I'm hosting an Orphan Christmas

[lurkingdobalina]

And I've never hosted Christmas before!  I'm hosting 12 adults who have no family in the city. Altogether we'll be 17 including adults and children.  I'm feeling off about that number, and I can fit 24 at the table.  Should I add more people?

I need help with:

• Menu (can Christmas dinner be kosher?  It's ok if not)
• Decor  I can buy all the things in red and green but eh centerpieces?
• Do people get gifts at their seats?
• What is a good go to gift for adults you don't know?
• Do you play Christmas carols during dinner?

Help me make my one and only Christmas Dinner a spectacular.  I have never been to a Christmas dinner and all I know I learned from Christmas carols and TV!


EDIT:  It's 19 because I forgot to count myself and the baby! 19 is a terrible number for a dinner party!

[penguingrrl]

How fun!!!
Christmas dinner can absolutely be kosher. There is no "classic" Christmas dinner that I'm aware of other than the Italian tradition of 7 fishes on Christmas Eve. My family often gets a nice cut of beef and does whatever sides. Ours often have some sort of dairy, but that would be easily avoided. Other people I know do lasagna or a turkey.

Decor is totally and completely up to you.

I have never seen gifts at seats. IME the gifts go under the tree, even if it's later in the day or on another day.

For adults I don't know I go with more generic gifts as I would do for any other occasion. Chocolates, candles, stuff like that.

I play Christmas carols during dinner, but I basically have nonstop Christmas carols from Thanksgiving until New Years because I'm a dork lol!

[Deleted]

I would ask each person to bring a wrapped $20 gift and play the dirty santa/gift stealing game. You don't need to buy for everyone.
I know nothing about kosher. I like a big beef roast or turkey, with mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted veggies (carrots, brussel sprouts, whatever), one fresh salad, and then a dessert.

[laurenpetro]

I love this post so hard.

[laurenpetro]

Yes dinner can be kosher. You don't have to have ham. As long as it's "in season" and celebratory you're good.

Now I want latkes at Christmas!

[Deleted]

www.celebrations.com/c/read/how-to-play-dirty-santa

There are rules for the gift game there. Seriously, it's easy and fun. And not too expensive.

[MrsAxilla]

Dec 10, 2015 12:07:39 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I would ask each person to bring a wrapped $20 gift and play the dirty santa/gift stealing game. You don't need to buy for everyone.
I know nothing about kosher. I like a big beef roast or turkey, with mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted veggies (carrots, brussel sprouts, whatever), one fresh salad, and then a dessert.

This is a great idea for a group that doesn't really know each other.  Are you going to have a tree?  You can get a little one and a box of glass ornaments is inexpensive.  My parents always play Christmas music at dinner, but since they're secular, it's always the 'fun' channel instead of the religious one.  I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus versus Hark the Herald Angels Sing. 

I think it's awesome you're doing this!  It will be fun!

[mrsukyankee]

We have gone to an orphan's Christmas every year. We tend to have Christmas music in the background (though it's orchestral rather than sing songy). We eat turkey since it's England, but honestly, I've had lamb, beef and fish for Christmas in the past. And I love the idea of a secret santa or gift game.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

This is awesome. Let us teach you our Christmas ways!

I think dirty Santa exchange is a fun idea! You can put whatever dollar limit on it you want, but $20 is pretty standard. Christmas tunes are a must! You can probably find some inexpensive green-and-red plaid cloth napkins and a runner to fancy up the table.

Every family has their own traditional menu. Ours is prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, mashed or baked potatoes, green beans and a salad. And I like to make this White Chocolate and Cranberry Gingerbread Trifle for dessert, but a chocolate Yule Log cake is also traditional. 

Have fun!

[StrawberryBlondie]

This might be a UO, but if you do Christmas music, play it quietly and make sure the same songs aren't getting played over and over. I HATE most Christmas music. Like stab my ears out hate it. Listening to the 4th rendition of Little Drummer Boy in 2 hours makes me want to kill myself.

[msmerymac]

How fun!

I usually turn on one of the music channels on TV that plays Christmas music when I have people over around the holidays. It's free if you have cable, and won't be repetitive. Of course, there's one channel that plays really annoying Christmas songs, which my husband chose the other day, so be discerning!

Our traditional Christmas dinner growing up was either ham or roast beef, and then traditional sides, like mashed potatoes or German potato salad, green beans, maybe candied yams. You could make the sides without dairy and use kosher beef, no problem. Most people wouldn't even know it was kosher. Salmon is also a good option. Or a veggie lasagna if you know your guests are open to that. It would be nice to have some apps out when people arrive, as well - cheese plate, veggies and dip, any of the frozen apps from trader joes, mixed nuts. And don't forget some cookies or a holiday dessert!

Oh, for centerpieces. Do you have Michaels or something near you? They sell plenty of centerpieces. A wreath with candles in the middle on top of a mirror, maybe, is pretty classic. Or a glass bowl with some ball-type Christmas ornaments. Taper candles if you have enough candle sticks are a must for Christmas dinner!

Gifts don't need to be at seats, but if you want to get small items and incorporate them into place cards, that would be really cute. Maybe gift cards?

[omgzombies]

The baby doesn't count. So it's 18, which a perfect number

[hocus2]

I'd do a light touch on Christmas aspects as it sounds like some of the guests don't actually celebrate.


Menu (can Christmas dinner be kosher? It's ok if not)

Sure. I'd look up kosher dinner plans and see what strikes your fancy. You could do rack of lamb or chicken. The only thing that might through you off is that you can't have butter or milk in anything if you do meat. That can make some sides like mashed tricky and can create issues with dessert as well

Decor I can buy all the things in red and green but eh centerpieces?


Do people get gifts at their seats?
No. Honestly I'd just have gifts for the kids. Something simple like winter coloring books.

What is a good go to gift for adults you don't know?
Wine, chocolate, gift card to a local place that is popular in winter (the best coco in town).

Do you play Christmas carols during dinner?
You can if you want, but I'd probably just have it on before while people arrive. Like others I'm not a huge fan of Christmas music.


Read more: pandce.proboards.com/thread/498998/hosting-orphan-christmas#ixzz3twr32g00

[LadySusan]

Yay! Parties!

Menu: I don't get Martha Stewart Living anymore but I remember that the December issues are always full of festive foods for Hanukkah and Christmas. The only food that I feel is traditional is (are?) Christmas cookies and I anticipate that at least some people will bring plates of cookies.

Decor: Centerpieces are nice but certainly not necessary. I only know one person in real life that decorates like Martha Stewart magazine or on TV shows. I mean, we have a tree and a wreath but we don't redecorate in red/green. We don't do table decorations in my family except for candles and a non-Christmas tablecloth. Basically, our Christmas dinner is similar to any other dinner where we cook fancy food together.

Gifts: Do people get gifts at their seats? No! In fact, did you know that the guests are supposed to bring you little hostess gifts? Probably chocolate, candles and bottles of wine. I really like the gift stealing game idea. I think it will help in your potentially awkward situation where people wonder if they are supposed to get gifts for everyone or no one or what. We called it a "white elephant gift exchange" at my work so the game goes by different names.

Music: I like the "R&B/Pop Holiday Radio" station on Pandora. You may need to "train" Pandora. You could probably also play the Nutcracker Ballet quietly in the background.

[secretlyevil]

Dec 10, 2015 13:36:39 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

This might be a UO, but if you do Christmas music, play it quietly and make sure the same songs aren't getting played over and over. I HATE most Christmas music. Like stab my ears out hate it. Listening to the 4th rendition of Little Drummer Boy in 2 hours makes me want to kill myself.

Grinch

[StrawberryBlondie]

Dec 10, 2015 15:12:23 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Dec 10, 2015 13:36:39 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

This might be a UO, but if you do Christmas music, play it quietly and make sure the same songs aren't getting played over and over. I HATE most Christmas music. Like stab my ears out hate it. Listening to the 4th rendition of Little Drummer Boy in 2 hours makes me want to kill myself.

Grinch

I wear that badge proudly. If hating that stupid John Lennon Christmas song is wrong, I really don't want to be right.

[secretlyevil]

I like the dirty Santa idea

Fun Xmas music in the background. Pandora, etc. has a ton to choose from.

Dollar store / Michals will have inexpensive decor

Another idea for food is Italian. My ILs always have a big italian-themed dinner at Xmas.

Have fun!

[pixy0stix]

For my family, we basically have second thanksgiving for xmas. So all the thanksgiving foods. nom nom nom.

[MrsAxilla]

Dec 10, 2015 15:15:02 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Dec 10, 2015 15:12:23 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Grinch

I wear that badge proudly. If hating that stupid John Lennon Christmas song is wrong, I really don't want to be right.

The ONLY acceptable time the words "hate", "John Lennon", and "song" may appear together in the same sentence is: "I hate that the world will never hear a new John Lennon song!"  

OUT!

[2curlydogs]

I love this idea.

My family does a standing rib roast for Christmas. So definitely can be kosher. I have a recipe for a dijon-horseradish encrusted one that is TO DIE FOR if you want. I made it for Christmas in 2008 or 2009 when we hosted both our families (roughly 30 people).

[StrawberryBlondie]

Dec 10, 2015 16:33:11 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Dec 10, 2015 15:15:02 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I wear that badge proudly. If hating that stupid John Lennon Christmas song is wrong, I really don't want to be right.

The ONLY acceptable time the words "hate", "John Lennon", and "song" may appear together in the same sentence is: "I hate that the world will never hear a new John Lennon song!"  

OUT!

You seriously like that Merry Christmas War is Over song with the terrible out of tune boy choir?

I mean, I like John Lennon a lot, but that song needs to never see the light of day again.

I may be biased though. I have an unnatural hatred of boy choirs.

[Vespasia]

Dec 10, 2015 16:42:21 GMT -5 2curlydogs said:

I love this idea.

My family does a standing rib roast for Christmas. So definitely can be kosher. I have a recipe for a dijon-horseradish encrusted one that is TO DIE FOR if you want. I made it for Christmas in 2008 or 2009 when we hosted both our families (roughly 30 people).

I need this recipe please and thank you. 

[lurkingdobalina]

Yes please to all the recipes.

I have a guy who cooks for me and his family is all far away.  He celebrates Christmas, but always, always, always wants more hours and overtime.  I have never met a harder worker in.my.life and I come from a family of hard workers.  I asked Julio if he'd cook for us on Christmas Day and he was so happy.  So he gets time and a  half for cooking, he'll get to eat with us (that makes 20!) AND I'm going to drop a cash bonus on him like whoa.  I also have a computer set up to Skype if he wants to.

I went down the pinterest rabbit hole of table settings and there are some amazing ones.  Apparently British people put fire crackers on the plates.  I found that oddly endearing. I guess if your family bothers you, blammo!

And I'm buying holiday plates because the ones with the gingerbread men are so cute its physically painful.

There is a CD on Amazon called "Christmas Background Music" Jazz style.  So that solves that conundrum.  But I don't like the idea of stealing presents.  I just want to get everyone something nice and festive.  Wine is a good idea.  

Roast Beef is an amazing idea.  I guess I thought you ate ham on Christmas.  Or duck.  My nieces are SO excited to be hosting a Christmas dinner.  They have all kinds of plans and the karaoke machine has been mentioned.  I'm sure Santa does Karoke.  (Santa is coming, too!)  I am going to buy a Christmas tree from Macy's tomorrow.  People are going to start to talk about me.

[2curlydogs]

Dec 10, 2015 17:08:47 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

Dec 10, 2015 16:42:21 GMT -5 2curlydogs said:

I love this idea.

My family does a standing rib roast for Christmas. So definitely can be kosher. I have a recipe for a dijon-horseradish encrusted one that is TO DIE FOR if you want. I made it for Christmas in 2008 or 2009 when we hosted both our families (roughly 30 people).

I need this recipe please and thank you. 

It's one of those rare ones that comes from a print cookbook with no online equivalent. This is what I have on my blog. Keep in mind, it was to feed 30 people. I think the 15 lbs listed there was the bone-less weight? Or maybe it was a 15 rib rib roast? We ended up with ZERO leftovers, either way.

whatrecipe.blogspot.com/2008/12/dijon-horseradish-crusted-rib-roast.html

Dijon-Horseradish Crusted Rib Roast with Horseradish-Mustard Sauce and Pan Jus



3 tbsp Dijon mustard

3 tbsp prepared Horseradish

3 tsp herbes de provence

4 1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 1/2 tsp freshly-ground black pepper

15 lb standing rib roast, boned and tied



Horseradish-Mustard Sauce

3/4 cup prepared horseradish

1/2 cup stone-ground mustard

1/4 cup white vinegar



Pan Jus

2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon

3 cups beef stock

Salt & Pepper to taste



Combine the Dijon mustard, horseradish and herbes in a small bowl. Place rib roast fat side up in a roasting pan. Liberally apply the mustard mix to the surface of the roast. Place roast in cold oven. If your oven has a temperature probe, use it, following manufacturer's instructions. Turn oven on and heat to 425ºF for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350ºF and cook until internal temperature reaches 130º (figure 15 minutes per lb). Turn oven off and leave door closed.



While roast cooks, mix together ingredients for the horseradish-mustard sauce. Refrigerate until it's time to serve.



30 minutes before serving, turn oven back on at 250º to bring roast to temp (about 150ºF internal temp). Remove roast from oven, cover with foil to keep warm.



Place pan on stovetop over medium heat. Add wine and beef stock, bring to a boil, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits. Cook until liquid reduced by half. Run jus thru fat separator to discard the fat and solids.



Carve roast, setting ribs aside (some people like to gnaw on them but they also make great bones for soup/stock). Serve with jus and horseradish-mustard sauce


ETA: OH. And I totally made beef stock from the ribs and it was also fan-fucking-tastic. Some of the best, richest beef stock I've ever had. 

[Deleted]

We never had set Christmas menus, so yes, it can be kosher. A nice meat dish and sides are a good way to go.

Really anything shiny and wintery can also work for Christmas decorations

Do you have a dollar store nearby? That's a good way to get decorations cheap. Or borrow stuff from a friend? We've always had more decorations that we put up at one time.

Have fun!

[Deleted]

My favorite Christmas food has been bierocks, but unless you have a bunch of Midwestern Christmas orphans, that will make no sense;)

[MrsAxilla]

Dec 10, 2015 16:53:05 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Dec 10, 2015 16:33:11 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

The ONLY acceptable time the words "hate", "John Lennon", and "song" may appear together in the same sentence is: "I hate that the world will never hear a new John Lennon song!"  

OUT!

You seriously like that Merry Christmas War is Over song with the terrible out of tune boy choir?

I mean, I like John Lennon a lot, but that song needs to never see the light of day again.

I may be biased though. I have an unnatural hatred of boy choirs.

I don't think I've ever heard it.  

[underwaterrhymes]

Dec 10, 2015 17:48:02 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

they aren't really fire crackers. They are crackers. They pop when you open them, and have paper crowns and small (gumball machine type) toys inside. Williams Sonoma sells them here locally.

Yes, they are just little wrapped packages that make a popping noise when you pull the ends.

M grandmother is Bristish and this was w a huge part four tradition growing up. It's a lot of fun and you can order them online.

She would also make a bread pudding and hide a coin. The person who gets a coin in their piece has good luck for the year:

[FloFTW]

I love the Dirty Santa idea but with one suggestion: make it adults only and buy gifts for each kid to make sure they get something good. Doesn't have to be something expensive at all; just something for them to unwrap and maybe something they can all play with after dinner.

We are going to a friend's annual party this weekend where the Dirty Samta exchange is bottles of liquor. SO MUCH FUN.

[pixy0stix]

For the centerpiece, if you're willing to throw some money at it, I'd call a local florist shop and order some fresh greens/flowers for it. I did that for Thanksgiving and was really happy with it. I had it delivered the day before.