For 10-12 guests, do you do buffet style or family style passing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I strongly dislike passing even for small gatherings; it crowds the table, and people are obligated to pass more than enjoy their food. And as PP said above, it’s more noticeable if you decline a dish or only take a tiny bit of it to be polite.

Same. We only have six and passing is obnoxious. And I'm sure the poster who said nobody has manners would tell us we are doing it all wrong anyway. It used to be random passing and help the children; now it's random passing and help the elderly, pour their gravy, serve their peas, etc.

I don't know how to pass in a civilized way. I guess we need footmen.

We always have 11-12 including elderly (who still want to help themselves of course) and children but my MIL insists on passing everything with fine china and it's honestly become kind of dangerous because she also insists on everything being boiling hot (like gravy still bubbling but in a fine china boat).

Also the dishes are very heavy. And we have candles on the table. It's a disaster waiting to happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lazy Susan or GTFO

I like this idea. Or the footmen idea from above.
Or footmen with Lazy Susans?

We have footpeople, anyone over 10 who is not an adult is drafted.

[Anonymous]

Buffet so it's easier to serve oneself, no passing dishes around at an already crowded table. It'd be ok with fewer dishes but Thanksgiving is such an abundance of food it's just more practical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lazy Susan or GTFO

I like this idea. Or the footmen idea from above.
Or footmen with Lazy Susans?

We have footpeople, anyone over 10 who is not an adult is drafted.

Very egalitarian on the name. And why have kids if they don't have a purpose?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We do buffet for first helpings, and then send the kids to get specific things and pass them around.

This is the best way to do it. Buffet, then move rolls, gravy, and a platter with sliced turkey to the main table. Heavy casserole dishes stay at the buffet table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lazy Susan or GTFO

I like this idea. Or the footmen idea from above.
Or footmen with Lazy Susans?

We have footpeople, anyone over 10 who is not an adult is drafted.

Very egalitarian on the name. And why have kids if they don't have a purpose?

Hindsight says it would probably have been more cost effective to save the daycare money, and the college fund, and all the other expenses and hire professional footpeople. Especially since my particular amateur footpeople keep eating all the pie.

But they're cute.

[Anonymous]

It’s hybrid for us. 25 adults (and who knows how many children) expected for 4 pm. There will be mains and everyone’s favorite side dishes on the table. There will be two buffets with less popular side dishes and desserts. You plate whatever you want from the less popular sides and then sit and pass.

It’s odd, but it works.