Christmas for a crowd away from home - any tips?

Can you check the size of the oven and fridge? Or to be on the safe side 2 smaller turkeys rather than a huge one.

An extra Kettle
Sellotape
Sticky lables
Drawing pins
Ice for drinks and in coolbags for fridge overspill

We did this five years ago and it was a great success. DD was very organised and gave everyone lists of what they should bring.

We used tin foil dishes for all oven baked or roasted food to save on washing up even though there was a dishwasher. We roasted two turkey crowns instead of a whole bird so there was no carcass to deal with. The converted barn we stayed in was very well equipped but we did take extra loo roll, kitchen roll and paper napkins as well as firelighters and matches for the woodburner although these were actually provided.

A first aid box is essential in the event of minor burns/cuts. Colds can strike at any time so paracetamol and hot lemon drinks might be needed.

It's a good idea to to leave all the 'just in case' stuff in the car and not unpack it unless you have to.

Hope you have a great Christmas.

Cottage we stayed in this autumn did not provide any basics, so add soap, washing up liquid etc. Plus there were no starter condiments like salt, pepper sugar. My past experience had been that cottage owners do provide basics, so it might be worth you checking what is provided.

One company we went with a few years ago provided a list of everything that was available in the cottage which I found really helpfull. I have also noticed driving through the Peak District on Fridays and Saturdays online delivery vans for all the major retailers making deliveries to holiday cottages, which must be a big help for people who use them.

If it is a rented house they may have decorated for you. We have had several Christmases away and on all occasions the house has been beautifully decorated, complete with tree. So do check before you go.

Dishwasher tablets

Various OTC medications for headaches, indigestion, tummy aches etc.
Hot water bottles

We had a holiday cottage in Wales this year very basic supplies of household cleaning things, loo rolls, terrible radio - luckily we took one cant do without music especially at Xmas.
It sounds lovely I have been trying to get my family to do that for ages. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Plastic boxes for leftovers and extra gadget chargers. ( if you have them)

Multi-purpose anti-bacterial wipes. Hopefully you won't need them, but I never go to holiday cottages without them, just in case! (I know they're frowned upon for not being good for the environment but think you can be excused as it's Christmas!)

Yes, I agree with taking one's own kitchen tools, especially sharp knives, also a potato masher, pepper mill etc. A torch is also a good idea if you are very rural.

Waitrose definitely deliver around Devon and we place an order for things like toilet roll, dishwasher tablets, toiletries, milk, eggs etc. etc. to turn up an hour or so after our expected arrival time.

As BBbevan says, check whether the house will be decorated for you. I'd be surprised if it weren't, but best to find out first rather than have to rush out and buy a tree and decorations (we had to once!)

If there's lots of you, I recommend taking an extra bath mat as it usually gets well damp and smelly. If you have a dog, pack throws and blankets.

Hope you all have a great time.

Extra glasses cool box and freezer packs to store wine and free up space in the fridge. Children's stocking to hang on Christmas eve.
Everything already mentioned plus my own tin opener, T-towels.

Many thanks, everyone!
I now have a nice little notebook with several different lists, kitchen, non kitchen, etc.

According to the photos there are 2 full size ovens - it's a converted pub and pretty big - actually sleeps 16! Only booked it a couple of months ago and given that big places get booked up early, we counted ourselves lucky to get it.

Salt, pepper, herbs, sauces. It's the little things that are forgotten. UHT milk?

Xmas crackers, bottle opener, xmas tablecloth (even if it's just a paper one) quiz games and if it's an older property perhaps best to take a pack of mixed electrical fuses. Hope you have a lovely time.

Oh no, not UHT milk. ? You can freeze small (pints) of semi-skimmed milk. It will help to keep the ice box cold when transporting food, and defrosts quite quickly.

Kitchen towels, j cloths, rubber gloves, bleach spray, lots of alcohol , pens, paper, chocolate.

Hot water bottles!

Sorry, just seen Teetime has already suggested hot water bottles...

Any tips? Yes, Don't go!!! sounds like a nightmare to me.

Why on earth were rubber gloves the first thing on your list?

BTW Witzend where abouts in Devon?

Not a helpful tip Shanna!!!

Sorry Shanma

Sounds wonderful to me ^Witzend*

Best advice on here is to contact owners and find out what will be provided already, but even so take your own favourite utensils and foil cooking dishes.

A nightmare?? It sounds fantastic to me! A corkscrew, just in case any of the wine is old school. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to buy one over the years.