Setting the Scene for Christmas
The most important meal of the day was dependent on whether your family held lunch or dinner. Quite often one family would hold lunch while another would hold dinner. This was done in order to distribute the load of the days activities, workload and expenses equally, and so that fun could be had by all. It is a time for laughter, singing, exchanging gifts and games, with neighbours and friends dropping in throughout the day.
The food was hardy, comforting and for the most part, simple. Consisting of what was available in the season and what was preserved. The Christmas tree was the centrepiece of all the Christmas decorations and the house was strewn throughout with pine branches, red ribbons and bowls of fruit and nuts.
Candles mainly used for lighting are now more of a decorative item with best dishes and servingware used for the main meal. People were dressed in their finest clothes and accessories. Crackers, mistletoe, holy and ivy were used to add colour and further liven the house and the proceedings. The tradition of giving food to your visitors to take home with them has now turned into favours which consist mostly of candy, cookies and cakes.
Also, you should have got all your tableware such as tablecloth, napkins and napkin rings, crockery, cutlery and glassware ready for the lunch by now. Leave as little for yourself and your family to do before lunch as possible. Setting the table the day before and turning all your table ware upside down or covering the setting with a light cloth will help keep the dust off and have it all ready when it is needed.
It is acceptable to serve turkey, ham or pork but not goose as it is quite a heavy meat. Dinner should be light to compensate for the big lunch and any possible leftovers.
Breakfast should be a hearty meal for energy and endurance, choose recipes that will give you long lasting energy. Lunch on the other hand should be lighter in preparation for dinner. The dinner should be a lavish meal with several courses and reasonable breaks between meals. This way you and your guests are less likely to overeat and everyone will have room for that spectacular dessert.
Simplicity in food choices is the ideal as is keeping it warm. Timed distribution of the food is necessary to keep the mood going and everyone happy. Do not make this a sit down meal, this will complicate things. Also using your best tableware might not be recommended as with all the movement there is a possibility of something being broken.
You might want to make some cornucopias to give away to your guest in the week before Christmas and store them in a cool evenly heated place that has little moisture. You can either make or buy the candy and biscuits. Use colourful cardboard to make the cornucopia. Wrap it with decorative cellophane and finish with beautiful bows.
Another traditional decoration for the Christmas period is the Fruit pomanders. That is oranges decorated with cloves and ribbons. There is a huge variety of patterns but if you are a novice go for simplicity. Use satin ribbons they give the best effect and can be hung without the possibility of breaking.
Table decorations can be as simple as a big glass bowl filled with Christmas balls, pine cones or fruit, or it can be as complicated as a wreath made out of fresh pine branches, fruit, poinsettias and bows. Candles always make a great mood builder and having groups of candles together can be very effective. Again if you are a novice stick to simple and easy to do.Traditional Christmas
Traditional Christmas celebrations talk of warm comforting food with lots of family and friends around you to help you celebrate. Houses are decorated with apples, pears, nuts, oranges and strings of popcorn and cranberries. A fire roaring in the fireplace with smells of cinnamon, clove and baking floating through the house.Christmas Lunch
If your main meal of the day is lunch - you should start of the day with a quick and energetic breakfast that won't take to long to prepare and will give you the energy for the upcoming day. You should have finished all your decoration, gift wrapping and some of your food preparation in the previous few days.Christmas Dinner
If your main meal of the day is dinner, you will have more time on your hands to prepare the feast, however you should have like with the Christmas lunch done most of your preparation for the upcoming day in advance. Your dinner table preparation should be done directly after breakfast so as not to rush just before the meal.All Day Christmas Celebration
These start with breakfast and work in to the late hours of the evening. The key is to be well organised. Prepare some of the food yourself and buy some of the food already prepared. Try and do the first few hours of food the night before, keeping in mind that it will have to be served in the morning hours and some aromas and tastes may be too strong for that time of the day.Other Considerations
There is a variety of Christmas drinks and they are most served in punch bowls or jugs. Those drinks that should be kept warm can be separated into smaller serving portions and served throughout the day. If you don't want to keep running to the kitchen to warm up the drinks, you can put the remaining warm portions in thermos jugs or flasks and just pour as needed in the serving containers.