Where'd I put the chafing dishes?

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, soccer is over (hockey, not quite), shopping has been started and I've pressed the first load of Mr. Rooney's shirts, I can now focus on the next big event--and no, it's not Christmas.

Sean's retirement party is quickly approaching, because only I would plan such a huge event four days before the year's biggest event to ensure that I will be committed to an insane asylum on December 26th. But when do I ever make things easy or pass up an opportunity to party and make mini beef wellingtons for 150?

But looking at the shopping list and sheer number of trips to retail outlets over the next 3 weeks--I may just be making fava bean canapes with a nice bottle of Chianti.