Christmas EVE Dinner Menu???

Question

I am going to try and make Christmas Eve dinner for my family. I want to do ALL the cooking and I'll be cooking for about 17 people. I was thinking that I could have a lot of things but none of the stuff LOOKS like it will take that long. I am not sure, but what things would be good to PRE cook & just heat up that day? How far in advance should I cook the stuff? Here's my potential menu (if u have any suggestions on recipes for what I have, things to add and recipes let me kno):
Chicken
Roast
Stuffing
Rice
Giblet Gravy
GreenBeans w/ potatoes
Mac & Cheese
Potato Salad
Yams
Pinto Beans
Squash Casserole
Cranberry Sauce
Cornbread
Bread Pudding, Sweet Potato Pie
Fruit Punch, Egg Nog, Apple Cider, Wine

THANKS to you all. I TRIED to make someone the 'best answer' but it won't let me...orrrrrrrrr maybe i just don't know how. but again thanks everyone.
O & it's such a big feast b/c i've been FAR away from home since august & i've been missing all these foods so i have to make up for it. LOL

Answer 1

Wow! That's a pretty big spread you got there...........You are going to need the oven the day of for the roast or do it in the crock pot.
So you can MIX the cornbread stuffing the day before & it'll be ready to pop in the oven. It doesn't take long to cook. Take it out of frig. early to get the chill out. This following can all be pre cooked and warmed in the microwave and be as good as fresh.

Mac/cheese the day before,
Potato salad the day before,
Yams the day before,
Squash casserole the day before,
The pies the day before,
Pinto beans the day before,
But your day before is going to be as busy as the actual day to!!! Ha.
The morning of put your roast in early, it'll take a few hours or do it in the crock pot!,
then cook the dressing, it doesn't 't take as long.
Make time for the chicken, don't know how youa re cooking that??
meanwhile do the rice,
green beans/potatoes,
giblet gravy,
Cornbread (you want that to be crusty & hot! Open the cranberry sauce,
Arrange the Punch, egg nog, cider & wine on a table of it's on with a table scape.
Prepare the table itself with Christmas, ribbon, greenery, glass tree balls, holly, what ever you have around, make it festive!!!!!
AND GOOD LUCK!!!!
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dchristmas%2Btablescape%26y%3DSearch%26ei%3DUTF-8%26x%3Dwrt%26js%3D1%26ni%3D20&w=500&h=333&imgurl=static.flickr.com%2F145%2F332959003_dde051fe77_m.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fliz%2F332959003%2F&size=81kB&name=332959003_dde051fe77.jpg&p=christmas+tablescape&type=jpeg&no=6&tt=18&oid=76fb0bb65a5f4b18&fusr=mamamusings&tit=Erin%27s+Tablescape&hurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fliz%2F&ei=UTF-8&src=p
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dchristmas%2Btablescape%26y%3DSearch%26ei%3DUTF-8%26x%3Dwrt%26js%3D1%26ni%3D20&w=500&h=333&imgurl=static.flickr.com%2F2%2F2142508_3d4a48d242_m.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fbiberfan%2F2142508%2F&size=38.9kB&name=2142508_3d4a48d242.jpg&p=christmas+tablescape&type=jpeg&no=10&tt=18&oid=1545f36d08e23bb8&fusr=biberfan&tit=Tablescape&hurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fbiberfan%2F&ei=UTF-8&src=p
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dfestive%2Bchristmas%2Btable%26ei%3DUTF-8%26js%3D1%26ni%3D20%26b%3D41&w=500&h=332&imgurl=static.flickr.com%2F3%2F2600122_3edc3da25b_m.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Ftwwilliams%2F2600122%2F&size=81.1kB&name=2600122_3edc3da25b.jpg&p=festive+christmas+table&type=jpeg&no=41&tt=352&oid=8175b45bd1139514&fusr=Tommy+Williams&tit=Festive+holiday+table&hurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Ftwwilliams%2F&ei=UTF-8&src=p
http://www.bottradionetwork.com/images/ChristmasLuncheon05/TableSetting300.jpg

Answer 2

You are cooking a FEAST! LOL! Good for you - I just love cooking for a big crowd! The only things that I would worry about making that day, are
Chicken
Roast
Rice
Gravy (although you could do this the day before, but are you going to use the drippings from the chicken or the roast?...if so, then it will have to be made that day.)
The rest of it can be made at LEAST 1 day before, even two, if need be, and then just reheat what needs to be reheated.
Happy Holidays to you!

Answer 3

Pretty much everything you listed (except for the chicken, roast, stuffing and yams) can be made earlier in the day (or even the day before) and reheated. What kind of roast are you making--prime rib, pot roast, what? Either way, if you have everything made up ahead of time, all you'll have to do is bake the meats. Since they probably bake at different temperatures for different lengths of time, I'd make the chicken first. Once you slice it off the bone, it's easily reheated in the microwave.

Sounds to me like you have plenty of food, and a good variety. What time are we eating? :D

Answer 4

=== Party Pinwheels Ingredients: 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix 2 green onions, minced 4 (12 inch) flour tortillas 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced 1/2 cup diced celery 1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese Directions: 1. In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and green onions. Spread this mixture on each tortilla. Sprinkle red pepper, celery, black olives, and cheese (if you'd like) over the cream cheese mixture. Roll up the tortillas, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. 2. Chill 2 hours or overnight. Cut off ends of the rolls, and slice the chilled rolls into 1 inch slices. ======================================... Hot Crab Dip Ingredients: 1/2 cup milk 1/3 cup salsa 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese 1 pound imitation crabmeat, flaked 1 cup chopped green onions 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles Directions: 1. In a small bowl, combine milk and salsa. Coat a slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Transfer the milk and salsa mixture into the slow cooker. Stir in cream cheese, crab, onions, and chilies. 2. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. ======================================...

Answer 5

I would try to cook all that morning . then reheat right before the company comes . I would suggest getting help to set up for the company . I would set up a table and do a buffet style dinner . good luck and god bless.

Answer 6

You can do this and it will be fantastic, your family should feel like royalty. One tip, if you are planning to eat with them, don't. This way you can concentrate on the meal and keeping everyone served and fed. I am envious, Merry Christmas!