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Christmas Dinner Plans?

post #1 of 43
Thread Starter 
Is it too soon to be planning? Good! Because it's planned!

DH's parents are coming down for Christmas dinner this year. And DH will go up to get my Mom and bring her down, too; if the weather holds, she said she'd come. This is not our year with the kids on Christmas, so we'll do that with them whenever they can come up, probably the Saturday after New Year and for that, I'm just doing appetizer-type foods, I think. Although our son is doing his darndest to talk me into making beef pot pie for them.

Crown Roast of Pork (ordered for pickup on Dec 22)
Crock Pot Stuffing (and right before the roast is ready, I'll pile stuffing into the roast)
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Sagaponek Corn Pudding (we didn't have it for Turkey Day and DH was very disappointed)
Asparagus with Leeks (for my mother)
Creamed Onions
Mandarin Orange and Pecan Salad
Iced Tea, Coffee, Wine
Tiramisu Cheesecake
White Coconut Layer Cake (I wasn't going to make another dessert, but Mom doesn't like cheesecake any more than I do, and I cannot let her go dessertless....not on Christmas! And besides, White Coconut Cake!!! )

My Christmas menu never really changes anymore. I used to make different things every year, but we've gotten to the point now where this is almost what's expected. The first thing my FIL asked when DH invited them to Christmas dinner was, "Is Pam making that corn? You know, with the cheese?" When DH said it was definitely on the menu, he said, "We'll be there!"

The only thing I have to worry about at this point is produce shopping. I finished up my grocery shopping for canned goods and such last night. I always try to divide my food for bigger dinners into 2 or 3 shopping trips, so it's not too expensive at one time. I also bought my ladyfingers, cheeses and the cream cheese last night b/c it's on sale this week.....geez, cream cheese has gotten expensive. I'll get the mascarpone cheese (for the Tiramisu Cheesecake) next Monday.

I love doing holiday dinners!
post #2 of 43
I want to come to your house for dinner. We have nothing planned. Neither one of us can cook. Take out it is, that is if we can find anything open.
post #3 of 43
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kailie View Post
I want to come to your house for dinner. We have nothing planned. Neither one of us can cook. Take out it is, that is if we can find anything open.
Sweetheart, ANY TIME! And I mean that! And you can even bring the Terrific Ten!
post #4 of 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kailie View Post
We have nothing planned. Neither one of us can cook. Take out it is, that is if we can find anything open.
Awwww

I entertained the family last year, so it's my sister's turn this year and then off to our nieces for tea
post #5 of 43
Wow! Sounds like a great dinner

We aren't having anything too elaborate.

-Turkey
-Stuffing
-veggies (mix)
-mashed potatoes
-all the yummy extras like cranberry sauce and pickles

and for dessert
-cheesecake
-crockpot pumpkin pie pudding
post #6 of 43
Let's see....we go to the in-laws for dinner on Christmas Eve, where we have beef burgundy on top of spaetzle with lots of side dishes. Mmmmmm!

Then on Christmas Day it's at my parents where we have a delicious roast marinated in burgundy (we like our burgundy around here, lol) with lots of yummy side dishes. I'm not sure what mom will ask us to bring for dinner, but it'll probably be potato salad and a pie.

Next year, since we'll have Amber, we'll be skipping out on the Christmas Eve festivities with the in-laws but doing something with them the evening of Christmas instead.
post #7 of 43
I am having dinner on Christmas day with my husbands family. We are either going to his aunts house or his moms house, I am not sure. Then on boxing day (Dec 26) we are having dinner with my family at my cousins house.
post #8 of 43
Now that I'm on my own I don't plan to cook.

My SO and I are invited to his daughter's for Christmas Eve and then to one of his son's for Christmas day. We are going to my nephew's with my husband's side of the family for our annual Christmas get-together on Boxing Day (26th). That's enough for this old gal!
post #9 of 43
DH has to work the 24th, 25th and 26th, so I'm just planning on having his parents over for dinner on Christmas Eve, for either ham or roast pork with potato salad, etc.. Nothing fancy.
post #10 of 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
DH has to work the 24th, 25th and 26th, so I'm just planning on having his parents over for dinner on Christmas Eve, for either ham or roast pork with potato salad, etc.. Nothing fancy.
It doesn't need to be fancy to be good! Do you make the hot potato salad? I got a recipe for it in an International Cooking course I took some years back and it apparently was German. I also like the red cabbage. My neighbour is German and she makes Rouladen - I'm hoping she shares.
post #11 of 43
I go to the mil for Christmas eve and we have finger food and wine then Christmas day I'm working the morning shift but I will be coming home to

Prawns cocktail for starters

Main will be
Roast turkey
Roast and boiled potatoes
Cauliflower and broccoli
Carrots and sprouts
Roast parsnips
Two types of stuffing
Cranberry and redcurrent jelly

Dessert Is sticky toffee pudding this year

Boxing day will involve me going to the pub where I work and have a drink it two with some of the regulars
post #12 of 43
It's just me and the husband, so I think we're going to have ham, baked mac & cheese, some kind of veggie, and homemade rolls. I'll probably bake a cherry pie for dessert.
post #13 of 43
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yosemite View Post
It doesn't need to be fancy to be good! Do you make the hot potato salad? I got a recipe for it in an International Cooking course I took some years back and it apparently was German. I also like the red cabbage. My neighbour is German and she makes Rouladen - I'm hoping she shares.
I agree! We are not gourmet or fancy cooks by any stretch. Very down home around here.

And I could use some Rouladen, too! And the red cabbage! Aw heck, I'll take some hot potato salad, while you're at it. Yum!
post #14 of 43
I'm excited for Xmas eve. Gonna have my uncle/aunt/cousins and my other uncle and my grandfather over. I don't get to see them all very often so it'll be nice. I am making chicken breast (breaded), home made baked mac/cheese (spicy and non spicy version), salad and they are bringing dessert. Though I am making a blueberry pie- I've been tinkering with a raw diet and they wanted to try my raw blueberry pie (its delicious!!!). Xmas day we are going to a friends house which should be fun. Lots of people and lots of food.
post #15 of 43
We're staying at home christmas day and we are having turkey and perhaps beef and all the trimmings. Boxing day we are having my mil and her hubby and youngest son, my mum and dad and my nana and grandad and I am just doing a buffet. x
post #16 of 43
I have 9 people for four nights this year, so I have to plan 3 lunches and dinners (we are going out the fourth night). They will expect French cooking for most of it,

I think it will be:

Christmas Eve

Curried pumpkin soup
Mixed fish platter with prawns, mussels, clams, smoked and poached salmon
Spinach and goat cheese salad
Dessert from SIL

Christmas day

Scallop consomme
Turkey with two stuffings
Bread sauce, cranberry sauce and giblet gravy
Roast and mash potatoes
Sprouts with chestnuts
Creamed broad beans
Roast parsnip and beetroot chips
Christmas pudding
Poached pears in red wine toffee sauce

Buffet meal for either lunch or supper with pates, hams and French style chocolate log cake.

Boxing Day

Lunch - poached salmon with salads

Dinner- starter tba
chicken and walnuts in white wine and cream sauce
mash of parsnips and potatoes
Green beans
lemon souffle

27th

Brunch - kedgeree plus salads

Dinner -RESTAURANT!!
post #17 of 43
WOW, some amazing menus planned here!

I don't have our menu yet, but it's going to be standard turkey dinner. ONE thing that's going to be different this year is that everyone is going to help - no more just me cooking in the kitchen for 5 hours while everybody else is relaxing, laughing, watching movies, and playing games!
post #18 of 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennyranson View Post
I have 9 people for four nights this year, so I have to plan 3 lunches and dinners (we are going out the fourth night). They will expect French cooking for most of it,

I think it will be:

Christmas Eve

Curried pumpkin soup
Mixed fish platter with prawns, mussels, clams, smoked and poached salmon
Spinach and goat cheese salad
Dessert from SIL

Christmas day

Scallop consomme
Turkey with two stuffings
Bread sauce, cranberry sauce and giblet gravy
Roast and mash potatoes
Sprouts with chestnuts
Creamed broad beans
Roast parsnip and beetroot chips
Christmas pudding
Poached pears in red wine toffee sauce

Buffet meal for either lunch or supper with pates, hams and French style chocolate log cake.

Boxing Day

Lunch - poached salmon with salads

Dinner- starter tba
chicken and walnuts in white wine and cream sauce
mash of parsnips and potatoes
Green beans
lemon souffle

27th

Brunch - kedgeree plus salads

Dinner -RESTAURANT!!
My goodness Jenny! It would be worth the fare to France to come to dinner.
post #19 of 43
I have no idea what chrismas dinner plans are yet!! All I know is BF invited 2 of our friends over, they've come over on Thanksgiving and Christmas the past few years since I moved to California, because none of us has any family here, so it's best to hang with good friends!

So... I guess we'll be having a nice big bad dinner. If so, the friends will have to bring the meat, I'll make the non-meat (probably Tofurky), BF will make the Yorkshire puddings (he's actually from Yorkshire, and makes really good ones!), and who knows what else we'll have. I'm sure we'll be opening a few christmas beers to share too. Yummy!

But not too many beers for me, I don't want to be hungover for my (30th) birthday the next day!!
post #20 of 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yosemite View Post
It doesn't need to be fancy to be good! Do you make the hot potato salad? I got a recipe for it in an International Cooking course I took some years back and it apparently was German. I also like the red cabbage. My neighbour is German and she makes Rouladen - I'm hoping she shares.
Usually I make hot German potato salad, but sometimes I get a yen for the kind with mayo. That's out for Xmas, though, as my f-i-l doesn't eat any dairy products. DH doesn't like poultry much, hence the ham or pork roast (I've got both in the freezer). He doesn't know it yet, but he's getting turkey legs, bread dumplings, cranberry sauce, etc., Christmas or Boxing Day, depending on whether there are leftovers from Christmas Eve. He got stuck cooking Christmas dinner last year because my arm was in a cast, thanks to Jamie Cat.
post #21 of 43
I'll be spending Christmas Day home alone with the furkids, so no big plans for a dinner. My mother refused to spend Christmas in the kitchen, so our family tradition was waffles for brunch, made by my father. Anything else you wanted to eat, you were on your own to find leftovers in the fridge.

Actually, I may get out the waffle iron and do waffles for myself. The kitties get an extra can of wet food to celebrate.
post #22 of 43
I have no clue what's being made. I only know that I'm not happy about the hour drive and then an hour and a half drive to my moms from there. Plus the persons house we are going to can't cook and I'm very unsure of the menu because she will probably do what she likes and not take other people into consideration.

Who wants to start the carpool to pams house?? I live really really really close to her so ill drive if you can make it to my house lol. We can leave the kitty munsters all at my house to terrorize franklin lol!!
post #23 of 43
Going to my parents house, now that my mother finally came to some senses and talked things out. I do look forward to going there for delicious meals.

Christmas dinner will be:
Eye round roast on the rotisserie in a red wine sauce
Green beans
Homemade mashed potatoes
Rolls or crusty bread
Salad
Wine

We thought about doing turkey or ham, but I LOVE eye round roast - my mouth is watering thinking about it!
post #24 of 43
We're going to my cousin's (dad's side of the family...I just met him for the first time this past May) house and having mexican food then on the 26th we do it all over again (mexican food and all) at my house with my mom and aunt. Taking a break from the inlaws this year They had us the past 2 years so that's ok...lol
post #25 of 43
Someone please tell me how exactly I got suckered into hosting Christmas day dinner at my apartment?!?! I think it's because it'll be the first year without my Nannie around and I really don't want a repeat of Thanksgiving where half of my family decided to be hermits and sulk- not what my grandmother would have wanted at all! I have no clue how I'm going to fit 20+ people if they all show, but I definitely know that I'll be telling everyone to BYOC!! (bring your own chair) While I'm sad that my sister Kimmy and her family that I'm super close to won't be around this Christmas (they're going to Pennsylvania to visit her in-laws), I'm happy that the rest of my family will be comming over.

So far my mom is bringing a honey baked ham (I'm already CRAVING this), my aunt is making her grape salad, and I'll be cooking the rest (everyone that comes is supposed to bring a side dish or dessert):

Christmas Dinner Menu:
My traditional meat/cheese lasagna (and a spinach lasagna if I have time!) - normally I would just do potatoes, salad, and bread with that, but since my mom's brining ham, I'll be making more side dishes so people can choose.

-Potato Salad (My Aunt Sylvia's Recipe was a huge hit at Thanksgiving, I'll make it again)
-Deviled Eggs (Maybe this time I'll master them hahahaha!)
-Pumpkin Fluff Dip & Gingersnaps
-Mandarian Walnut Salad w/ fresh fruit
-Homemade Hot Chocolate or Homemade Mulled Cider (not sure which yet)
-Lemon Herbed Garlic Mashed Potatoes
-Buttermilk Cornbread
-Pasta Salad (My preggo nieces practically ripped off my hand to get to the pasta salad I brought over last weekend when we decorated gingerbread houses...guess I'll make it again haha!)
-As far as the rest goes I was thinking maybe some Christmasy finger food snacks- chex mix, peppermint fudge, ranger cookies, who knows!!

As far as other desserts goes, my sister Monica's taking care of that! Her desserts are soooo good!

I'm not quite sure how I'll fit everyone into my tiny apartment, but I'm just happy that I'll get to host and celebrate if all goes well! I will definietly be cooking as much as I can Christmas Eve morning and the day before though since I'll be pressed for time. We're supposed to eat at Jack's grandparent's house after the service at church on Christmas Eve, then his parents are hosting a Christmas Day brunch, so I will be hosting my Christmas dinner after that is over with...the more I can do ahead of time, the better!
post #26 of 43
Well, it looks like I'll have to change my menu. My s-i-l is serving ham and potato salad on Christmas Day, so it'll be roast pork, homemade spätzle (Swabian noodles) and various salads here Christmas Eve. My f-i-l isn't happy about eating in a house where there are pets, but he'll just have to put up with a bit of cat hair!
post #27 of 43
Thread Starter 
Well, that settles it! I'm not making Christmas dinner this year. Instead, I'm going to France to jennyranson's, then to StarryEyedTiGeR's, then to jcat's, then to......

If I leave now, I might make it to everybody's place on time! With a bit of time travel assistance!

jcat, I don't mind cat hair one bit!
post #28 of 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miss Mew View Post
Wow! Sounds like a great dinner

We aren't having anything too elaborate.

-Turkey
-Stuffing
-veggies (mix)
-mashed potatoes
-all the yummy extras like cranberry sauce and pickles

and for dessert
-cheesecake
-crockpot pumpkin pie pudding


Thats bout what we have except we also have Christmas pudding and asst pies

This will be at DH parents on the 26th.... on xmas we just have something simple, a normal meal since we have the big one the next day.
post #29 of 43
We are going to the neighbor's on Xmas eve and I'm taking some slow roasted shortribs in a thick brown gravy. There will be roasted chicken, Iranian eggplant, rice, salad, desserts etc there as well that night.

On Xmas day itself, I will be cooking prime rib, a potato/spinach/artichoke lasagna, salad, peas and carrots, crescent rolls, and a lemon pudding cake for dessert.

I also have a party to cook for at another neighbor's on Sunday night. I'll be making queso with chips and a Kahlua chocolate cake with white chocolate ganache.

I also need to make a few loaves of sourdough bread for gifts.

Busy busy!
post #30 of 43
If the weather isn't nasty, going to the city to my cousin's for Christmas Eve supper - we don't do Christmas Day dinners, never did (hold-over from German traditions). I dont know what they are cooking, I just eat what is set in front of me, even if it is foul....er fowl food...er turkey. Christmas Day will be whatever hits the crock pot or frying pan.

StarryEyedTiGeR - here's a cheat for devilled eggs: mash the yolks with Kraft Sandwich Spread if you can get it, or with Miracle Whip, sweet relish, chopped celery and chopped onions of you can't. If you do the Miracle Whip, just slowly add the extras and keep tasting until it seems right. Pipe or spoon the mix back into the whites, sprinkle with paprika and serve
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