The Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Guide for This Christmas Season
One of the best parts of the Christmas season is coming together with family and friends. Holiday entertaining can be fun and festive, but can also be overwhelming and stressful. Don’t let the chaos of hosting a Christmas party take away your holiday cheer.
Our ultimate holiday entertaining guide will make sure you’re staying on track this Christmas season as we provide you with traditional and unique Christmas dinner ideas alike. From appetizers to dessert, we have it all and we’re ready to help you deck the halls with the best recipes around.
Christmas Dinner Appetizers
While often overlooked, Christmas dinner appetizers play a key role in holiday entertaining. They’re the first impressions for your guests, so make sure your appetizers leave them wanting more. Here are some delicious snacks that will set the tone for the night before your main courses are served.
Smoked Florida Mullet Spread
This classic fish dip is the perfect appetizer for the holidays. Paired with crackers, pita chips, or bread, smoked Florida mullet spread is a delicious way to indulge your guests before the main course. Read the full recipe for smoked Florida mullet spread here to begin cooking.
Mini Cheese Truffles
This easy and delicious recipe is a classic favorite. You can experiment with a variety of cheeses and seasonings to find the perfect blend for you. Each truffle contains enough cheese for three crackers. See the full recipe for mini cheese truffles here!
Sensational Spring Rolls
These crunchy and savory spring rolls are the perfect finger foods for your guests to pick at while you’re preparing the main course. Filled with veggies, Chinese cabbage, and seasonings, these will keep people satisfied but still leave room for dinner. Read the full recipe for sensational spring rolls here.
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
These bacon-wrapped scallops are a classic combination of crisp and juicy, marinated in Asian-inspired soy sauce and orange juice marinade and then broiled to perfection. See the full recipe for bacon-wrapped scallops to try this traditional treat.
Christmas Main Course Ideas
The Christmas main course is the main event of holiday entertaining, so you’ll want to make sure you exceed expectations. There are a few staple dishes that people love to serve during the festive season, but you can still get creative with your recipes. From rib roast to ham, we’ve put together an array of dishes that will make your meal memorable.
Beef Rib Roast with Red Wine-Cherry Sauce
You can impress your guests with this French-inspired recipe using beef rib roast. It’s perfect for Christmas dinner and will undoubtedly leave everyone craving more. This flavorful dish can be paired with a variety of sides and drinks. See the full recipe for beef rib roast with red wine-cherry sauce here to try it out this season!
Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary
This gourmet leg of lamb recipe is the perfect way to give your guests a dinner they’ll never forget. Even though it may seem complicated, this recipe is easy to follow and once you make it once you’ll definitely want to make it again. Read the full recipe for the leg of lamb with garlic and rosemary and start cooking!
Holiday Turkey with Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
One of the most classic dinners for the holidays is the traditional turkey. Bring the timeless recipe to the next level with the addition of this cranberry pecan stuffing. Comforting and delicious, this recipe will feel like being home for the holidays. Start preparing your dinner by reading the full holiday turkey with cranberry pecan stuffing here.
Bourbon Cinnamon Glazed Ham
Sweet and savory, this bourbon cinnamon glazed ham gives you a chance to get creative with a standard Christmas dish. The glaze, made of brown sugar and bourbon, makes a beautiful crust coating on the baked ham. Give your guests a festive dinner that leaves a lasting impression. See the full recipe for bourbon cinnamon glazed ham here!
Christmas Dinner Sides for Holiday Entertaining
The main course is important, but the sides make all of your holiday entertaining efforts complete. While there are so many choices, we’ve gathered some unique but delicious options to spark your imagination.
Havarti Reuben Potato Casserole
This side dish is the definition of comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, and filling, it will warm you up and keep you coming back for more. The addition of sauerkraut and corned beef brings the dish to a whole new level. Read the full Havarti Reuben potato casserole recipe to start planning your Christmas dinner side dishes!
Green Beans in Creamy Parmesan Sauce
Dress up an average vegetable with a creamy garlic sauce, bacon bits, and parmesan cheese. This recipe will keep your guests warm and satisfied this holiday season. See the green beans in creamy parmesan sauce recipe here!
Roasted Root Vegetables
These roasted root vegetables give you your daily dose of veggies in a traditional, but delicious fashion. Even holiday dinners require vegetables, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy every bite. Roasting vegetables makes them crispy and addicting, adding a new taste to your main Christmas dish. Find the full roasted root vegetable recipe here to begin cooking!
Mushroom Cornbread Stuffing
It wouldn’t be a traditional holiday dinner without stuffing. Try straying from your usual stuffing recipes with this unique mushroom cornbread stuffing. Mixing mushrooms into this dish gives it a whole new flavor that’s guaranteed to satisfy your guests. See the full mushroom cornbread stuffing recipe here to try it!
Traditional Christmas Desserts with a Twist
Desserts are the final and possibly the most fun piece of Christmas dinner. Make sure your guests leave room for a spread of traditional Christmas desserts with a little twist. The staple desserts are always great, but you can also spice things up by adding a few more ingredients to keep things interesting. Here are some delicious choices for you to improve your dessert table.
Caramel Apple Pie
Apple pie is one of the most popular desserts to present during the holiday season. Stand out to your guests by adding caramel into your pie to make it taste even sweeter. A timeless combination of flavors will make sure people are coming back for seconds. Read the full caramel apple pie recipe here and start preparing!
Citrus Bars with Shortbread Crust
We love traditional Christmas cookies, but these citrus bars with shortbread crust will add a refreshing flavor to your dessert table. Indulge in the delicious mix of tangy and sweet with these bite-sized bars. Easy to make and addicting to eat, you can see the full citrus bars with shortbread crust recipe here and try it out today!
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake
Not only does it incorporate festive Christmas colors, but this red velvet cheesecake cake is proven to be as good as it looks. A thick, creamy cheesecake filling matched with a moist delectable cake makes for the perfect holiday dessert. Impress your guests with a gorgeous presentation and an even better taste! See the full red velvet cheesecake cake recipe here!
Berries and Cream Smooth Trifle
Bring berries back for the holidays with this berry and cream smooth trifle. Satisfyingly sweet and light, a berry trifle is a simple and easy way to exceed expectations this Christmas. The presentation is beautiful and it’ll leave your taste buds craving more. Read the full berries and cream smooth trifle recipe here to make it today!
It’s never too early to start planning your Christmas dinner! Check out our fresh foods section to gain more inspiration and discover delicious recipes today.