So last year we hosted family Christmas and we had including our household a total of 16 people to feed, it went pretty well, we did a turkey and a ham and family helped bring sides. This year since our family enjoyed it so much we decided to do it again but we have an additional 13 family members that can come and want to come this year so now it is for 29 people. Good news is we moved to a bigger home then last year but still only 2400 sf. we will have aproximately 16 members sleeping over during the weekend also! I have a little more angst this year I am not sure if it is the extra people to feed or the extra amount of children the majority of new family memebers coming are children 10 and under! Yikes!! All boys and I fear my house getting terrorized :(. Don't get me wrong I love my family and my husband is excited to have them over but I know my little cousins and now I live in fear!! Please tell me it will be o.k....lol On that note would 30lbs of meat be enough to feed, two 10lb turkeys, and a 11 lb ham??? LOL we did a turkey and a ham last year and we had plenty of left overs! Hmm
I believe the "rule" for meat is one pound, per person, so if most of them are kids, you will have plenty of food! Good luck and have fun!
16 people staying over. Oh my!!
Food wise that sounds fine. It will be fine.
Also add to the check list:
- folding chairs,
- nice disposable plates
http://www.amazon.com/Masterpiece-cant-believe-plastic-Pl...
- disposable cups
- disposable cutlery
http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Heavyweight-Silver-Disp...
- lots of juice boxes!
- paper towels
- carpet cleaner :)
- toilet paper
- a couple travel tubes of toothpaste
- a few cheap toothbrushes ($ store!)
- a few small bottles of shampoo
- a few travel size bars of soap
- some inexpensive spare towels
- case of disposible pillows!
http://www.amazon.com/Medline-Disposable-Pillows-Model-PM...
Plan activities - cookie decorating; Wii contest, decorations contest
Think of it as one big campout!
First, put a lot of stuff away.... when family comes over to visit, it is with about 4 dogs and 6 little boys under the age of 8, so yes, things gets broken and such. So to make it easier, put away lots of toys, fancy pillows, things sitting around on end tables and that sort of thing.
Also, go disposable. That's what we do! Paper, cups (everyone writes their name on it with a permanent marker), forks and such. Makes it a million times easier.
I think your amount of food sounds like plenty, especially since a lot of the guests are kids.
Have lots of little activities, go to a craft store and get the foam decorating sticker kits, leggos, Christmas movies... assign some people as babysitters and others as cookers, and they can trade off.
The meat sounds like plenty. You had 20 lbs. last year for 16 and lots of leftovers.....you're adding 10 lb. and 13 people.
Do you have a downstairs or a family room that you can turn into the "boy den" for sleeping? LOL
Have fun!
Put away anything breakable, teach your children what is off-limits when family is over, and be very clear to your little cousins about what is and isn't okay in your house.
If possible, set up some activities or something active to keep the young ones entertained and out of the way. Video games, outdoor toys, etc. As much as possible keep the kids outside! Just keep sending them back out when they come in! (I live in a warm state - in a colder state that might be considered neglect... =D)
If outside isn't really possible, I would practically clear out a room for them to be (almost) as rambunctious as they want without fear of them damaging something or hurting themselves.
wow. well take a deep breath. take advantage of all that extra manpower and delegate jobs to every able body. I think you have plenty of food for dinner.
Now it's time to decide what to make for breakfast for that whole army. Pancakes, eggs, and cereal are the cheapest things I know of. Maybe you could set up a pancake station - hot griddle, and batter and let each mom make thier own kids pancakes.
Yes 30lbs of meat will be more than enough. That's 1lb per person. How many meals do you sit down and eat a whole pound of meat?! A generous serving size portion would be at most 1/2lb per person. Of course there is some bone weight to consider in the turkeys but I still think you will have plenty with what you've got. Plus sounds like a good portion of your guests are kids and they won't eat a 1/2lb of meat at one meal.
I do agree about the kids, sendng them outside to play. Otherwise set them up with board games or bingo, video games, or something like that. Sounds like tons of fun. Do not fear! All will go well, just remember to relax and enjoy your time with your family!
OMG that is alot of people. That sounds like soooooo much fun - I mean that! I think if you estimate 1.5-2lbs of meat per person then everyone should have plenty to eat.
You'll be fine! Just lock up your valuables, hide the pets, turn on Christmas music, and send the kids outside to make snowforts.
Don't forget to allot at least half the day to gather everyone round for that proverbial group picture.
