| Families the majority of us have them and as the | | | | culture I suggest you stick to classic dishes, this |
| saying goes we do not get to choose who we | | | | works for me time and again. That said be careful |
| are related to. With this in mind family meals and | | | | to cater for anyone in your family who has any |
| gatherings can be fraught with challenges I am | | | | special preferences, for example they may be a |
| sure you will agree. In this article I am going to | | | | vegetarian or have allergies. In both cases a little |
| put forward my solutions for organising the | | | | consideration is required and will be well received |
| perfect family meal. | | | | by your guests. |
| You may wonder why I consider myself qualified | | | | 2) Seating Arrangements - I always seat the |
| to express such views and all I can say in | | | | children and adults separately. This allows both |
| response is that I come from a very large, very | | | | groups to spend time catching up and definitely |
| vocal family. In short I have years of experience | | | | gives the parents a well earned break. With the |
| of squeezing aunties, uncles, cousins, brothers, | | | | kids we always work on the older looking after |
| sisters and the in-laws into my modest | | | | the younger and I tend to get my own teenage |
| semi-detached home. | | | | children to head this up. Another point to consider |
| In fact out of all my brothers and sisters (there | | | | when seating people is to keep any relatives |
| are nine of us in total), our home is seen to be | | | | apart who do not always get along. It just makes |
| obvious venue for the majority of family events. | | | | sense to take put them at opposite ends and will |
| Hopefully you will now consider my credentials well | | | | reduce any tension. |
| in order. | | | | I always relax my adult visitors with a nice glass |
| There are two main points to consider when | | | | or two of wine and give them time to unwind |
| organising the perfect family meal. | | | | afterwards in one of our family lounges. |
| 1) The Menu - Get the menu right and everyone | | | | Arrangements are always made for the children |
| will be happy. I simply choose traditional food and | | | | to do some sort of activity that will burn lots of |
| avoid anything to adventurous. So whatever your | | | | energy and give them room to let off steam. |