Holiday Buffet Table

socalgirl_2008

15 years ago

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading the forums for a while and find all of you to be so creative. I'm having a large Christmas party (possibly up to 150 people) mid-December. My husband is active duty military and I've found people just kind of in a holiday "funk" this year. So, I've decided my theme will be "retro Christmas" and by that I mean 50-60's retro. I've ordered invites with Christmas ornaments on them and I will glitter them so they look like "Shiny Brights" I'll put up a family tree in the FR and a "Radko" tree in the LR. and just go all out in general. But, here is my problem.. I'm stumped for a center piece for the Buffet table. I've thought nutcrackers, angels, Santa, gingerbread houses, snowmen, but I just can't "capture" the feeling.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Comments (12)

Sandi_W
15 years ago
socal, I'm the last person who should be giving advice on centerpieces and I'm sure others will jump in here to help. How about stacking plates? And if you have room for decos scattered around the buffet you could use more of whatever your theme is for the stacking plates. Look at Karen's (purplemoon) inspiration album or just do a search of this site for pics of stacking plates at Christmas time.
socalgirl_2008
Original Author
15 years ago
How do I find Karen's album?
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Holiday Eating Tips - For The Sane I hate aspects of this time of year. Not for its crass commercialism and forced frivolity, but because it's the season when the food police come out with their wagging fingers and annual tips on how to get through the holidays without gaining 10 pounds. 1. About those carrot sticks. Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls. 2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnogaholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas! 3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat. 4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission. 5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello? Remember college? 6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog. 7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can't leave them behind. You're not going to see them again. 8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day? 9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, after all, have some standards. 10. And one final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips. Start over. But hurry! Cookieless January is just around the corner.
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F2BH, thanks, I'm going to try to use these same dishes for New Years ts. I'll share if I do. I will be sharing my snowies next when I get pictures taken. Thanks Jane, it was so fun having extras this year. Sometimes it works better when it's the last minute you find out there will be more. No time to panic that there might be a spot you forgot to clean.LOL I only worked a few hours yesterday and today so that was nice. I got all the Christmas down and most put away. Thanks Nana, hopefully I'll get the NY eve table set with these dishes and share. Right now my feet all killing me from getting up and down on the ladder. I got my china cabinet redecorated with snowies so that's nice to have out of the way. I even put lights with it. Poor little TJ is still in her Christmas dress so I'll try to change her out tomorrow. Thanks again for the sweet comments ladies. Punk
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I agree with debrak...on not getting hung up on the date. Your kids are young and if it works to celebrate on another date then do it. I realize that its likely your kitchen will not be finished during the Christmas season but when you see your parents in January - CELEBRATE! Have the Christmas feast. Maybe leave a few decorations out. My dh works all different times, shifts, holidays, last minute. He literally was given his work schedule yesterday for the 2 weeks starting THIS SUNDAY through the holidays! Talk about throwing any plans out the window, I actually just don't bother to try to make any. I'd love to say I've gotten used to it after 14 years and that it doesn't get under my skin but I'd be a big fat liar. Some years are better than others and I do not take it out on my dh but I do need to vent here and there. It was very hard when the kids were young and I had this vision of what I thought Christmas morning would be like - vision not reality. Sometimes I think our expectations set us up for failure. When the kids were younger we celebrated whenever my husband wasn't working. Santa came any day that worked for us during Christmas break and it was usually NEVER on the 25th. They are older now so they'd realize the date but then the 'gig' is up anyhow. So I guess my point is - after all of this schedule business and the added stress it causes I have come to cherish the simple togetherness with my immediate family and do not get hung up on the days or what we couldn't do or had to miss. We fit in everything else with extended family when we can. Sometimes it is January. It's just the way it is. That way we space out the big meals and food coma's so I guess that would be a perk! Sending you best wishes for a memorable holiday with your family and with your parents.
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Love this one. Thanks for sharing.
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oldalgebra
15 years ago
Here are two HGTV Design on a Dime segments.
I'll post one here and one in the next post.
I can't say that I see a centerpiece in either, but maybe it will spark an idea or two.
I think the colors (notice the red and lime-y green instead of the true green-green) and the metal trees are what give me that 50s-60s feeling the most. Also, there seems to be a bit of an austereness (is that a word?) about the whole thing. It's not very soft. You may not want that feeling for a Christmas party, but it does seem to be part of mid-century design.
Oooo. I don't really know what I'm saying.
The light boxes in this first link were awesome when I saw them on TV and I've always thought I'd make some for New Year's Eve if I ever gave a NYE party again.

Here is a link that might be useful: Retro Holiday Style
oldalgebra
15 years ago
Here's the second link. Notice the off-beat colors again.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rat Pack Christmas
oldalgebra
15 years ago
Use this link. Click on Christmas on the left of the page. Bookmark this page. You'll use it a lot!

Here is a link that might be useful: Inspiration Album
lynninnewmexico
15 years ago
If it's a Retro-Christmas themed party, how about ordering a few (copies of) toys from that era and using them as a centerpiece? Perhaps interspersed with shiny glass ornaments in colors that would coordinate. I was just looking at a catalog yesterday (can't find it at the moment), but seeing pics of the Slinky Dog, Lincon Logs, Chatty Cathy doll, and so many more (there were lots of them and the prices were reasonable), brought back many happy Christmas memories.
I think they'd be a great conversation starter at a huge party like that, as they do bring back good memories for people.
Lynn
lynninnewmexico
15 years ago
Lincoln Logs!
oldalgebra
15 years ago
How about Retro Christmas Movie posters in 8 by 11 size backed in cardboard, running down the length of the table? You could probably run them off yourself if you have access to a colored printer. Arrange them at different heights, add candles, and scatter some Shiny Brites among them.
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socalgirl_2008
Original Author
15 years ago
Oh my gosh... I think I have found my decorating sisters. The photos are truly inspirational. I know that no one here will ever say to me "Who really notices decorations anyway, I'm to busy talking to people" I look forward to "visiting" with all of you in the future.
luvstocraft
15 years ago
When I think of that time period, I always think of the aluminum tree with the rotating light that made it change colors. Loved those trees!

You know you need to serve at least one Jello mold too--those were so popular back then. ;o)

Good luck with your party, I'm sure you will bring some cheer to all your friends. And please extend my heartfelt thanks to your DH for his service to his country and all of us. God bless you both.

Luvs
oldalgebra
15 years ago
Luvs, that's a kick. I still serve a "Christmas Jello Salad" that my mom made every Christmas.
socalgirl_2008
Original Author
15 years ago
I'm really giving a lot of thought to the stacked plate idea.
I have a paper mache Santa dated 1942 that I could use as a topper or I also have the tree finial. I'm going to look back through the posts on where to but and how to secure together.
Again a big thanks to everyone. I'll post pics when I complete the table.

Holiday Buffet Table

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Sandi_W

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Holiday Buffet Table

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