Christmas has always been held in my parents' house. Except that, this year, they are in the middle of an interstate move. My newly married sister is hosting a large Christmas dinner for her new family. So it is up to me to host Christmas Eve (when we have our large meal, open presents at midnight, etc).
My apartment is rather small, but I can fit everyone in. There will be six people and I have 6 chairs - perfect (actually, I call that barely enough but I am not going to nitpick). I need to figure out some decorations and put a meal together, all on a non existent budget, since this was very unexpected. Any ideas, gentle folk?
For the meal, I thought of doing a buffet of light finger foods, for grazing (it is summer here and the family isn't very fond of big, heavy meals). I want to add some tapa style finger food as well. Can anyone point me towards some good recipes?
So far, the menu is:
Bread - ciabatta, southern biscuits, chapatti, French bread, whole grain bread (I will make the biscuits and the chapatti, and perhaps the whole grain as well)
Cheese - brie, goulda, parmesan
Spreads - tapenade, soft cheese, flavoured olive oil, a blue cheese, roasted garlic
Proteins - sliced deli meats, pulled pork for small sandwiches
Salad - a green salad, another salad (ideas, please!). I don't want to do a veggie tray because of all the peeling, slicing etc (the grocery stores here don't sell them ready made)
Dessert - no idea so far, but I need things that can be done before hand
Drinks
- beer (for dad)
- wine (for my mother)
- some type of juice
- soda for BiL (he is the only one that drinks soda)
- tomato juice
- plenty of water
What else do I need to think of? Also, any cheap but pretty decorating ideas?
