Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
Every family has its favorite dishes for the holidays, traditions that have been passed down year after year. Maybe it is time to spice things up and introduce some new recipes or at least make some variations to some favorites. It's a good idea to incorporate family favorites from your spouse's family (if you can get them to share the recipes), especially if you can't get together with that side of the family. Here are a few different ideas to help you find your own groove this holiday season.
Appetizers - Why not have a few appetizers set out, so people can snack while dinner is finishing up? Set out some healthy things to munch on, like fruit and veggies or cheese and crackers. It's easy to set up a nice tray; even just a foil lined pizza pan covered in clear plastic with Christmas designs on it can dress up the table.
Side Dishes - Tired of the same old stuffing or mashed potatoes? Try some souped up stuffing. Take some precooked chicken (or left over turkey from Thanksgiving), picked off the bone and then mix that with your favorite cream soup (chicken, mushroom or celery) and some sour cream, top with stuffing, add a little water and bake according to the directions on the stuffing box.
Other side dishes can feature different vegetables, noodles or potatoes. You could also have some fruit side dishes, like baked apples. If it’s a family gathering where everyone brings a different dish, then try out that recipe you've been wanting to make but haven't.
Main Dishes - While a ham or turkey may be traditional for Christmas dinner, how about a roast? It's simple to cook a nice, moist roast using a slow cooker. Place the meat in the slow cooker, add some broth or au jus, some favorite spices and let it cook while you are enjoying the family. Add some vegetables; simply select ones that cook well in the slow cooker and there is one less dish to make.
Desserts - Everybody loves desserts, especially at the holidays. We tend to overindulge in them. Try to find some desserts that are still delicious, yet a little less filling. Gelatin, especially if you make red or green, is always a hit around the holidays. Add fruit or make it into squares or even fun shapes with cookie cutters.
Instead of having very heavy desserts try having an angel food cake. Adding red and green candy or sugar sprinkles gives it a festive look. Have a variety of bite-size desserts, such as mints, chocolate covered nuts or peanut butter balls. This will give guests a variety and help curb the need to overindulge as well.
More Articles
Mom Time – Ideas For How To Spend Your Time Alone
Back To School Kids: Five Show And Tell Favorites
Teen After School Activities – Volunteering
Is Your Newborn At Risk For RSV?
Seven Tips For Getting Your Husband To Help With Housework
Halloween Scavenger Hunt For Younger Kids
Products And Downloads
Latest Updates From BBC News
Staff 'too timid' on child abuse
Professionals should not shy away from removing children from abusive parents and putting them in care, a group of experts says.
Closer watch on children's care
Children's services in England are to be more closely monitored following a "damning" report into the Baby P case.
Claimants 'should be work ready'
Lone parents of children aged one to seven should be preparing to re-enter work, says a review.
Parents warned over measles jab
Parents in Staffordshire are advised to make sure their children are immunised against measles.
Care for children is 'inadequate'
Social care services for children in Northamptonshire is branded "inadequate" after an inspection.
Council 'sorry' for murder delay
Brighton council apologises after social workers failed to act on concerns raised by a young girl whose mother had been murdered.
Builders help rescue fire family
Builders rescue a mother and her two children trapped in a house fire in Nottinghamshire.
Ambulance staff checks 'lacking'
A BBC investigation into a private ambulance operator finds shortcomings in staff vetting and training.
Left-handers' lower test scores
Left-handed pupils do less well in tests than their right-handed peers, a study from Bristol University suggests.
Nurseries closed without notice
Hundreds of parents are left without childcare after two south-west London nurseries closed without notice.
More Articles And Free Videos
... store sales can go either way; so check online first to determine the best selling price. While most people love going to stores to shop, there are just as many who find Black Friday too intimidating. Either way, you have options. Even though Black Friday is the sale day of the year, it is not the only ...
Inexpensive Decorating Ideas For Halloween
... or wherever you deem appropriate. Using black construction paper, you can make a stream of bats and hang them on the wall of your kitchen or living room. Or, you can simply attach them to the walls using tape. In addition, you can always purchase the black and orange streamers and decorate the rec room ...
Kids After School Activities: Cooking With Mom
... ingredients, cooking time from start to finish, and so on. All of the major food network stars discuss how they learned to cook from their moms and are now teaching their children. Some of the star s own children have TV shows of their own. Cooking with mom encompasses not only learning how to cook, but ...
Family Time: Decorate The Yard For Fall
... This would be a great addition to the flower pots placed either in the back yard or on your front steps. If you have a tree in your back yard, and it is beginning to reveal its colorful leaves of red and gold, you can select an area where you can place a full-sized scarecrow crafted by your kids or the ...
Scrapbooking Ideas For Graduation
... write about a teacher who inspired them, a specific moment or occasion they were most proud of or an overall view of what the best part about being a student in their particular school meant to them. Remember when you graduated from high school or college? Certainly, you had special moments you ll never ...