I'm bookmarking this because my dad's side of the family is coming at Christmas. Normally it's just the two of us. But we're going to be adding 11 - 12 people. For like a week. We bought a double oven. I'm scared. At least our house is big?
I had already been planning breakfasts, though, with Costco involved:
Oh, and for other meals I was thinking carnitas one night that people can make tacos out of. And probably lasagna. We make our own and freeze it, so next time we make it I think we'll just plan to make the Christmas batch at the same time. Also maybe soups -- we can make extra when we make it for ourselves for the next couple of months, freeze, and have it to serve with that par-baked bread and salad. Or something.
How would you prepare? I plan to go Costco and stock up but I need ideas. I will stock up on 4 cases of beer, liquor and mixers but I need snack and food ideas.
omg Pibs - 11 - 12 guests for a week would be too much even for me.
Not gonna lie - I'm kind of terrified. But also excited because I'd rather do this than have to deal with flying home to the Midwest and cramming in visits to see everyone. My mom is already worried that it's going to be stressful on me, so I know she's going to bust her butt to make it less stressful for us so I know I've got backup if I freak out.
omg Pibs - 11 - 12 guests for a week would be too much even for me.
Not gonna lie - I'm kind of terrified. But also excited because I'd rather do this than have to deal with flying home to the Midwest and cramming in visits to see everyone. My mom is already worried that it's going to be stressful on me, so I know she's going to bust her butt to make it less stressful for us so I know I've got backup if I freak out.
That's good. I would solicit as much help as you can from guests, honestly. "Hey who can come make a salad / man the toaster while I scramble the eggs / help me clear dishes?" Request involvement from the start and people will (hopefully) keep offering. There is no reason 12 people should expect you to wait on them hand and foot for a week.
Not gonna lie - I'm kind of terrified. But also excited because I'd rather do this than have to deal with flying home to the Midwest and cramming in visits to see everyone. My mom is already worried that it's going to be stressful on me, so I know she's going to bust her butt to make it less stressful for us so I know I've got backup if I freak out.
That's good. I would solicit as much help as you can from guests, honestly. "Hey who can come make a salad / man the toaster while I scramble the eggs / help me clear dishes?" Request involvement from the start and people will (hopefully) keep offering. There is no reason 12 people should expect you to wait on them hand and foot for a week.
Oh, they won't. Or at least we/they didn't when we were at my Uncle's a couple years ago. The upside is that my brother and his fiance just bought a house and also live in the area, so we can even kick some of them out if needed. And we have a website that allows you to order in from places that don't normally deliver and brings it to you, so I figure we can use them for a meal or two. I mean, when else am I going to spend the $200 minimum on wings to get the fancy ones from Portland delivered to the suburbs? :-D
I'm with dexteroni & love to have company. This sounds like so much fun to me. I didn't realize how uncommon it was to love lots of company!
My biggest worry would be towels. Plan to do a load or two of towels while everyone is there. Even if no one minds using towels two days in a row, you may not have enough space for everyone to dry them and still know which towel they used (unless your towels are all different colors.
I think everyone has the food pretty well covered. I like to make homemade chewy granola bars when we have a lot of company. They're super easy to make, filling, and it's nice to have something homemade. I make as many batches as 9x13 pans that I own. Use the same mixing bowl over & over and only have to do dishes once!
I also make pulled pork and/or chicken salad when we have a lot of people over,
I think I'm also in the minority here, too, but I HATE serving cold cut sandwiches to guests. It has nothing to do with homemade/fancy and everything to do with too many THINGS to pull out. Breads, meats, cheeses, toppings, condiments, etc...too many packages and it takes up too much space on the table. I find it easier to throw a big chunk of pork in the crockpot at night before I go to bed. Add a can of beer, maybe onions, brown sugar & a little sauce. The next morning, throw meat in the Kitchenaid to shred (15 seconds), put back in crock pot, and add BBQ sauce. Lunch is now on the counter ready whenever anyone wants to eat.
(I hate having cold cut sandwiches at home anytime, not just when guests are here.)
I think I'm also in the minority here, too, but I HATE serving cold cut sandwiches to guests. It has nothing to do with homemade/fancy and everything to do with too many THINGS to pull out. Breads, meats, cheeses, toppings, condiments, etc...too many packages and it takes up too much space on the table.
When I do cold cuts for group lunches, I keep it all in one bin in the fridge - meats, cheeses, mustard, mayo, pickles. It makes it easy for me to put out, or for anyone to whip up a quick sandwich.
I don't offer toppings. What would that even be? Those tiny pickles on toothpicks? lol. Anyone is willing to raid the door for roasted red peppers, other condiments/add-ons, etc., but I don't make them part of the basic offering.
ETA: I will put out lettuce and sliced tomatoes if I'm getting stuff out for the group to eat all at once, but otherwise people are on their own with that. Most are fine without them.
Post by sandytoes on Sept 19, 2014 22:24:31 GMT -5
I just spent a weekend with 5 couples and everyone's kids. We split the meals..someone took breakfast one day, someone took dinner etc. one morning was a casserole. Another morning was bagels and bacon. Someone made a huge tray of baked ziti and meatballs. That ended up being a lunch as we'll. Hot dogs and hamburgers filled in the rest. TONS of chips pretzels guacamole salsa. Everyone are more snacks than meals Booze was first priority....so a large pitcher of sangria was made! Besides 5 cases of beer
I think this sounds like fun, but I have always been a bit Monica when it comes to hosting. Two days is just enough time to not go crazy, it's like a giant slumber party. Ok, I do t know where you live but my group of friends likes to go out to eat. I would stock up on drinks. Bottled waters, sodas, alcohol you covered, gatorades, etc.... Half of my fridge would be drinks honestly. Then I would stock up on Cheetos puffs (because omg), other less amazing chips, pretzels, dips, salsa, cheese, guac, crackers, etc. you will also need simple breakfast things like fruit, bagels and cream cheese, cereal,cinnamon rolls, coffee, flavored creamers and regular cream.
Our friends are flying out from the Midwest to see a concert.
Look Ralph you're being really nice but this means they are too cheap to get hotel rooms. Don't let them take advantage.
This is where my thoughts are. WHY do these people prefer to bunk up dorm style instead of having a dignified room and private bathroom? I think even rented cabins and beach houses are another story. These people are planning to come treat your *home* like boarding en masse.
I would feel comfortable staying with friends with maaaaybe one other couple. Four others? No, I would not do it. And are you the only one contemplating the logistics? They didn't bother to mention they'd be dining out or sight seeing? They left you to ponder whether they'd be squatting and requiring two days of seating/entertainment in your home???
I don't have seating for 12 people in any one room without rearranging furniture....like for one evening of entertaining in a pre-selected part of the house.
This sounds like a lot of fun to me. I would plan breakfast and dinner and let them fend for themselves for lunch. Breakfast is a big pan of scrambled eggs, bacon, big bowl of fruit from Costco and muffins (don't forget the mimosas!).. Dinner is BBQ get a Costco pack of burgers and the fixins, some sides, salad and Beer. Maybe some lemon cake for dessert.
Stock the bathrooms with TP and towels. I love having house guests and big parties, the more the merrier I say!
Post by captainobvious on Sept 20, 2014 0:24:57 GMT -5
1. Get hummus, pita chips and the spinach dip at Costco. 2. Go elsewhere for a few hours (I'm officially inviting you for a drink to make that work) 3. If I was feeling extra nice, a things to do in the area list w/distance from the house.
-lots of bagels -cream cheese -milk -OJ -yogurt cups -crackers -cheese -couple boxes of cereal -bag of granola for the yogurt -a couple bags of apples -bisquick (in the bottle) -couple dozen eggs -several loaves of bread -deli meat -frozen pizzas -bagged salad -bananas -pretzels -bottled water
I've done this a couple times. I always make a breakfast casserole for the first morning. Then I usually make things like chili, lasagna, Italian sausage penne, chicken Alfredo, pulled pork sandwiches, soup & grilled cheese. I usually buy some little frozen pizzas if there are any kids.
I would stock up an whole fruit, yogurt, granola bars and chips and salsa and cookies of some sort. That's what actually gets eaten at my house when I have guests. If you have a super healthy eater add to that.
I'd probably just do brunch and dinner, especially if these tend to be late night people. No need for 3 meals. They can fill in with snacks.
If you want to cook dinner, I would make ahead 2-3 pans each of lasagna and enchiladas. They'll be fine in the fridge for two days and toss in the oven when it's appropriate.
Have lots of disposable dishes on hand.
Stocking up on plungers and TP is a good idea. I would also make sure a few feminine products are in each bathroom and put the Advil in an easily accessible spot. I wouldn't worry about other meds--that's about the only one people ask me for.
I think this sounds like fun to have a ton of friends over:). Have a good time!
I think you've got it covered with everyone else's food suggestions! But I would straight up ask your guests to bring their own towels, and possibly bedding/sleeping bags. Unless you have 14 sets of towels and sheets etc lying around? (I most certainly don't).