Grab things from the garden, spray paint them in silvers and golds. Simple but they look really effective, you’ll be surprised how a spray of paint can turn things into Christmas

Simple steamed vegetables are excellent sides to a roast. Table decorations are easy. Just buy a bag of glitter or sparkly shapes and pour them in a long line down the centre of the table.

For this christmas get the girls involved with making placemats! My girls make some each year, just out of paper, that they decorate for the table.

A crisp white tablecloth would look beautiful with the poinsettia flowers and a glass cylinder full of beautiful red, green and gold shiny baubles in the centre of the table.

Do yourself a huge favour and pop the meat in to slow cook! I like to use a tall glass jar filled with lights and christmas decorations in the middle of the table, it keeps it all in the centre and makes it a little easier to keep curious little ones under control – it’s not quite as easy to grab and pull everything!
I squeeze lemon over the top of my roast potato’s in their final 15 minutes to give it a little something different.

Thank you so much for your lovely comments and suggestions. It is very kind of you.
Mick and I would like to wish you and your family a wonderfully happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2015.

Since we have a very sick dog, we talked to our son and his partner and offered to give them money for electricity (they are a struggling young family with 3 girls) then if they can cook the meat, we can bring the vegies, half cooked, and take all the table decorations to their place. In that way the 3 girls aged 5,3 and 1 can play with their toys at home and if they want a nap, they can in their own beds. We will supply everything and I will decorate the table, but they supply the big yard and tables and chairs. If it is a nice day we will eat outside whilst the kids play with their outdoor presents.

I really do appreciate all your suggestions.
xxx Dee
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

for yoursides if you go to coles or safeway around 6 pm most of the salads and side dishes are marked down a lot which you ca use. even the cabana and cheese platters and pretzel packs.

For the table even if you just keep it simple it will look good as once you have all the food and the plates ect on the table with the trimmings they will love it Merry Christmas to

Your hubby sounds wonderful. Make sure you don’t over do it though, I would hate for you to be in pain from all your efforts! If the meat is taken care of, try not too worry about sides, you can buy lots of premade salads or why not ask your family to bring a plate? As for the decorations, it will all look lovely! You can put a bauble/decoration as a place marker for each person, use your poinsetta as a table centre piece or scatter along the table. It will be great, enjoy your special day.

I normally just place a nice white table cloth then a red runner over the table, place flowers in the middle.
set all the placemats with name tags and crackers.
maybe add some tinsel around the table.
Side meals i would do a few salads, coleslaw, corn on the cob.