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Do you prepare Christmas dinner for everyone? If you are in charge of the gathering for Christmas dinner, you will want to organize a few fun games and activities besides the meal. After all, everyone will be sniffing around the kitchen looking for food if you don’t keep them entertained. Here are a few fun-loving ways to divert the crowd until the Christmas dinner is done.

Guess The Christmas Dinner

Chrismas

Here’s a simple game all your guests will love. Have everyone who did not work in the kitchen guess the Christmas dinner based on a smell test. By sniffing aromas in the air, players have to figure out the Christmas menu. Although it may be easy to guess whether you’re cooking roast beef or turkey, it’s harder to figure out what type of potatoes are being prepared. Are they baked potatoes or mashed with gravy? Do you smell squash or broccoli with cheese or both? The person who most closely guesses the foods being served for Christmas dinner is rewarded with a taste.

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Get Board On Christmas

To avoid getting board, get board on Christmas – that is, get out your old board games. Find the most childlike board games you own and tote them out for Christmas fun. Have the grown men sit on the floor to play the games. Take a photo of the guys while they cluster around playing a round of Chutes and Ladders on the floor. An even better idea is to give the guys a princess dress-up game so you can laugh at the fathers and grandfathers wearing frills and tiaras. If you play princess games, make sure the camera is handy to capture those funny moments forever. You can even get the kids involved by having them play cards or Monopoly against the men.

Christmas Tablecloth Decorating

When the kids start to clamor around the table for asking food, divert their attention by having them decorate the tablecloth with Christmas designs. Leave your Aunt Harriet’s fine linens in the china closet and use a cheap, disposable tablecloth instead. You can even keep this doodling tablecloth every year to see the progression of the children’s artwork. Have the kids use permanent markers and date and sign their creations so you have the information in years to come.

Toss The Santa Hat

Take the party outside for awhile to play a exhilarating game of toss the Santa hat. Fill a Santa hat with candy and try to throw it around without the candy falling out. Another idea is a Santa hat relay. Everyone wears the Santa hat and hands it to the next player, who must put on the hat and do the same. If everyone enjoys throwing games, you can take it to the next level. Play football with a goal line made from old Christmas ribbon. Start a soccer game with a rolled up ball of discarded Christmas wrapping paper.

The Worst Christmas Presents

Discuss the best and worst presents you ever received for Christmas. Tell stories describing the coolest and most awful gifts you got. Just remember not to tell a story about the worst present in front of the person who gave it to you! Hold dessert hostage until everyone shares a story about their best or worst Christmas present.

Where Is Santa Now?

While you eat Christmas dinner, include a delightful activity to amuse the children. Play where is Santa now by using a Santa hat – after all, Santa must be back at the North Pole by now! Have someone pass the Santa hat to another person under the table while everyone tries to decide where it is. Whoever holds the Santa hat winks at someone else at the table. When a person gets winked at, they say “Santa go away!” and the hat is passed. The hat passing and winking goes on until someone guesses where Santa is.

Great Christmas Games You Can Play at the Dinner Table to Keep the Fun Flowing

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Think Christmas Dinner and the first image that comes to mind is a table groaning under the weight of a spread fit for kings – roast turkey, mashed or roast potatoes, cranberry sauce, steamed veggies and other trimmings, all characteristic of a typical Christmas meal.

Well, ancient customs and native traditions have combined to influence what lands up on the table on Christmas Day for families in different countries around the world. Let’s embark on a culinary journey around the globe and see what people gorge on for their Christmas Dinner!

Traditionally, Christmas Dinner is the primary meal that is eaten either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

UK and Ireland

Interestingly, the Britons did not eat roast turkey as the traditional Christmas meal till about 1650. In Medieval England, the main fare was always roast goose, peacock or boar, with the last being more popular. It was only when the French Jesuits imported turkey into Great Britain from Europe that it began to grace Christmas dinner tables from the 1700s onwards. Today, of course, it is unthinkable to image Christmas dinner without roast turkey and all the other trimmings. A typical Christmas spread (mostly in the afternoons) consists of roast turkey, served with cranberry sauce, bread sauce, roast potatoes, steamed Brussels sprouts and carrots, with the Christmas pudding bringing up the grand finale. Mince pies are equally a must-have accompaniment to the Christmas meal.

Australia

Since Christmas falls during the summer season in the Southern hemisphere, meats like chicken, ham and turkey are more popularly served cold as the traditional Christmas dinner. Seafood is another popular option, specially barbecued shrimps and prawns. Dessert could be a baked meringue topped by the fruit in the season – mangoes or cherries.

Austria

Christmas Eve in Austria brings to an end the pre-Christmas fasting. Christmas is a national holiday in the country and Austrians normally spend the day feasting and enjoying with their family members. Typical dishes for the traditional Christmas dinner include fried carp, roast goose and ham served with mulled wine and fruit punch. The meal is usually rounded off with rich chocolate mousse.

Brazil

Christmas is celebrated with all the fervour of a carnival in this South American country! The Christmas meal is nothing short of a feast and is served on Christmas Eve (24 December). Roast turkey, fresh vegetables like kale, seasonal fruits and Brazil nuts form a prominent part of the lavish meal. Roast pork, roast chicken and fish are also consumed in many parts of Brazil. A variety of desserts such as lemon tart, chocolate cake and pies are consumed.

Czech Republic

A departure from the traditional roast turkey can be seen in the Czech Republic’s Christmas dinner that typically consists of fried carp and a potato salad. A vast quantity of Christmas cookies is baked by families, to offer friends and relatives on Christmas day.

Denmark

Christmas dinner takes place on December 24 and includes roast pork with crackling, goose or duck. There is plenty of gravy, roast potatoes and red cabbage. The sweet dish is not the traditional plum pudding but a rich rice pudding served with cherry or strawberry sauce and filled with almonds. Mulled wine flows freely.

Finland

The Christmas fare in this Nordic country is more of a ‘Christmas table’, the traditional food board served at Christmas in Finland. Occupying centrestage is the typical large Christmas ham, which is usually eaten with mustard or bread in addition to a variety of other dishes. There is also fish, casseroles with liver, potatoes, rice and carrots.

France

The French enjoy their Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve in anticipation of staying awake till midnight and beyond. Topping the list of dishes are goose or duck liver (foie gras), oysters, smoked salmon, lobster, and roasted stuffed duck, goose or turkey. A sumptuous and traditional Christmas cake called ‘La Buche de Noël or a Yule log is relished on this day. It is a rich flavoured cream cake shaped like a log. The typical drink is…you guessed it, champagne!

Germany

The traditional Christmas dinner is served either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day itself, and consists mostly of roast goose and roast carp. Roasted suckling pig or duck also finds its way on many tables. Cabbage and its varieties like kale, Brussels sprouts and red cabbage dominate the side dishes which also include roast potatoes. Christmas pastries include marzipan, spice bars, and several types of fruit breads.

Lithuania, Ukraine and Poland

These three Eastern European countries are noted for their elaborate 12-meal Christmas Eve supper. This ritualised meal consists of twelve meatless dishes in honour of the 12 apostles of Christ. The stress on vegetarian fare is because the time leading up to Christmas is observed with fasting and praying. There is no meat, eggs or milk and so the dishes are dominated by fish, mushrooms and all sorts of grains.

Philippines

Known as Noche Buena by the locals, the traditional Christmas dinner in the Philippines is very much a family affair. It is enjoyed after the entire family has attended the late evening or the Midnight Mass. Pork has a strong presence in this South East Asian country and the mainstay of the Christmas dinner is the Christmas ham. It is served with an Edam cheese ball – a popular Christmas season dish. Affluent Filipino families may also serve spit-roasted pig, stuffed chicken, spicy beef stew and other top favourite Filipino dishes. Hot chocolate is the popular beverage during Christmas in the Philippines.

Long live the cuisines of the world!

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Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video. Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from carlo_scialla and more videos in the Christmas category. You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at www.howcast.com or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at www.howcast.com These tips and tricks will help you pull together a fabulous celebration without losing your holiday spirit — or your mind! To complete this How-To you will need: Adequate seating and tableware All the family’s favorite foods Christmas ornaments or bunches of red and green grapes Candles A cleaning service (optional) Step 1: Check logistics Figure out if you have enough chairs, seating space, and tableware. Borrow from friends and neighbors to fill any holes. Or check out a thrift store; if you don’t need or want it afterward, donate it back. Tip: Throw some cushions on the floor around your coffee table and let little guests eat there. Step 2: Call your guests Call your guests so you have a handle on how many people are coming — and an excuse to fish for contributions. People often want to contribute, especially if it ensures that their holiday favorite will be on the table. Step 3: Ask for help Don’t be shy about asking for assistance before, during, and after. You’ll need all the help you can preparing the food, getting your home ready, serving, and cleaning up afterward. Tip: If your budget allows it, hire a cleaning service …

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Decorating your Christmas Table can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you want. If you are going to shop for items to use on your dinner table, be sure to set a budget. Even better, if you want to find bargains, either shop early or shop after Christmas for clearance sales.

1) To begin with, unless you have a really beautiful table top, you are going to want to find a table cloth. You can either purchase one already made to fit your table, or you can purchase fabric and make your own. It really is quite simple.

Measure the length of your table and add the amount you want for an overhang plus 1″ for seam allowance. Also measure width. Most fabrics come in widths of anywhere from 32″ to 60″.

2) The next items you will want are dinnerware, flatware (silverware), and stemware.

Dinnerware: There are tons of choices for holiday dinnerware on the market. You could choose a holiday pattern like these from Lenox:

Be careful though if you choose to use a pattern that you don’t make the table too busy or gaudy. With patterned dinnerware, you could keep the table cloth and napkins plain and keep the decorations to a minimum. You could also choose a plane pattern in a color that match your table.

Flatware or silverware: Flatware will also be an important part of your dinner table. Again, there are many choices on the market for flatware.

Napkins and Napkin Rings: There is a great website called storybookwoods that teaches you how to make napkins into recipes that your dinner guests can keep. Also BHG on You Tube has some great videos on how to fold napkins.

Search for a napkin folding guide that gives you step by step picture instructions for many different ways to fold napkins.

Stemware: Stemware comes in as many shapes and sizes as you could possibly imagine. Listed below are just a few of the thousands of choices out there.

Something that intriques me greatly is the use of recycled glass for stemware. In a world where “Going Green” is a household word, using 100% recycled glass stemware just makes sense.

Of course using what you have is always an option. Just be sure to match your table cloth, napkins and decorations to your dishes if they are patterned or a certain color. Now days it is easy to find Christmas decorations in every color.

3) Now we get down to the fun part… adding decorations… Ribbon and Bows are a beautiful way to add warmth, color and sparkle to your holiday table. Bows are easy to make once you know how.

Bows can be added to the back of each of your chairs.

If you are using folding chairs, you can also add some fabric and cushions to the chairs to add comfort and beauty. This can also be done if you are using unmatched chairs at your table.

Or you could just leave your chairs unmatched for a little country charm

Jars of all shapes and sizes are beautiful when filled with your favorite Christmas decorations in colors to match your table.

Real pine centerpieces are beautiful to use on your Christmas Dinner table.

Though the real pine centerpieces are beautiful, there are a couple of words of warning:

Be sure that your guests do not have allergies to pine as pine can have a strong scent, especially when it has become warm.
Be sure that you keep water in your centerpiece. There is floral foam in the center which absorbs water to keep each stem wet.
It is a good idea, if you purchase your real pine center pieces early in the season, that you try to keep them in a cool place, at least part of the time.
The idea is that you have a fresh, beautiful, decoration on your table the day of your dinner party.

Candles are a great way to add warmth and sparkle to you table. Place candles on mirrors for extra brilliance.

Add metallic garland around the table or use the packaged metallic icicles to create even more shimmer.

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What a great theme for a party with not a lot of expense. Don’t be deterred by the fact that Chinese New Year is not always on a weekend. I know it is hard to believe but people actually socialize Sunday through Thursday nights too. A party doesn’t have to be on a weekend. Just keep it light and inviting.

What do you need?

Friends, Food & Drink, Chinese Dishes & Chopsticks, Laterns or Luminaries, Party Favors

How to execute? (Remember our basic entertaining rule – always plan and have a list):

Guests:

Make your guest list. We recommend that you keep the gathering small. 10 close friends who aren’t intimidated by a Wed night social event work well. However, when you have a small gathering it is important that every person attend so it doesn’t look like you have no shows. Make sure you get rsvps. If your friends are reliable email users, use http://www.evite.com and select the Chinese New Year themed invitation. If not, send out paper invitations 3 weeks in advance and follow up with a phone call.

Food:

Find a local dim sum restaurant. Do not attempt this cooking yourself. If there isn’t one, use your local Chinese restaurant and order appetizers. Call ahead and ask them to fax you a menu or drop by and get one. While you are chatting, find out how far in advance they need the order and inquire about pickup vs delivery. Allow extra time if you are having it delivered.

Small Group (10-12 people): Choose 4-5 items and make sure you order enough pieces for each guest.

Large Group: Choose 6-8 items and order ½ the number of pieces as you have guests.

Order one or two sweet pastries using the same rule for number of pieces.

Beverage:

If you are concerned about it being a “school night” even though we told you to get over that, serve Chinese tea. If not, serve Chinese beer or select one Asian influenced mixed drink. This is not the occasion to stock the full bar.

Supplies and Decorations:

Take a trip to Chinatown and pick up chopsticks, dishes, cups, lanterns or luminaries and little party gifts for your guests. Don’t want to go to Chinatown, shop from the comfort of your computer (or call us of course). Pearl River Mart in NYC has everything you will need and you can shop via internet if you aren’t in NYC. HOWEVER, make a list first. It is easy to get carried away and buy things you don’t need.

Lanterns range in price from $3 each up to $20. Make sure you have a place to hang them without starting a construction project. An alternative is a string of lights that have paper lantern globes on them. Luminaries are also great. Whatever you decide, you want candle or mood lighting for your party. Be creative but use Asian influences.

Chopsticks: Again, don’t get carried away. If you are not a regular chopstick user then don’t buy $5/pair sticks. You can get them in packs of 10 for $2.50 and they come in all different colors and shapes.

Tableware: If you are picking up the dim sum or appetizers right before the party, then you can serve them on platters/dishes or if the restaurant provided nice containers serve from the containers with chopsticks although we don’t recommend this method. If you are purchasing earlier in the day, you might want to invest in one or two tiered bamboo steamers. They run about $7 each. Otherwise, get some nice Chinese/Asian serving plates (square or oval).

Then you need dishes for your guests. This is very basic. Plates, tea cups if serving tea and dishes for sauces. Pearl River Mart has several different designs that come in melamine (approx $4/person for a whole set), which looks nice, doesn’t break and is dishwasher safe. It is less expensive than buying china or ceramic. However, if you eat a lot of Chinese food in a structured setting (take out on Sat night does not count) then you might want to invest in the real thing.

Favors for your Guests:

This is Chinese New Year and not a regular dinner party so party favors are appropriate. Again, check out your local Asian stores for inexpensive trinkets. Again, it is CNY so ticky tacky gifts are OK. This is fun, not a gift to the visiting Ambassador from China. Put them in Asian style mini-gift bags or take away containers. Pearl River Mart has a whole section of CNY paraphernalia. I found a ton of Asian themed items for $1 each at Target a few months ago. You just never know where your party favors will be. Keep your eyes open.

The budget (112-195 if starting from scratch):

Decorations: $10-30

Tableware: $30-50

Beverage: $2-20

Food: $50-75

Gifts: $20

If you don’t want to spend that much on a party, here are some ways to cut the budget:

• Find a paper store that sells square small plates in paper. Select a pattern that is plain red or black or select something in an Asian style.
• Use Christmas lights instead of buying lanterns and luminaries
• Make Origami paper gifts
• Non-alcoholic beverages are always cheaper than alcohol

And now it is time to celebrate!

(This article is not intended to be a how to for an actual Chinese New Year celebration. It is just a fun party idea for those who are bored with the traditional sit down dinner or cocktail party.)

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company’s creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE Go 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

© 2004 Indra A Books, ON THE GO 4 U.

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