My Christmas Buffet Plan

At Christmas, I plan for an informal buffet.

Informal, because in a thousand square foot house, that’s the only type I can plan for with a possible guest list of 50 attending…most of whom don’t rsvp.  But then again this meal is for family and any friends that they want to bring.  I do a 3-zone setup: main meal, desserts, and beverages hot/cold.  Three tables with seating are set up, two in library, and one in living room.  All other room seating has side tables placed between two seats.  Coasters are placed where necessary for furniture protection.  Place mats, tablecloths, chargers placed where needed.

Main Menu is pretty much set by now.

Meatloaf

Green beans and corn

Sweet peas and carrots

Yams

Lima beans

Cream potatoes

Pound cake

Ice cream

Fudge

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade, water

Additional side dishes and desserts as volunteered by guests, varies

      Slaw, deviled eggs, potato salad, banana pudding, cobbler, cookies, 

      chicken & noodles, ham, etc.

Due to the variety of soft drinks available,

      our events are a “bring your own beverage”

      if you want something different

Informal Buffet Planning

When planning for a home party, the hosting party planner must plan well.  Decide what type of party foods will be served.  Finger foods, bbq, sandwiches, dessert, ice cream, family/friends pot luck, soup, buffet, adult, child friendly, etc.

□ Select a time, date, place

□ Determine Guests/Number invited

□ Invitations, phone, email

□ Determine Menu type

□ Work in contributions or requests

    □ Consider special diets or needs

    □ Remember contrasts in color and texture

    □ Safe serve foods [under 41◦F, over 141◦F]

□ Tables/Seating

□ Seating/Side tables

□ Main menu plates/bowls

□ Dessert plates/bowls

□ Cups & Coasters

□ Glasses & Coasters

□ Utensils

□ Buffet table arrangements/decorations

□ Coasters/table cloths/placemats

□ Determine traffic flow for buffet

□ Serving Dishes and Utensils

□ Coordinator

□ Setup helpers

□ Cleanup helpers

□ Buffet Layout

    

    □ Main food table layout

      □ Plates

      □ Food Zones

         □ Cold foods

         □ Room temp foods

         □ Hot Foods

      □ Napkins

      □ Utensils

    □ Dessert Table

       □ Bowls/plates

       □ Cold desserts

       □ Hot desserts

       □ Room temp desserts

       □ Napkins

       □ Utensils

    □ BeverageTable

       □ Cold Beverages

         □ Glasses

         □ Ice

         □ Scoop

         □ Ice chest

         □ Tea

           □ Sweet

           □ Unsweetened

         □ Lemonade

         □ Water

         □ Bring Your Own Beverage Space

       □ Hot Beverages

         □ Cups

         □ Stir sticks/spoons

       □ Types of hot beverage

          □ Coffees

          □ Teas

          □ Chocolate

          □ Ciders

          □ Others

       □ Toppings, additives

          □ Creamer

          □ Sugar

          □ Substitute sugar

          □ Substitute creamer

          □ Marshmallows

          □ Grated chocolate

          □ Chocolate curls

          □ Cinnamon

       □ Napkins

Extras available for use during and after party

          □ Roll of paper towels in each room

          □ Trash can liners

          □ Freezer containers

          □ Plastic wrap

          □ Take home containers

          □ Extra toilet paper and paper towels in bathroom

          □ Pump hand soaps

          □ Sanitizer at sinks

          □ Backup cups, plates, bowls, utensils, etc