So after spending the last few Christmases driving around with small children, we thought wouldn't it be lovely to have Christmas at home and not travel?  So that's what we suggested.  We thought we'd have Christmas Eve with Dh's family and Boxing Day with mine and Christmas at home.   But plans change and everyone thought this was a lovely idea, so now they are all coming to us!

As we are struggling as it is I thought how on earth can we afford this?  So I asked around for some tips and this what I have gathered together:

I have asked people to bring salads, drinks and fruit (as they can travel and take little preparation) - thus spreading the load over everyone.  I plan on making about 5 salads and placing them at the start of the buffet, along with the bread rolls.  (Thus people fill their plate with salad and bread before they get to the meat).

I have been buying sandwich meats on special and freezing them - this week I even managed to pick up some marinated seafood that was in the clearance section but has a use by date after Christmas.  Then I shall make up a platter of cold meats, along with a selection of dips, olives, asparagus etc.... (our local grocer grows his own and it is very cheap).

Next I have a frozen chicken which I shall roast the day before and  a selection of pieces of chicken which can be bought anytime and frozen (much cheaper than turkey and buying small portions is also cheaper).  We will also do a BBQ - with mixed sausages and meat, all bought on special and frozen in the meantime.

My only decadence is the possibility of buying a small ham or buying some of our butcher's home made specialty sausages (if we can afford it). 

For dessert we have Christmas cake and pudding (bought earlier this year cheaply) and I will make an ice cream pudding.  I shall also make sure we have iceblocks in the freezer for all the kids.

Nothing in my plan is really expensive and spreading it out and freezing makes a lot of difference.  Plus how you lay it out helps too as the meat is the expensive part.  I have not hesitated in asking people to bring something - and no one minds me asking.

Okay so it won't look like something out of a magazine and isn't going to be your traditional Christmas feast, but it won't bankrupt us, it will feed 20 people and hopefully I won't be in the kitchen all day and can relax and enjoy the day.

Does anyone else have any plans they could share? Or tips to help us all spend less and enjoy the day more?