Christmas Eve Buffet

It is a family tradition for my husbands family to gather together on Christmas Eve. His mother started it before we were married. The first year we dated I didn't realize he gave up the time to be with his family to come to my home and have Christmas Eve with a house full of my mom, sibilings and cousins at our own buffet.

My sister in law carries on the tradition today. She puts out a wonderful meal with the help of her husband, adult children and the youngest brother of the family. There is a variety of things which gives a yummy meal for everyone who drops in anytime during the evening. The meal is attractive yet informal.

A buffet is a lot easier to host especially during the holidays. Some items can be prepared a day ahead. If you have a supply of nice disposable plates labor will be cut down for a hostess to be able to enjoy her evening with guests and family. When a family gets together you can ask them to bring in desserts or chips, salsa and dip for a buffet addition. During these uncertain financial times a large family can still have a festive holiday meal if they all pitch in together and assign portions of the dishes and supplies to members to bring along.

Vegetables If you were to join us on Christmas Eve you will find at least one large tray of colorful vegetables with bowls of dip. You can munch on celery, cucumbers, carrot sticks, broccoli and cauliflower florets with at least two kinds of creamy dips. Cherry tomatoes colorfully fill out the tray. There will also be pickles and olives. There always has to be a tray of celery sticks that are stuffed with cream cheese and oilves, a favorite of the Faloon family. Deviled eggs are another meal addition that may be found in the spread.

Meat There will be a platter of rolled up slices of ham, turkey, roast beef (which is my favorite) and a pot of cocktail weiners in barbecue sauce. Sometimes there is a pot of Swedish meatballs and a platter of large shrimp with cocktail sauce.

Sides and extras You can round out your meal with dinner rolls and individual breads and cheeses in cubes or slices. Guests can make sandwiches or eat the single meats and breads. There may be stuffed finger rolls which was a specialty of my husbands mother. These are filled with tuna, ham or egg salad and cream cheese with olive.

The Sweets Here are the things we pull out for Christmas, peanut butter and chocolate fudge, frosted sugar cookies and ice cream puffs. This is a nice area for others in the family to bring in a special dessert or treat.

Punch The family usually has a nice fruit punch that is appropriate for young and not so young. One yummy recipe adds in a quart of cranberry juice into the ruby red fruit punch. Freeze a portion of punch ahead for a decorative ice piece in the center of the bowl. This also keeps the drink from being watered down with plain ice. Lay in slices of oranges topped with marachino cherries 'pretty up' the top of the punch.

A buffet for Christmas Eve can be made up of family favorites. It can be a pot luck spread or a more fancy catered meal. It cuts back on expense when it is a do it yourself affair. The bonus is that there are usually portions left that can be snacked on during Christmas day which is a big help when Mom may be preparing a large Christmas dinner. You just can't go wrong with a Christmas Eve buffet meal. No matter what your tradition is for Christmas Eve I wish you a happy evening with those you cherish.