Appetizers Vs. Dinner

[barbszy]

This is a problem we have every holiday, whether we are hosting or visiting.

There are appetizers served before the meal. Everyone is hungry. They eat all the appetizers and then have no room for the main course. If smaller amounts of appetizers are served, or fewer choices, they all are looking for the rest of the food--because what was served so far was not enough. It's almost as if they are all on that "seefood" diet--"you see food, and you eat it." It's mindless eating, not eating to enjoy.

(Now, if my kids were picky eaters, and the appetizers were more to their liking, I might let this all ride. But they are very good eaters in general, and enjoy the holiday meal. They're just too full to eat it. And so are most of the grownups!)

Has anyone come up with a creative solution to this situation?

[ajrsmom]

How about an appetizer/buffet style meal all at the same time?

Instead of the traditional sit-down meal, serve the appetizers on the end of the buffet table. You can still have turkey with side dishes, just set it up as a buffet. You could have a dessert buffet too or still have a sit-down dessert and coffee afterwards.

[cat lover]

When ever we have had a group over we almost always serve buffet style and only have a limited amount of appetizers. We usually make the appointed buffet time only about 2 hours after the come gather time. After doing this a few times most people realize how we "worK' and eat accordingly ifthey need to before they come. If we are having a buffet at noon we have our gather time maybe 10. They all know the buffet will then be around noon with snacks before that. Seems to work for us.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I usually serve a ton of appetizers and a ton of food. If they eat too much of the appetizers and don't have room for the meal I don't worry about it. We live on leftovers for days anyway. When the appetizers are gone, they are gone.

[cau]

We have the same problem especially at Christmas since so many adult children now want come & still have home or in law time. . It is hard to have a short time between come & eat time. We always have a lot of snacks even though we have cut down. My sil and I share Christmas, one making dinner at her house & the other bringing snacks & desserts. We always say we will cut down but somehow we have to have the old favorites. O well it is only 1 day. :)