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Christmas dinner is the dinner of the of year I truly feel the magic of everyone coming together—sharing stories, laughter, and love over a table filled with delicious food. Whether it’s the one dish that brings back memories or the one recipe I look forward to every year, these moments mean everything to me. I’m so excited to help you create your own unforgettable Christmas dinner this year!

Tips for Making Christmas Dinner

1. Plan ahead. This goes without saying but worth repeating. A little planning goes a long way. Make a shopping list and prepare dishes in advance so you’re not scrambling on Christmas day.
2. Choose make-ahead recipes. When planning your Christmas dinner, choose some recipes that can be made a day or two ahead of time so you don’t feel like you’re in the kitchen all day. Some fantastic make-ahead dishes are soups and desserts.
3. Ask guests to contribute. Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to bring something or to come early to help with the cooking. This will take some pressure off of you and your guests will love contributing to the meal in this small way.
4. Consider dietary restrictions. Check with your guests ahead of time if they have any food sensitivities or follow a specific diet. Consider making a gluten-free and/or plant-based main course to satisfy everyone and check out this round up of vegetarian Christmas dinners for some tasty ideas.
5. Stay organized with cleanup. Clean as you go to avoid a huge pile of dishes at the end. Or better yet – do you have a friend who finds washing dishes therapeutic? She will love this task!
6. Balance your menu. Offer a variety of textures, flavors, and colors. Pair rich dishes with lighter, fresher sides to balance the meal, and don’t overdo it with too many heavy sides. Simple roast vegetables always keep things fresh.
7. Create a cozy environment. Set the mood with holiday music, candles, and a beautifully set table. It makes the meal feel extra special.

How to Plan Menu for Christmas Dinner

• Start with appetizers. Offer small bites to keep your guests happy as they mingle before the main meal. Appetizers can be light and festive, such as cheese boards, bruschetta, or shrimp cocktail.
• Decide on your main dish. This will be the highlight of the Christmas dinner. Some popular options are roasted turkey, leg of lamb, or prime rib. You can also go with a vegetarian main dish for a lighter meal.
• Choose your sides. Consider traditional Christmas sides like mashed potatoes and mac-n-cheese. Vegetable-based dishes like roasted Brussel sprouts, glazed carrots, or green beans are always a good option. Depending on how many people will be at your Christmas dinner, you’ll want to serve about 2 or 3 different side dishes.
• Add some freshness. Fresh green salads are a great way to balance out a Christmas dinner. Choose a salad or two that complements the rest of the dishes for the night and uses seasonal ingredients. Some excellent options are Caesar Brussel sprouts salad and roasted beet salad.
• Don’t forget the drinks. Depending on how many people you will have and if there will be children, I like to serve one rich drink like egg nog or hot chocolate bar and one lighter drink like a Christmas punch.
• Finish with dessert. Don’t forget to consider options for those with dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free or dairy-free desserts. Some great Christmas dinner finishers are seasonal pies like pecan or apple pie, and indulgent cakes such as gingerbread or chocolate olive oil cake.

Best Christmas Dinner Recipes

If you’re looking to serve traditional Christmas dinner this year, I have you covered. Whether you’re serving lamb, beef, or good old turkey, you’re in the right place because I’m also sharing delicious pairings to make it a complete and festive holiday dinner menu.

How To Keep Food Warm

• Oven: As long as you’re not cooking anything in the oven, you can set it to 200°F and store dishes in there to keep them warm.
• Aluminum Foil: If your oven is not free, you can simply use aluminum foil, which has reflective properties that protects the food from light and oxygen. The foil reflects the thermal energy back to the food which maintains the moisture, flavor and texture.
• Crock Pots and Instant Pots: Think of recipes that can be made in your crock pot or instant pot that will keep warm during the party. You can even use them to keep foods warm even if you don’t cook in them.
• Insulated coolers: You can use a cooler to keep food hot as well as cold. The insulation technology that keeps out the heat to maintain cold foods also works to trap heat in and keep food hot for hours at a time. You can even line the cooler with aluminum foil for even better results.

How To Store All the Leftovers

• Follow the recipe instructions. Some dishes require refrigeration immediately, while others can be safely stored at room temperature. It’s always a great idea to check the recommended storage instructions in the individual recipe post to maintain food safety and freshness.
• Divide into smaller portions. That way, you’ll have ready-to-go individual servings that can be easily reheated in the future.
• Store wet and dry foods separately. If possible, keep the wet foods separate from the dry ingredients. Serve salad dressing on the side so that if there are any leftovers, it won’t go to waste.
• Freeze for longer storage. Following the individual recipe recommendations, many recipes are freezer-friendly, especially the meats and some veggies. This provides the convenience of having ready-made meals on hand for busy weeknights.
• Pack a complete meal for your guests. I like to use to-go containers with compartments and make a complete meal for my guests to take home with them. This way, they can enjoy a little bit of all our favorite Christmas dinner recipes when they’re home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipes cards to take you directly to those recipes.

For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Christmas Cookie Recipes, Best Potato Side Dishes, Cozy Winter Recipes, and Easy & Festive New Years Recipes.

If you found this recipe roundup for Christmas Dinner Recipes helpful or if you try any recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipes! It helps others who are thinking of trying out this tutorial and we would love to hear about your experience. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!