Christmas is an occasion for friends, family, and, most importantly, delicious food!
Look no further if you're looking for inspiration for the holiday feast. We've collected some of our favorite Christmas dinner party ideas for you to try.
What's a celebration without desserts? So, ending a holiday feast on a sweet note is a tradition as old as time. And what could be better than indulging in delicious Christmas desserts?
From classic favorites like gingerbread and pumpkin pie to new twists on old standbys, we've got something for everyone.
We'll also look at how people from every corner of the world celebrate this occasion of joy. So sit back, relax, and let us help you make your Christmas perfect.
Southern Italy
Southern Italy's traditional Christmas feast, also known as La Vigilia, typically includes a variety of fish dishes such as baccalà (salt cod) and other seafood. This is because of the Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve.
The meal includes various vegetable dishes such as caponata, a sweet and sour eggplant dish, and Insalata di rinforzo, a salad made with endives and radicchio.
Desserts such as panettone and pandoro, traditional Italian Christmas cakes, and torrone, a nougat candy, are also served. The meal is usually followed by the opening of presents and the Midnight Mass.
Sweden
In Sweden, the traditional Christmas dinner is called "Julbord". It includes many foods such as smoked salmon, pickled herring, meatballs, and sausages. The centerpiece of the meal is often a large ham or pork roast.
Traditional desserts include gingerbread cookies and rice pudding with lingonberry jam. The feast is typically enjoyed on Christmas Eve and is often accompanied by Christmas carols and the exchange of gifts.
Some families also light advent candles and attend church services before the meal.
Poland
In Poland, they call it Wigilia. This is typically held on Christmas Eve and is an important part of the country's Christmas celebrations. The meal usually consists of a variety of traditional dishes such as fish, pierogi (dumplings), and bigos (a type of stew).
Some families also include meatless dishes, such as mushroom soup or lentil stew, as part of the meal, as it is traditionally a fast day before Christmas Day. Desserts may include makowiec (a type of poppy seed cake) and kutia (a sweet grain pudding).
The meal is often served with a traditional Christmas drink like mulled wine or honey-spiced mead. The family will gather around the table and share the meal, often with the youngest child opening the first door of the Advent calendar, a traditional way of counting down the days to Christmas.
Puerto Rico
Christmas is a major holiday here, celebrated with various traditions and customs. One of the most important traditions is the "Nochebuena" feast, which is held on Christmas Eve.
This Christmas feast includes a large meal with family and friends, featuring traditional dishes such as Lechon (roast pork), Arroz con Gandules (rice with pigeon peas), pasteles (a type of tamale made with plantains and filled with meat or vegetables), and coquito (a coconut-based drink).
Many families also attend Midnight Mass, known as "La Misa del Gallo" (Rooster's Mass), and decorate their homes with nativities, Christmas lights, and other decorations.
These are just a glimpse of places where this festival is traditionally celebrated with lots of fun. Coming back to you, have you planned anything to enjoy this Christmas? Don't worry; we have some amazing ideas.
Ideas for Planning the Perfect Christmas Dinner Party
When it comes to hosting the perfect Christmas dinner party, a few ideas can blow anyone's mind.
There's nothing quite like a classic roasted vegetable dish to whet the appetite for Christmas dinner. Good old parsnips, carrots, and potatoes roasted in olive oil and butter are always a great option.
Another all-time favorite is the Christmas salad. Use a mix of romaine hearts, cos lettuce, dried cranberries, pistachios, and Parmesan cheese. The dressing is a simple mix of olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper. It's always a hit with both adults and kids.
Traditional Christmas dishes are all about celebrating the season with recipes like ham, mashed potatoes, and more. Also, complete your Christmas dinner party menu with a show-stopping main course. A juicy roast turkey will impress even the pickiest eaters.
Let's have a look at these mouth-whelming recipes.
#1. Oven Roasted Turkey
Oven-roasted turkey is a classic Christmas dinner that is sure to put a smile on everyone's face. It's easy to prepare and tastes delicious!
Here is a Beginners Guide to Oven Roasted Turkey:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and make sure the roasting pan has enough room for the turkey.
- Then, season the turkey with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other herbs of your choice.
- Place it in the roasting pan, breast side up, and cover it with parchment paper or aluminum foil if you're not ready to cook.
- Bake for about 15 minutes per pound.
When it's done, let it rest for 15 minutes before serving so that all of the juices stay in – now you've got a perfectly cooked turkey!
#2. Mashed Potatoes for Christmas Dinner
Who can forget mashed potatoes on Christmas day? They are a staple of the holiday season and can be a great side dish or even a main course.
- To make this delicious dish, start by peeling and cutting the potatoes into small cubes.
- Put them in a pot, cover with cold salted water, and boil them. Once boiled, drain the potatoes and let them cool for about 10 minutes.
- Place in a bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork, then add melted butter, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, herbs such as parsley and chives, salt and pepper to taste.
Mix until everything is well incorporated. Serve as a side dish or top with some crispy bacon to make it the star of the Christmas dinner. Bon appétit!
#3. Cranberry Sauce
Holidays are just around the corner, and you're looking to make something special for Christmas dinner? Well, here's an idea: cranberry sauce! This delicious and simple recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
- The key to making the perfect cranberry sauce is to start with fresh ingredients, including fresh cranberries, sugar, and orange juice.
- Over medium heat, combine the ingredients in a medium saucepan and cook until the sugar dissolves and the berries start to burst.
- Once that happens, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes before adding a pinch of salt and some orange zest.
Let it cool down for about half an hour before transferring it into a serving bowl.
#4. Christmas Ham
Nothing says 'Christmas' like a delicious ham, and it's easy to make! All you need is a big piece of ham, some fresh herbs and spices, and a bit of sugar.
- Mix the herbs and sugar in a bowl.
- Then, rub the mixture all over the ham, coating it evenly.
- From there, bake that in the oven for about 2 hours at 350°F.
- For an extra special touch, add ½ cup of red wine or cider to the bottom of the baking dish to keep the ham nice and moist as it cooks.
Once the ham is finished cooking, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Garnish it with sprigs of rosemary or cloves for an added Christmassy flair. Enjoy your delicious holiday feast!
#5. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a traditional dessert often served during the Christmas holiday season.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F to make pumpkin pie for Christmas.
- Combine one can of pumpkin puree, 1 cup of sugar, 1 tsp of ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp of ground ginger, and 1/4 tsp of ground nutmeg in a large bowl.
- Mix two eggs and 1 cup of heavy cream in a separate bowl. Slowly add the egg and cream mixture to the pumpkin mixture, stirring well. Pour the mixture into a pre-made pie crust and bake for 15 minutes.
- Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking for an additional 45-50 minutes or until the pie is set.
Serve the pie with whipped cream on top. This recipe is a delicious and easy way to add a festive touch to the Christmas meal. You can also go for a healthier version of Pumpkin Pie without Evaporated Milk on regular days as well.
#6. Gingerbread Houses
Gingerbread houses are a popular Christmas decoration, made from gingerbread cookies that are decorated with various sweets and candies to create a miniature house.
They are often used as a fun and festive activity for families and children to enjoy during the holiday season.
- You'll need gingerbread dough (the recipe can vary, but it typically includes flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and molasses), royal icing (made from powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice), decorations such as candy (such as gumdrops, peppermints, and M&M's), icing, and sprinkles to prepare Gingerbread House.
- Start by making the gingerbread dough and rolling it out to your desired thickness (around 1/4 inch is typical for gingerbread houses). Cut out the pieces for the walls, roof, and any additional decorations you want to make.
- Bake the gingerbread pieces, and let them cool completely.
- Assemble the house using the royal icing as "glue" to hold the pieces together. Let the icing dry for a few hours or overnight.
- Decorate the house with candy and icing as desired.
Let the decorations dry before displaying or packaging the gingerbread house. Ultimately, no matter what you choose, it's sure to be a hit at the dinner table!
Makeuhealthy – Serving it Well
So this year, take the lead from the pros and make the Christmas recipes one to remember. With a little preparation and these simple recipes, your holiday feast will be one to savor.
Makeuhealthy has got everything to make your Christmas dinner party a success. Your guests will love them, and you'll get to enjoy some of the best treats of the season. So get cooking and enjoy a stress-free holiday season!
Happy eating!