Christmas Eve Dinner Idea: Potato Bar

Christmas Eve dinner can be tricky, especially when you have guests dropping by and everyone needs to be at church services at different times.  Make the evening meal easy on yourself by fixing food ahead of time and setting up a buffet.

This is one of the times when I advocate paper plates, napkins and cups.  There are many pretty designs available and they are sturdier than in the past (insert painful memories of flimsy paper plates collapsing).

One Christmas Eve I set up a baked potato bar.  I baked the potatoes in the afternoon (wrapped in foil) and kept them hot in a warm oven.  In small bowl I had a selection of toppings such as butter, sour cream, crumbled bacon, grated cheeses, and chives.  It was easy and people enjoyed customizing their dinner.

A friend of mine talks about a party where there was a sweet potato bar.  Bake the sweet potatoes just as you would Idaho potatoes.  Some toppings would be butter, brown sugar, raisins, pecans and mini marshmallows.

In my kitchen I set up a drink bar with a variety of sodas, water and ice.  Keep a Sharpie pen nearby and write each person's name on their cup before you serve them.

Set up on a pretty decorated table.  Your guests can help themselves and you will be able to relax and enjoy yourself.  Have fun!

God bless,
Pam

P.S.  Keep potatoes warm on buffet table by placing them, still wrapped in foil, in an uncovered crock pot set on warm or low.