Do you serve from the table or buffet-style for Thanksgiving

[Anonymous]

We're hosting 16 people for Thanksgiving dinner, all DH's family. DH says his family is used to serving family-style, but he admits that his mom never hosted this many extended family. We won't even be sitting at the same table! I think we should serve buffet-style, but my MIL told me that is "tacky." (Then again, she never had to host so many people!) I'm thinking buffet makes the most sense, and oh well if some people think it is tacky. It's going to be a lot of work, and I just can't think of an easier way for everyone to get a plate of food, especially with kids and a few elderly people who need a bit of help. What would you think of buffet for a group of this size?

[Anonymous]

Of course you serve from a buffet with that many people and at different tables. I can't even imagine it another way. You're the host not your MIL.

[Anonymous]

We typically have 20-25 and do a buffet. If everyone can sit a a single table then serving family style makes sense. For items that are easy to divide like rolls and gravy we will put those items on each table.

[Anonymous]

We also do extended family Thanksgiving dinners. Very formal seating and table settings. Everyone dressed up. And we definitely do buffet style. There is no way to efficiently pass food around the table family style with that many people.

Just tell your MIL that it's not reasonably possible (or enjoyable, frankly) to do this with so many people.

[Anonymous]

Buffet. Sure, put some rolls and butter on each table to pass. But that's way too many people and tables to do family style.

[Anonymous]

I have a huge family and we do a buffet. The buffet covers the dining table so everyone eats perched on sofas or standing or sometimes outside. It's not only fine but fun.

Thanksgiving with my ILs is smaller so we sit at the table and serve from that table. Which is also fine.

[Anonymous]

We only serve from the table when it's like, 6 to 8 of us. But for a larger group, it's buffet style.

[Anonymous]

We do buffet. Please do not plate food for others. It's not a restaurant.

[Anonymous]

We do family style with multiple serving dishes of everything. But nothing wrong with using a buffet and definitely easier.

[Anonymous]

I've hosted Thanksgiving every year for over 30 years. Even when there were smaller groups, it's still more difficult with people passing bowls to each other, getting up and reaching over, etc. It is always MUCH more efficient to host buffet style, and the formality doesn't have to suffer. We all are sitting together for a long time either way, and people just get up to go to the buffet table to get seconds, etc. Much less disruptive and easier all around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a huge family and we do a buffet. The buffet covers the dining table so everyone eats perched on sofas or standing or sometimes outside. It's not only fine but fun.

Thanksgiving with my ILs is smaller so we sit at the table and serve from that table. Which is also fine.

Wow I hate this. Not fun at all.

[Anonymous]

With different tables buffet is probably easier. But we always do family style ad mom as a large table and we are usually 15 ish. We do have some dishes on both sides of the table in smaller bowls.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all! I think we're just going to move forward and be confident with buffet. I think it's going to be more practical. I agree with the poster who said that it's less disruptive. -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a huge family and we do a buffet. The buffet covers the dining table so everyone eats perched on sofas or standing or sometimes outside. It's not only fine but fun.

Thanksgiving with my ILs is smaller so we sit at the table and serve from that table. Which is also fine.

Wow I hate this. Not fun at all.

Agreed. This only works well if people eat for 20 min and done. We do multiple courses, lots of wine, conversation, breaks to clear table and reset for dessert. Its a 3 hr meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a huge family and we do a buffet. The buffet covers the dining table so everyone eats perched on sofas or standing or sometimes outside. It's not only fine but fun.

Thanksgiving with my ILs is smaller so we sit at the table and serve from that table. Which is also fine.

Is there not a kitchen island or kitchen counter/stovetop to put the food on?