Re: Sara's playing Santa :)

[Guest guest]

make a list put everything from buying certain items to making sure the

crystal is clean.... spread as much over several days as possible... delagate

if you can ... and most of all,,, enjoy the family

ann

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/20/2000 10:24:18 AM Eastern Standard Time,

b4alltoday@... writes:

> I am cooking Christmas dinner for aprox. 16 family members this year oooh my

> I have never done anything like this before (I've been spoilt by MIL and my

> Mom doing all of the work for years) If anyone has any advice on how to

> make

> this run smooth, please pass on any tips. I tend to get overwhelmed with

> stuff like this.......soooo please help Heehee

>

> Merry Christmas too all and Happy Holidays

>

>

Kathy

I cant help u out in this prob.. My hubby always cook for the holidays and

then he cleans up after words..

tell sarah that she is a great lady...

have a Merry Christmas to u and ur family )

stacee

mommy to

Jaykob-Tyler

5-10-00 ds

more than a step mom to

maygan and makallah 6

and mikey 3

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/20/2000 10:24:27 AM Eastern Standard Time,

b4alltoday@... writes:

<< I am cooking Christmas dinner for aprox. 16 family members this year oooh

my

I have never done anything like this before (I've been spoilt by MIL and my

Mom doing all of the work for years) If anyone has any advice on how to make

this run smooth, please pass on any tips. I tend to get overwhelmed with

stuff like this.......soooo please help Heehee >>

Kathy,

Before moving to VA, I held most of the holiday dinners for my family.

Around 20-26 each time. I also went all out for baptisms and first

communions. had over 60 people for his baptismal dinner. Ok, I did

have some help with that one...a friend catered as a gift. Anyway, bake your

ham or turkey (or both), use crock pots for green beans, sweet potatoes, etc.

Prepare as much as you can the night before. You will be working your butt

off Christmas morning. My mom never had alcohol in her house and it took me

awhile before I would even have a drink of wine in front of

her....BUT...after awhile, I started drinking wine as I cooked. The more I

drank, the better mood I was in and tastier the food was. My mom laughed (my

last holiday memory of her at my house) and commented how happy I was

cooking.

I also only allowed certain people in the kitchen with me. Tim's great aunt

and my brother in law were my favorite co-chefs. I kept appetizers in

the other rooms for people to munch on. Nothing pisses off this cook more

than people (MIL and hubby especially) coming in to taste food as it is being

cooked.

I can't wait for my family to expand here in VA so I can have large dinners

again. Enjoy it, hosting the holiday meal is a real gift to your family.

[Guest guest]

From: <Ann@...>

> make a list put everything from buying certain items to making sure the

> crystal is clean.... spread as much over several days as possible...

delagate

> if you can ... and most of all,,, enjoy the family

Another bit of advice, my mom always decides ahead of time what serving

dishes she is going use and sets them out, each with a note on it indicating

which dish it will be used for. Sometimes she can be a little TOO

organized, but it saves the last minute search for the right size dish.

R.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/20/00 9:24:19 AM Central Standard Time,

b4alltoday@... writes:

<<

I am cooking Christmas dinner for aprox. 16 family members this year oooh my

I have never done anything like this before (I've been spoilt by MIL and my

Mom doing all of the work for years) If anyone has any advice on how to make

this run smooth, please pass on any tips. I tend to get overwhelmed with

stuff like this.......soooo please help Heehee

Merry Christmas too all and Happy Holidays

Kathy mom to Sara 9

>>

Kathy,

I do Christmas dinner every year for at least 12 people. I'm very lucky that

my family brings many of the things. Actually, other people are bringing

everything but the dishes this year since I have the baby and don't have the

time to cook everything. My secret to surviving is to get as many people as

possible to help out. Here everyone has their assignments. You come, you

bring, even my non-cooking brother-in-law is expected to contribute. He

brings pickles and olives.

I also buy as much prepared stuff as possible. No homemade gravy here.

Good luck and have fun.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/21/00 12:04:48 AM Eastern Standard Time,

c1ndysue1@... writes:

<< Nothing pisses off this cook more

than people (MIL and hubby especially) coming in to taste food as it is

being

cooked. >>

I hated how my guests ruined some of my good dishes in their zeal to " help "

clean the dishes and get that done! Finally, I bought some junk plates and

stuff for Thanksgiving and only bring out my good stuff at Christmas.

For big crowds I always make a list of what needs to get done when. I make

the desserts the night before, set the table the night before, do anything

fancy with your butter, relishes, etc. the night before. If you have

stuffing, make it the night before!

Assign someone to be the drink/ice person, keep them filling people's glasses

to keep them out of your way, keep appetizers far away from kitchen to keep

people out of your way! If you have people bringing food, make sure they

bring what they said they would and make sure they prepare it BEFORE they get

to your house. When people want to volunteer for me, I have them bring

desserts, appetizers, rolls, etc, stuff that won't be trouble for me to heat

up, finishe preparing, etc.

Good luck, no matter what happens, it is still nice to have a crowd together.

And like , I taste the wine while I cook!! ;-)

Cheryl in VA

[Guest guest]

What a wonderful way to teach about the giving aspect of the holiday season.

Sounds like Sara is getting it right. I have a little advice when feeding

many. Casseroles that are simple are a great idea and can feed multitudes.

Also, buy pies you just have to thaw and eat or already made desserts. I am

not much of a baker, so I make the homemade stuff that I can like dressing,

casseroles, turkey, bread (with my machine), etc.

I have this great potato casserole recipe. It was given to me by my aunt.

1 pkg. hash brown cubes (frozen)

1 8 oz. sour cream (I use light)

1 can cheddar cheese soup

dehydrated onion chips to taste

mix together and bake at 300 until the potatoes are done. Bake lower if the

cheese starts to burn.

Good luck. I am so terribly homesick right now.

Elaine

Sara's playing Santa

> HI

>

> School is out till the 3rd YIPPEE and Miss Sara is up at school right now

> passing out 600.00 worth of Nickelodeon school supplies (teachers have an

In

> Service day) .

>

> My sister (the 6th grade teacher) who lives in Nashville arrived yesterday

> bearing gifts for Sara's class. She went to a surplus store that was

getting

> rid of Nickelodeon displays and supplies. When the kids come back to

school,

> all will receive a NIC dry erase board set, one for school and one for

home

> Sara has really gotten into Christmas this year, not the receiving part

> but the giving part she is a happy giver

>

> I am cooking Christmas dinner for aprox. 16 family members this year oooh

my

> I have never done anything like this before (I've been spoilt by MIL and

my

> Mom doing all of the work for years) If anyone has any advice on how to

make

> this run smooth, please pass on any tips. I tend to get overwhelmed with

> stuff like this.......soooo please help Heehee

>

> Merry Christmas too all and Happy Holidays

>

> Kathy mom to Sara 9

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/20/00 11:04:45 PM Central Standard Time,

c1ndysue1@... writes:

<< ..after awhile, I started drinking wine as I cooked. The more I

drank, the better mood I was in and tastier the food was. My mom laughed

(my

last holiday memory of her at my house) and commented how happy I was

cooking. >>

LOL, that is cute.

On another note my mom was at my house for her last Christmas too

holiday hugs,

Barbara