Christmas dinner circles back every year and the excitement it brings is tenfold. We become inundated with the shopping and decorating. That alone requires ample time to get prepared. If you host Christmas dinner or are hosting for the first time, then buckle up because these tips are for you!
Guests
Who will grace your Christmas dinner? Will you keep it intimate or go big? Make a list of invitees and set about inviting them. Don’t forget to take note of any dietary restrictions.
Click to download the customizable guest list form below.
Dinner Menu
Protein
Creating the dinner menu comes before the the grocery list. First, determine your main protein. I usually choose to bake a chicken or a large piece of salmon. Keep in mind, if you’re hosting an intimate dinner of six, you only need one protein.
If instead, you have thirty people attending, then you need to double up on your protein or add additional options.
Sides
Consider cooking sides that you can prep in advance. For instance, sweet potato casserole can be boiled, mashed, prepped and refrigerated about a day or two in advance.
The rule of thumb, aka my rule, is to choose sides that compliment your protein. If baked salmon or chicken is on the menu, then mashed potatoes is a must. I would add corn casserole because why wouldn’t you? Snap your fingers and it’s done! Plus you can prep this in advance as well.
My vegetarian stuffed mushrooms are light, delicious and will be the avant-garde offering at the dinner table.
Add a rice dish to balance the richness of the potatoes and the savory flavor of the mushrooms. Black rice adds a nice touch and is a healthier option. Not only is it tasty, it has many health benefits such as fiber, antioxidants, iron, copper, zinc, vitamin E and it’s gluten free!
If black rice isn’t an option because it does take about an hour to prepare, then wild rice can be cooked in under twenty minutes.
Finish choosing the main dishes of Christmas dinner by adding a green side dish. A nice salad, steamed veggies or roasted brussel sprouts. Don’t forget the gravy . Trust me, your guests will thank you for this delectable dinner.
Dessert
You can bake a pound cake, a pie in advance or support local bakers. Apple pie and ice cream is a crowd favorite or opt for cheese cake.
Christmas Menu
Download Your fully customizable Christmas dinner menu here. This is what it looks like:
Grocery list
When it comes to protein and beverages, get these early. The perishables can be bought closer to the event.
Here’s your grocery list:
*Don’t forget to add your quantity and please note this is a sample. You still need to create your own list based on your number of guests and menu. The sides I selected for this meal were, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, wild rice and brussel sprouts.
- 1 6LB chicken and/or
- 3-4 LB salmon
- bottled waters
- sodas/beverages
- Potatoes
- Wild Rice
- Butter
- Heavy Cream
- Salt
- Cheese
- 1 can creamed corn
- 1 can kernel corn
- Sour cream
- 1 jiffy corn muffin mix
- Dried cranberries
- Walnuts
- Whole brussel sprouts
Table Setting
Christmas dinner table can be as simple or heavily seasonal as you’d like it to be. Whether you opt for a candelabra centerpiece or pillar candles to set the tone, it will all look inviting and equally stunning.
Add a seasonal table runner or exquisite table cloth, simple chargers and set your table if it’s a small gathering. You have the choice of heavy duty disposable plates and utensils or your special occasion dinnerware set.
Gift Giving
Decide when you will gift give; prior to dinner or later. Label and organize your gifts if guests present will open a gift.
Games
Here are some fun games to play at Christmas and the link that explains it all. Plus, thirty seven additional games your family may enjoy.
- Christmas bingo
- Christmas family feud
- Christmas song pictionary
C.T.A. : Ready to host the perfect Christmas dinner? Download our easy to use Canva templates included in this post for free. You don’t need a pro Canva account to get access. Happy Holidays!
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