I'm hosting Christmas. Was 35 until yesterday. Now it's up to 37. I have not even given thought to the menu nor finished shopping. What is the rush?

Personally, I think if it is very early January, why not?

I would say early January would be okay. Other than that I would take them down as usual. The people are primarily there for the company not the holiday decorations. I guess the message is to decorate for yourself, first, and if others are around to see it, fine. We still decorate my parents' house because my father likes it, but no one sees it anymore but him, --and we see it if we go there. At almost 89, whatever "entertaining" he does is inviting someone to join him at a restaurant. So, I don't think it becomes unnecessary to put up Holiday decorations if only close family see them.

My experience is that for a number of years people have said "It's so busy this time of year. Why don't we get together in January." The result being that few people have gatherings in December and we end up being overbooked in January. We used to go to several December Christmas parties each year but now there are next to none being thrown. I don't get it.

Decorations in the early part of January are fine.

Invite early ( mail day after TG) and choose an early Sunday dinner or cocktails , or brunch. I decorate for me and my family, but do enjoy sharing my efforts . The usual two week notice doesn't work during the holidays, so i usually plan fairly far ahead and send out save the date emails.

DHs family here on Christmas Eve and mine on the 29th. I'm in survival mode.

If I were you I would leave up your decorations. Let your family enjoy them. In my DHs family, they didn't take the tree down until Jan 7th when he was growing up. I'm lucky if I get mine down by then, lol.

I wouldn't leave them up past the first week or so of January but you could. Mine normally come down New Years day because I'm tired of the extra stuff being out.

I'll admit, I belive it was last year, I realized nobody was going to be really seeing our decorations and that slightly bummed me out. I put a lot of time and effort into decorating for Christmas and I do decorate for us, but I don't like doing it half arse. It takes me a hours just to do the big tree. I enjoy the decorating but I think other people also seeing it makes me feel like the time spent was more worth it.

Off topic - Annie I don't post much on the other side anymore but I wanted to say the photos I've seen of your house are beautiful.

This post was edited by sheesharee on Thu, Dec 13, 12 at 23:10

Annie, for what it's worth, I've really enjoyed seeing the photos of your decorations on the "other side". They are absolutely beautiful! (There are many lurkers over there :-)).

Thank you marlene and sheesharee, for the kind words, much appreciated.

I guess part of the issue is that we have no family any more...no children, all of our parents are dead, and my brother and his wife, our only siblings, are also dead. So if friends don't come over, then no one sees the decor at all, except the cat. And as far as he's concerned, if it doesn't include catnip, it's not interesting.

Yes perhaps I need to invite sooner, decorate later, and leave it up a little later.

Thanks, all for your input

I would love to host an "open house" but by the time I am actually able to do it after finals are over, most people have left town. My colleague had an open house last week, but there is no way I would even attempt it during finals time because of the time required for cleaning, decorating, etc.

Even when I was single and would leave town to visit my mother, I still put up a small artificial tree and decorations for me.

We travel out-of-state for the holidays so I've always had a party or two with my local friends in the early part of December. Really, I could take down my decorations before we leave except I usually don't have time. Maybe next year, you could plan your gatherings with friends early and get the dates on their calendars. I usually decorate before Thanksgiving just so I have a chance to enjoy my efforts.

I guess I'm the odd man out here. Our Christmas decorations are for us. It's something we really enjoy. We have had a small christmas tree in our bedroom for many years and I love having that tree lit up each night. Of course it is nice for others to see and enjoy your decorations, but try thinking of it as something for you all. Your decorations are beautiful!

We are hosting Christmas this year, so my side of the family will see the decs, but even if we weren't hosting, I'd do the same decorating.

I'm one who decorates early, so I like stuff down early. Ours are usually all up and away before New Years.

tina

If it were me, I would put up only the decorations that made DH and myself happy. As far as leaving them up after the holidays, my vote is not to. By then everyone is ready for a fresh, clean, non-holiday look. Your home is beautiful as it is. I imagine your after-holiday guests will enjoy it without any tired, up-too-long decorations. cluttering up the place.
Lynn

Our last holiday party is usually on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6. People often like to get together after the holidays, so why don't you try a chili supper or something for Epiphany? The cake with a vanilla bean or silver charm baked in it is traditional... the person who gets it in his or her cake is the king or queen. When our kids were small we had a big Epiphany celebration for all their friends and two cakes---one for boys and one for girls, dress up crowns for them to wear, etc. For an all adult party we just do one bean and one unisex type gift for whoever gets it.

Annie, I'm with you. Although I decorate for myself and family, I realized that my husband wanted others to see the tree. So, I started a tradition with his sister to come up for dinner and see our tree. She likes to take a picture of herself and boyfriend in front of it.
Your decorations and house are lovely and you should be able to show it off. I think next year plan ahead and maybe create a tradition with your close frineds of a Sunday Brunch or maybe a cocktail party with your neighbors.
I am finding too that we are deciding to have get togethers after the holidays.
Maybe as we get older, we don't feel that you "can't have or go to too many parties." I had three events this week and two next week. I not looking to add more.

Annie: We are in the very same kind of circumstances -- and our decorations are really just fun for ourselves ....

Anyway -- I do agree that Holiday parties (at any time of the year) need to be scheduled and invites sent out very early in the season. (... and don't get me started on the hassle of getting folks to respond or rsvp! LOL!)

And yes -- perhaps planning a slightly different type of party -- maybe a cookie party? or a brunch? or a luncheon? or afternoon tea? or a holiday movie/snacks party -- might be well recieved too ....

As for leaving up the decorations -- your home is SO gorgeous at any time of the year!! :) So any way you choose to decorate (Holiday or perhaps something different ....) would be great! :)

Annie - I have similar situation where many of our family have passed so not much going on at our house at Christmas. I used to do more non-family holiday entertaining but eventually things got as you describe- everyone too busy. Finally one year I was lamenting all the work decorating and undecorating and no one seems to care about it but me. So I decided to cut way back and just do what I felt like doing for MY enjoyment. I no longer put up a tree and don't miss it at all. I spend a couple hours decorating, the place looks festive and DH and I are happy.

Thank you all for your thoughts and your kind words. I have managed to plan a couple of things between xmas and new years, and I will have co. for dinner before the epiphany, so I'll leave the decor up for that....

Maybe what I need to do next year is reverse the whole bloody thing and do an xmas in July celebration! But somehow I struggle with hot cider and shorts!

Well, traditionally it was believed to be bad luck to take down the decorations before Twelfth Night, so you're just being traditional. :)

Enjoy your decor. Perhaps change to New Years white? Or a winter look.

My family became separated by raising kids, working, living in other states, etc. It is part of growing up. I decided to not intrude on their schedules, having to go to two dinners in one day, who to see, etc. What does bug me is never being asked what my plans may be, would like to do or if I am even considering such. But am glad they have wonderful places to go and can enjoy the holidays without another pushing the schedule.

I really don't want to celebrate holidays a week before or after. It takes away from the true meaning, a decision which is my personal responsibility to deal with. My daughter and I still have a tradition before Christmas though, cooking tons of candy and acting goofy throughout the day. Our special day and one to celebrate.

Thanks writersblock. If I had my way, I'd celebrate on January 12th as that's the last day the sun rises the latest in the year...then it finally starts rising earlier after that.

Thanks, technicolor. I too celebrate any day that I have friends and family over as a holiday...sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. You're so fortunate to have that special day with your daughter.

Well, I just found out that I'm going from no one for dinner on xmas to 12 people! It'll mean a bit of work, but I'm delighted!

So I guess I need to change the title of this thread from

Holiday entertaining? Yeah, right

to

Holiday entertaining! Yay! Right on!

;)

Good for you! Any one of us here would be delighted to be a guest in your home. Enjoy!

You have to share the details of how this happened and of course how everything went:)

Sounds great!!

Annie...you have a wonderful attitude. I need to have an attitude a little more like you do instead of allowing myself to get so stressed out.

Have fun!

Everyone is gone, dishes are in the DW, DH has gone to bed and Xmas was wonderful. The fresh ham was really good and the gravy made of concentrated apple cider was delish. In fact, everything came out really tasty. I was delighted. Only thing is the cider and the onions the roast was cooked on came out burned to a crisp and unservable rather than a side dish as was supposed to be. Oh well. We had a total of 10 for dinner, everyone had a great time and our house and decor worked out really well. It was wonderful to see everyone again, and my cousin is talking about having us up for Easter....it would be great.

Good news, some GFs are coming tomorrow night for dessert and conversation. The bad news is, one of them is tetched...now she's gone vegan in addition to being gluten free....can't eat chocolate, can't eat peanut butter...so I asked her if she can do water! If all else fails, I'll give her a carrot to gnaw on....Actually I'm thinking about broiled pineapple and she can skip the ice cream if she wants...the rest of us can have it....

I'm also having co. again on Friday night....I have so much food leftover...maybe I can come up with a casserole made with fresh ham, sour cream and egg noodles...????

I will tell you what will taste like a million bucks . I have done it a lot of times with just the same leftovers. I had homemade noodles but this will work with store bought wide egg noodles.

Make the white sauce from the spinach lasagna recipe that I posted. Add the sour cream too. Most recipes tell you to use canned soup but if you will make the real white cheesy sauce it will elevated to dining instead of just a casserole. The ham can be tossed with the sauce and noodles. The best finishing touch is to take the panko crumbs and toss them with melted butter and grated parmesan. Put a nice thick coating on top of your casserole and bake till golden and bubbling. If you need to you can run it under the broiler for a minute.

I know everyone will be impressed and no one will guess it is leftovers !! Glad you had a wonderful time !! c

Sounds yummy! Thanks TR!

Annie, glad things turned out well! Both my daughters have been on gluten free diets. Our local supermarket has a whole section for gluten free products. Pick up cookies there, there are even some homemade ones.
OT Trailrunners, where did you post your spinach lasagna recipe? I am always looking for vegetarian options and a white sause rather than tomato would be a nice change.

Annie, I don't know where you live, but here we have a pretty good selection of "ice cream" made from coconut milk called Coconut Bliss. I've served it for vegans and non vegans and it's quite good. I think they use agave instead of sugar or honey (most/many vegans won't eat either). Would be delish with broiled pineapple - like the Naked Coconut flavor or Pineapple Coconut. Check in your freezer section - if you have Whole Foods, I'm sure they'd have it or maybe a health food store or food coop.

(edited to add link)

Here is a link that might be useful: coconut bliss

This post was edited by olychick on Wed, Dec 26, 12 at 1:07

Ellendi, I appreciate the suggestion. If it was just gluten free, there'd be no problem. I have a friend who has celiac and have prepared gluten free meals for her. I served them parfait with vanilla and chocolate pudding layered with crushed chocolate GF cookies and it came out good. But vegan too makes it really tough.

Thanks olychick, but Coconut Bliss contains gum and she claims she's allergic to gum too.

I'm beginning to think she has orthoexia nervosa.

I came across grunt as a leftover idea....sounds better than it's name....

Here is a link that might be useful: grunt

ellen it was in the other what are you baking thread..here you go!!

funky ...here is the recipe. It is from a blog Chef in You but I changed some things . It is the best white sauce I have ever tasted. If you make it in a 13x9 pan you will have to double or triple the sauce, likewise if you use store bought lasagna noodles you will need to thin the sauce a bit and use more. They soak it up more than the homemade. It is worth it to use homemade since they can be rolled very thin and then use a lot of layers...very delicate.

Ingredients
For the Bechamel (White) Sauce
2 tbsp Butter
1/2 cup finely chopped Onion
1-2 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp All Purpose Flour
1-3/4 - 2 c cup whole Milk
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Salt ( to taste)
1 Bay leaf
Ground Pepper to taste
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
melt butter and saute garlic and onion. Add the flour and let it cook so no raw taste to sauce. Stir constantly. Add milk and stir as you add. Add salt/pepper and bay leaf. When slightly thickened add grated parmesan and stir well. Set aside. If you are using store bought pasta sheets you will want the sauce to be doubled and somewhat thinner as the store bought sheets are a lot heavier. Add the cooked /drained spinach from below to the white sauce. Stir well .

For the Pasta and Layering
15 homemade thin Lasagna Sheets cut to fit 8x8 pan( I used 3 homemade per layer and did 5 layers)
5 oz Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese and dash of salt-beat till smooth and set aside
4 oz fresh Mozzarella Cheese, crumbled and set aside
1 c parmesan grated and set aside

For the Spinach :
12 oz bag frozen spinach cooked and drained well ( press with a spoon in sieve)
1/2 tbsp Salt
Simmer frozen spinach till done and drain well. You can save some of the liquid and add back to white sauce if it is too thick.

For the mushrooms:

1/2 c finely chopped onions
5 oz sliced baby bellas...can use button mushrooms
saute onion and mushrooms in butter till tender. Set aside.

Now to layer : put very thin layer of sauce in bottom of greased 8x8 pan. Lay 3 sheets of lasagna on top. Spread very small amount of sauce over noodles and then sprinkle with small amount grated parmesan. 3 more noodles and some sauce and all of ricotta spread thinly. 3 more noodles and sauce and 1/2 of mozzarella. 3 more noodles and sauce and parmesan. Last noodles , last of sauce, last of mozzarella and last of parmesan. You can see these are all very thin layers. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350 for 45 min. Remove foil and let it brown on top for about 15 min. Should be bubbling. If edges of pasta brown it is OK. Homemade ones taste great when they brown and are not tough llike the store bought ones. Enjoy !!! Makes 9 squares.

Sounds wonderful!

Thanks Trail!