally laid back in our family.
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Post by Linda on Nov 30, 2018 12:35:27 GMT
not for Christmas but for New Years Eve - and it's fun and easy. I ask everyone what their favourite appetiser is and make sure that's on the menu - add a couple of new recipes for fun and we just eat and watch movies.
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Post by Katie on Nov 30, 2018 13:00:32 GMT
We have done that twice and it is a lot of fun. We almost did it again this year too but Mom wanted something different.
Last year we did Papa Murphy’s Pizza. One year we did a mashed potato bar which was really good. We like to keep it easy!
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schizo319
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Posts: 3,030
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Post by schizo319 on Nov 30, 2018 13:07:40 GMT
We do appetizers on Christmas Eve. I think my mom and husband would revolt if I suggested skipping the traditional ham dinner.
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Post by LisaDV on Nov 30, 2018 13:35:48 GMT
If it's just my side of the family or just my immediate family, we do Christmas eve dinner and appetizers Christmas day. Leftovers when they need more. I really like this approach otherwise it seems like either I or my sister is stuck in the kitchen and not enjoying the time with family. I try to prep as much as possible the night or 2 nights before, but I do that with meals too. Sometimes making and freezing appetizers or fillings the week prior. (But if dd could do processed foods, I'd just buy some quality frozen ones and heat up).
When nay-sayers and those oppose to appetizers only are around, I also put out a crockpot of soup. And at one point in the day, we quickly grilled filet pieces and scallops & jumbo shrimp.
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Post by just PEAchy on Nov 30, 2018 13:37:27 GMT
We will rarely travel on Christmas Eve/Day, so it's just the 5 of us. We've been doing appetizers & finger foods for years. Nobody misses having a big meal. We always have meatballs, artichoke or Buffalo chicken dip, veggies & dip or a salad, funeral sandwiches and then whatever frozen appetizers I decide to buy. If I don't have cookies, then I will also bake a cherry pie. And, monkey bread for breakfast, always.
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Post by Karene on Nov 30, 2018 13:43:01 GMT
On my husband's side of the family, we celebrate Christmas Eve and have always done a buffet. Everyone contributes. There is usually a couple of crockpots with ribs and meatballs. My husband made lasagna one year, perogies another. I make a cheese dip with bread and usually a dessert. My mother in law makes her German potato salad and then there are other salads. There is always way too much food. And then we all sit wherever we can find a seat in the family room.
My side of the family, we always had a sit down meal. My mother would make as many dishes as possible ahead of time and freeze them. Now that my parents are gone, we just have a little dinner at home with our two sons coming home. We change it up every year. Then we go to my sister's along with my brothers and their families and we have a sit down dinner there on Boxing Day.
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