casual christmas eve menu ideas

What to make for Christmas Eve?

Things to do on Christmas Eve when you’re home

1. Decorate the tree. I know this one sounds crazy, even as I type it. ...
2. Hang stockings. So while it may seem just as crazy as waiting until night before to decorate your tree, absolutely save the stockings for Christmas Eve.
3. Drink some hot chocolate. ...
4. Prepare Christmas Eve dinner. ...

What restaurants are open Christmas Eve dinner?

The Best NJ Restaurants Open on Christmas

• North Jersey. Details: Fresco Da Franco is open for dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24 and 25, 2021).
• Central Jersey. Details: For 2021, the Summit House is hosting a holiday prix fixe meal for Christmas Eve. ...
• Jersey Shore. ...
• South Jersey. ...

What are the best Christmas dinner ideas?

• 1. Prep, prep, prep “There’s always going to be a lot of pressure on the big feast and the first thing I’d say is to prepare ahead,” says chef Selin ...
• 2. No need to restrict everyone If you’re able to put aside the view that Christmas dinner is just one massive roast and think a little more creatively, you can ...
• 3. ...
• 5. ...
• 7. ...

How to make Christmas Eve as special as Christmas?

How to make Christmas Eve just as special as Christmas Day

• Christmas eve boxes. One of the first things you could consider would be Christmas Eve boxes. ...
• A gift to open at night. ...
• Watching a Christmas film. ...
• Tracking Santa online. ...
• Have a family meal. ...
• Invite friends and family over to celebrate. ...
• Go out for a Christmas walk. ...
• New or old traditions. ...

What is the traditional Christmas Eve meal?

One of the more popular Christmas Eve dishes is fish, particularly fish pie. "This is a Catholic tradition related to the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Some Catholics still include seven different fishes in the meal – not difficult if you're making a pie," says Brown.

What are 3 food items that are popular for Christmas dinner?

And in the United States, we've definitely got our favorites. According to a 2020 survey, turkey's the star for 73% of us, with prime rib (69%), roast beef (66%), steak (65%), chicken (64%), roast pork (64%) and ham (62%) also popular contenders.

What are the top 10 Christmas dinners?

35 Best Christmas Dinner Recipe CollectionMaple Glazed Ham.Stuffing.Oven-Roasted Turkey.Cranberry Apple Pork Chops.Roasted Parmesan Potatoes.Beef Brisket.Roasted Butternut Squash Parmesan.Potato Leek Soup.More items...•

What do you serve at a Christmas buffet?

Christmas BuffetSlow Roast Beef. ... Chicken and Bacon Choucroute with Potato Salad. ... Butternut Squash and Creamed-Spinach Gratin. ... Baked French Toast with Pecan Crumble. ... Boudin Blanc–Stuffed Turkey Breasts with Chestnuts. ... Honey-and-Rye-Glazed Ham. ... Lamb Pot Roast with Oranges and Olives. ... Belgian Ale-Braised Brisket.More items...

What can you prepare on Christmas Eve?

8 Christmas foods to prepare in advanceGravy. Christmas dinner just wouldn't be Christmas dinner without a good gravy. ... Stuffing. The beauty of preparing stuffing early, is that you can even freeze it directly in an oven dish and put it straight in the oven on Christmas day. ... Roast potatoes. ... Sauces.

What is the most common food eaten on Christmas?

The Most Popular Christmas Dishes The #1 pick is roast potatoes, with a win percentage of 76%. Mashed potatoes came in second (75%), and turkey was third (73%)—the only protein in the top five.

What's a good meat for Christmas dinner?

The 5 Meats of Christmas1) Beef Tenderloin. If you love filet mignon, this is the holiday roast for you. ... 2) Crown Roast of Pork. A crown roast is created by taking a bone-in pork loin and assembling it into a circle with the ribs pointed upward. ... 3) Prime Rib. ... 4) Spiral Ham. ... Holiday Short-Cut Rump Roast.

What vegetables go on a Christmas dinner?

Christmas VegetablesPotatoes.Celery.Carrots, Parsnips and Red Onions.Sprouts.Olive oil.Butter.Salt & pepper.Fresh parsley.

What do you cook on Christmas Day?

60 Iconic Christmas Dinner Recipes To Fill Out Your Whole Menu of 63. Perfect Prime Rib. ... of 63. Cranberry Brie Bites. ... of 63. Perfect Mashed Potatoes. ... of 63. Pull-Apart Christmas Tree. ... of 63. Beef Tenderloin. ... of 63. Bûche de Noël. ... of 63. Roasted Red Potatoes. ... of 63. Classic Eggnog.More items...•

What do I serve on Christmas night?

50 Best Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas That Will Make It a Night to Remember of 50. Baked Gnocchi Alfredo. ... of 50. Bacon-Wrapped Turkey. ... of 50. Braised Short Ribs. ... of 50. Candy Cane Cookies. ... of 50. Foil-Packet Shrimp Pasta. ... of 50. Beef Wellington. ... of 50. Sausage Rolls. ... of 50. Maple-Bacon Brussels Sprouts.More items...•

How do you set a Christmas Eve buffet table?

3:397:26Christmas 2019 Buffet Setup | Holiday Entertaining Ideas - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can really you can do more instead of trying to bin limbs. And kind of make them fit I just likeMoreYou can really you can do more instead of trying to bin limbs. And kind of make them fit I just like to tuck. Now. I thought about this in Reverse. I wanted to put lights throughout my buffet.

How do you set a buffet for Christmas table?

1:566:30How to Organize your Holiday Buffet Christmas Buffet 2019 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMy next step is to add in all the plates in platters that my food will be sitting out on I thinkMoreMy next step is to add in all the plates in platters that my food will be sitting out on I think it's so much easier when your plates are white you could just add in a few decorative elements.

What is a good salad for Christmas?

Here’s a super easy salad that looks and tastes festive for the wonderful Christmas season, but is also wonderful all year round. Vinaigrette dressing coats the greens nicely. —Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario

What do oranges add to winter meals?

Oranges add color and great taste to winter meals! This dish looks very bright and appealing served in a glass bowl, and it's a light and easy dessert to finish off a hearty holiday meal. As far as I'm concerned, the citrusy aroma of oranges is a must at Christmas time! —Billie Moss, Walnut Creek, California

Crown Roast With Apricot Dressing: Taste of Home

If you’re one of those chefs that likes to attempt fancy dishes like this but goes cuckoo in the kitchen, don’t worry, you can pull this off. Just keep calm and cook one thing at a time. Or, keep calm and turn the burners down.

Harissa Roast Salmon with Lemon Chickpea Couscous: BBC goodfood

I feel like salmon is always the way to go when you want to serve a fancy fish dish. It’s a very meaty and savory fish (not to mention a good nutrition source), and salmon is almost impossible to ruin.

Sweet Potato-and-Cauliflower Salad: CountryLiving

The best elegant side dishes to prepare are the ones where you chop, mix, oil, and bake. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. When you have a large festive group to feed, a vegetable side is ideal. This recipe consists of baked hearty veggies tossed over light uncooked veggies.

Italian Roasted Mushrooms and Veggies: JoCooks

Another simple to make vegetable side that looks great on a plate, is this roasted mushroom, cauliflower, and cocktail tomatoes dish. You’ll definitely keep it casual with this because it’s not anything too overdone.

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes: Delish

Delish says it best, these potatoes are “the perfect side no matter what you’ll be making.” This can pass as a casual Christmas Eve dinner side dish. It has delicious flavor and heartiness baked into it. It says, I’m not trying too hard, but I want us to eat some good food tonight! Find the recipe here at Delish.

Wild Rice Dressing: Betty Crocker

Betty Crocker has a mean wild rice recipe. It’s boxed rice, and the flavors you add in are what makes it fancy enough for a Christmas Eve dinner idea. Try adding this to your menu as a side or a dressing to a delicious roast. You can find this recipe here at Betty Crocker.

Gingerbread Eggnog: Delish

And we shall close with a little Kahlúa and Vodka. Gingerbread eggnog (in this fashion) is for the more lively Christmas Eve dinner. It’s an eggnog with a cinnamon sugar and molasses twist that makes it more like a dessert. You will be getting a bit fancy putting it together, but don’t worry it’s a fun fix. Enjoy this recipe here at Delish.

1. Cacio e Pepe (20 minutes)

A classic Italian recipe that feels fancy (especially if you nail the pronunciation), but it actually requires just four ingredients if you don’t count salt and pepper.

2. One-Pan Roasted Salmon with Potatoes and Romaine (40 minutes)

The main course and side dishes all come together on the same pan, so you can wrap last-minute gifts instead of cleaning up after dinner.

5. Goat Cheese Pasta with Spinach and Artichokes (25 minutes)

The secret to a creamy, 30-minute pasta dish? Goat cheese. It melts together with the pasta water for the easiest sauce ever.

6. Citrus, Shrimp and Quinoa Salad with Feta (20 minutes)

If you’re anticipating a gut-busting Christmas feast, why not keep things on the lighter side with a bright, briny shrimp salad?

7. Pan-Seared Scallops with Citrusy Corn Succotash (40 minutes)

Something about scallops screams special occasion, so it’s a pleasant surprise that they require only two minutes of cooking per side (and are actually pretty nutritious).

8. Moules-Frites (Steamed Mussels and Fries) (30 minutes)

We don’t know if Parisians eat mussels and fries on the night before Christmas, but Santa does.

10. Greek Chicken and Rice Skillet (40 minutes)

Easy, gorgeous and delicious are our three favorite food groups. Plus, there’s feta—need we say more?

Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini

Pomegranate seeds intrigue me, so I sliced French bread, smeared it with cream cheese, and added seeds, pistachios and chocolate. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Holiday Appetizer Meatballs

These beefy meatballs are a perennial favorite at our holiday parties. You won't believe how easy these holiday appetizers are to make. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Mini Mac & Cheese Bites

Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. Instead, the adults devoured my mini mac and cheese. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York

Mini Rosemary-Roast Beef Sandwiches

Roast beef sandwiches never last long at a party, especially if you dollop them with mayo, mustard, horseradish and pickled giardiniera relish. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

Vanilla-Butter Sugar Cookies

These are one of my favorite cookies to bake for Christmas. The dough recipe is versatile and you can use it for other holidays, too. Children like to help with decorating. —Cynthia Ettel, Glencoe, Minnesota

Gingered Citrus Punch

I enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes on my tasting panel of family and friends. This refreshing punch was a winner with my panel.—Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Herbed Leek Tarts

This savory, nontraditional tart is a favorite among our family and friends! —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin

Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

This festive Christmas tree is impressive, yet oh-so simple to put together. It's filled with creamy goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, so your guests are sure to love every bite.

Traditional Christmas Cheese Ball

You can throw this classic cheese ball together with just a few ingredients you probably already have on hand. Serve with Ritz crackers to enhance its savory flavor.

Cranberry Brie Bites

There's nothing like a puff pastry appetizer to get the party started in the most delicious way. The best part? These can be made at least three days ahead — so you'll have plenty of time to focus on the rest of your holiday dishes.

Mini Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tarts

With just six ingredients, these adorably bite-sized tarts are as easy to make as they are to eat. This recipe only makes eight tarts, so you may want to double or triple it if you're serving a crowd.

Holiday Hot Spinach Dip

When in doubt, a simple hot dip is always the perfect appetizer. Creamy, cheesy, and flavorful, this holiday recipe is easy to make in bulk.

Spinach and Ricotta Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

"This recipe was very easy and enjoyable to me and my guests liked it when it was served," says reviewer Karol Knoble. "It was fun to decorate too."

Easy Slow Cooker Ham

What's better than a holiday ham? A holiday ham that comes together in only two easy steps. If you're looking to spend your day outside of the kitchen, you'll love this perfect set-it-and-forget-it Christmas recipe.

With variety, flavor and a touch of class, these great Christmas buffet ideas will get you through your holiday party in style

With variety, flavor and a touch of class, these great Christmas buffet ideas will get you through your holiday party in style.

Appetizers & Small Plates: Tortilla Pinwheels

A friend gave me this recipe, and whenever I serve these tortilla roll ups, people ask me for the recipe, too! The cream cheese pinwheels can be made ahead of time and sliced just before serving, leaving you time for other last-minute party preparations. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Appetizers & Small Plates: Festive Wreath

I have lots of fun with this festive appetizer wreath. I often place a bowl of stuffed olives in the center. —Shirley Privratsky, Dickinson, North Dakota

Appetizers & Small Plates: Creole Scallop Cakes

Experimenting in the kitchen is a passion of mine...a passion I hope to pass along to my daughter. One day I had some scallops and decided to concoct a scallop cake instead of a crab cake. This scrumptious appetizer can be prepared ahead of time.

Appetizers & Small Plates: Festive Holiday Sliders

Turkey sliders with ginger, horseradish and cranberry sauce refrigerate well, so I keep them ready for get-togethers when we bake gifts and wrap presents. —Pamela Miller, Big Rapids, Michigan

Appetizers & Small Plates: Camembert & Cranberry Pizzas

Appetizer pizza takes several steps up in elegance with creamy Camembert cheese. The bright red color and tangy flavor of the cranberries make this a welcome addition to any holiday party. —Sue Sans, Buckeye, Arizona

Appetizers & Small Plates: Bacon-Wrapped Blue Cheese Shrimp

Blue cheese, bacon and basil pack big flavor into a couple of bites. To save time, you can assemble the skewers the night before and then serve them hot from the broiler on the day. —Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida