My husband has a large family approximately 16 people then 4 more with mine so 20?

Question

Well we all decided to have Christmas at my house. Our house isnt very big but it is in the center from where everyone else lives so its conveinent. We are celebrating it before X-mas so the kids can enjoy their gifts on X-mas. My question is does anyone have any ideas on how to accomplish the party without everyone feeling cramped also any ideas on decorations (maybe cheap or homemade) that can be put up to make it look beautiful. And any food ideas would be great!! Thanks so much in advance for all of your help.

Answer 1

First things first - catering for 20 people will be tough, but it is do-able. However you'll probably struggle to do a full Christmas roast round a table - My mum is trained in catering, and if she has to cook for any more than 12 people, she generally does a buffet style arrangement, so people can serve themselves, rather than trying to serve up 20 plates in the kitchen all in one go.

The advantage with buffet stuff is some can be prepared a few days in advance, some the day before, other things are quick and easy (if you've got older kids/teenagers, they can help with some things - i still swear by cheese and pineapple on cocktail sticks for parties!), and some you'll need to do on the day. Spreading the food prep over a few days will be less stressful than having to do it all the night before and the morning of the party.

Definitely push all the furniture back. Obviously adults will want to sit on chairs, but since you've mentioned you've got kids, how about putting a picnic blanket on the floor, for all the smaller ones to sit on?

I presume you can still get them, but you can buy books with strips of coloured/shiny paper where you lick one end and fold it over to make a loop, and then you just make a chain of loops and stick them up with blu-tack - they're really cheap, and even your kids can help make them. Red, green, gold and silver (or combinations of them) give the most Christmassy feel. Most places sell cheap fairy lights and you can put these round the doors and windows. A tree in the corner and you're all set!

Answer 2

The first thing you do need is a nicely decorated Christmas tree where people can put down the gifts. That looks festive.In order to maximise your space make sure most of your Christmas decorations are at the wall level such as string lights around the window , which can be inexpensive to buy. Other decorations should be against the wall. e.g a happy christmas banner (which you could make yourself with the kids), a christmas wreath. The lights around the window can look very festive.Now because there are so many people I would get paper plates and cups with Christmas designs so it looks festive and minimises your washing up. The previous poster was right to say that a sit down meal would be difficult so what you need to do is put food out and let people help themselves and sit all around where they feel comfortable.Turkey can be presliced by you. And ham off the bone can be bought. Cold meats, devilled eggs, cheese, cake/pie,biscuits etc.

Answer 3

Usually the food helps determine the type of party that you are hosting. Try serving "finger foods" and snacks if you don't have enough room for everyone to sit down together for a meal. This will encourage people to sit in other places instead of trying to gather around a table.

Keep decorations small or it will take away from the space that you have available. Garland is a good way to go because it can be easily moved or "pushed" aside as needed.

Answer 4

make room for people by moving furniture out of the way, put it in the garage or a spare room. get some folding tables and chairs to set out so you have enough room for everyone to sit down for dinner. have a table just for all the food and serve buffet style. have an area for the kids to go so they can be out of the way, maybe the basement? have a TV and games for them to keep busy. for decorations, have inexpensive table cloths on all the tables, get some small poinsettias for centerpieces or cut some branches from a pine tree and place candles in the middle. other than the tree and your normal Christmas decorations, I don't think you'll need much else. you can always go to your local thrift store and see what they have for any extra decorations, or the dollar store. you can make a wreath of your own to hang on the door, get a foam center and cut off branches from a pine tree and tie a ribbon on it. make some holiday punch instead of buying a whole bunch of soda that gets half drunk and wasted (cuz a house of 20 you're gonna forget where you set your can!) have the kids do a craft, take pine cones cover them in peanut butter and sprinkle with bird seed, tie on a string and have them hang them in the yard.

Answer 5

I'm not sure where you are from, but if you are in a warmer climant you can spill it outdoors. I live in a colder area but we still end up outdoors because my mom's house isn't large either. I would go to the dollar store for decorations. It's only for one night so it doesn't have to look lavish. They have really cute snowman and Santas. Or try your local drug store. Food wise, we always go with a potluck sort of theme. Deli trays, desserts, and drinks. That way you aren't footin' the whole bill and mess.

Answer 6

Christmas is a wonderful time, but it can be hectic. Palets on the floor or air mattresses may help. Or if you are in a warmer climate, a tent , and a bondfire to roast marshmellows is wonderful for activities. Al so a cheap food , but very filling dish my mother use to make when there was alot of us to feed.
It consisted of a layer of bread, then a layer of cheese, a layer of pork and beans and strips of bacon on top. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the bacon is done on top. Yum! She made three pans full. We never had enough left over to warm up. Hope your holidays are special for you and yours. Blessed Be!

Answer 7

well no matter how you have your furniture set up i would say push everything to the walls so it is more open and can handle 20+ people and also everyone can sit around and talk.