Christmas Eve/Christmas Day menus

[L&Lfan]

Christmas Eve menu depends on which Mass my partner and I are attending. For Christmas Day we do a combination of USA (some form of beef) and Puerto Rican traditions.

 

[aprilgail]

Christmas eve I typically am working until evening (toy charity- some people wait until last minute to call for help....I mean don't you realize on Dec 20th that you have no toys for your kids for Christmas??) So that evening we do appetizers and open all the gifts. Christmas day this year we are going out to Gasho of Japan for hibachi-

 

[PollyannaMom]

My mom always used to make homemade split pea soup for Christmas Eve when I was little. I loved it, but DH and DS won't touch it, so I haven't carried that tradition on. I do still make the shrimp appetizer she did.

We don't have a set plan for the main part of the Christmas Eve meal, as things have cycled over the years from neighborhood potlucks when DS was was little, to late, easy dinners when he was doing choir, to "anything goes" lately. I'm actually thinking of adopting one of the traditions from this thread.

Christmas morning is always cinnamon rolls!

And Christmas day is whatever MIL wants to make. Usually she does ham, occasionally turkey, and sometimes DH's aunt makes homemade ravioli! It varies year to year, and I just go with the flow, bring my cheese ball appetizer and whatever side she asks me to make, and enjoy the day.

 

[quandrea]

My mom always used to make homemade split pea soup for Christmas Eve when I was little. I loved it, but DH and DS won't touch it, so I haven't carried that tradition on. I do still make the shrimp appetizer she did.

We don't have a set plan for the main part of the Christmas Eve meal, as things have cycled over the years from neighborhood potlucks when DS was was little, to late, easy dinners when he was doing choir, to "anything goes" lately. I'm actually thinking of adopting one of the traditions from this thread.

Christmas morning is always cinnamon rolls!

And Christmas day is whatever MIL wants to make. Usually she does ham, occasionally turkey, and sometimes DH's aunt makes homemade ravioli! It varies year to year, and I just go with the flow, bring my cheese ball appetizer and whatever side she asks me to make, and enjoy the day.

That’s why I love this thread every year. Lots of ideas. I think I’m going with enchiladas. They won’t take too long to cook after church. I love enchiladas but haven’t had them in years. Cinnamon rolls have been my Christmas breakfast since dh and I shared our first Christmas 19 years ago.

 

[ronandannette]

...Christmas morning is always cinnamon rolls!...

Here too. I use Poppin' Fresh and bake them in the shape of a tree, then tint the icing green and throw some sprinkles on. I am not ashamed. (Not quite sure why that product is still on the shelves when I'm the only person in the world that admits to using it!)

 

[LilyWDW]

Christmas Eve is usually lasagna, alfredo, salad, and breadsticks from Olive Garden with whatever desserts random members of the family bring.

Christmas morning will be sausage balls and either cinnamon rolls or biscuits while watching the Disney "parade" before I go to my aunt and uncle's.

Christmas dinner is usually a beef roast and turkey with all sorts of sides.

 

[dotfurio]

Christmas Eve is always appetizers as we open gifts. Generally that includes a veggie tray, little smokies in a blanket, a couple others (things we want to try from pinterest), and Christmas cookies.

I haven't worked out everything for Christmas day, but for sure ham, pineapple casserole, cheesy potatoes (a sweet potato for me), and I'm not sure what for veggies, salad, or dessert.

 

[powellrj]

Christmas eve I have no idea what we are doing because I still haven't found out who will be here, or how many. It could be just DH and I when he gets off work.

Christmas day we will go to DS and DDILs for breakfast and watch the kids open gifts and then we will go to our house for turkey and the works.

 

[nikkistevej]

I'm so sorry. I'm in a similar situation. This is the first year I'm not sure my dad will know it's Christmas. I'm trying to pull off "normal" but nothing about it feels normal. He lives at home but I know it's the last year for that, too. It's been a difficult year. I wanted to say that I didn't "like" your post but I did like it because I understand.

I appreciate it. Yes, it's been a tough year. She had to go into a home, as we were dealing with safety and sanitary type issues. I feel better she's in a safe place, but really hard. I'm sorry you are going through it too. No one should have to.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Christmas is the traditional Puerto Rican dinner. Rice with pigeon peas, roast pork and pasteles. With lots of Coquito (coconut rum drink).

My SO's family does more of a buffet type thing. Everyone brings a dish. The moms/aunts/grandmas bring more traditional central american foods and the "kids" bring more American foods. We go over there a bit later. It's an all night party. Opening gifts at midnight and home by 2-3 am.

Christmas Day we sleep in and eat leftovers. My kids usually go their dads around 3 pm and if my SO and I are still hungry and are out of leftovers we order Chinese.

 

[quandrea]

Settled our Christmas Eve menu.

Cooks illustrated Mexican Rice
Refried beans
Green enchiladas
Christmas cookies and peppermint ice cream.


Really looking forward to this! Thanks to everyone who chimed in with their ideas.

Dh says we need appetisers. Agh. Back to the drawing board!

 

[pigletgirl]

Well, we'll go to church on the 23rd (saturday night), and then go out to dinner afterwards. For Christmas eve, my family will be here, so we're doing our traditional french onion soup, crusty bread, and salad. After the girls are put in bed, we'll pull out some more apps and drinks for those who can drink and finish off the festivities before Santa comes.

Christmas Day, we'll have an egg casserole (I haven't found one I love just yet), cranberry orange scones, and a fruit salad. We're doing a pasta dinner this year with various types of sauces, bread, and salad. I'm thinking of picking up a pumpkin and peppermint cheesecake for dessert.

I'm slowly rising from the dead from my morning sickness and I'm making it as easy as possible this year. I've had a horrible aversion to beef, hence is the reason why we won't be doing our traditional beef tenderloin and yorkshire pudding this year.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

Take out catering from http://www.psghettis.com/

We do not cook much if anything at all on Christmas. Kids are busy with their new gadgets. Parents want to relax.

 

[sk!mom]

Here too. I use Poppin' Fresh and bake them in the shape of a tree, then tint the icing green and throw some sprinkles on. I am not ashamed. (Not quite sure why that product is still on the shelves when I'm the only person in the world that admits to using it!)

Ha! Pillsbury canned cinnamon rolls are a holiday staple around here. I have a friend who sometimes makes and sells pans of homemade around a holiday and when she does I buy them, otherwise Poppin' Fresh it is. Homemade is way too ambitious for me.

 

[AustinTink]

I usually cook Mexican food on Christmas Eve: Carne guisada, enchiladas, tamales and all the sides. BUT... last year my FIL ate so much he was sick all day on Christmas. The rest of us paced ourselves and had no issues on Christmas day. So, this year there will be no Mexican food. I'm going traditional with Ham, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, homemade rolls, etc.

Christmas brunch is always a variety of kolaches, both sweet and savory, along with fruit, eggs, Wassail, etc. Then for dinner we have tickets to see STAR WARS at one of our local dine-in movie theaters.

 

[ols386]

Christmas Eve is always appetizers as we open gifts. Generally that includes a veggie tray, little smokies in a blanket, a couple others (things we want to try from pinterest), and Christmas cookies.

I haven't worked out everything for Christmas day, but for sure ham, pineapple casserole, cheesy potatoes (a sweet potato for me), and I'm not sure what for veggies, salad, or dessert.

It ALL sounds delicious. Was wondering how do you make pineapple casserole?

 

[dotfurio]

It ALL sounds delicious. Was wondering how do you make pineapple casserole?

This is the recipe I use. I thought it sounded awful until we tried it - works really well with ham. It's a Paula Deen recipe so packed with butter and sugar.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/...le-recipe-1914797?soc=socialsharingpinterest#!

 

[Snowflakey]

This is the recipe I use. I thought it sounded awful until we tried it - works really well with ham. It's a Paula Deen recipe so packed with butter and sugar.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/...le-recipe-1914797?soc=socialsharingpinterest#!

OMG YOU GUYS - I have SUCH A BETTER recipe for pineapple stuffing! I have to say that has been the one recipe that has been the biggest hit with people who have never had it before. I usually make it at Easter with ham. It's so darn good! Lots of butter, sugar and eggs so its a once a year treat

 

[quandrea]

I usually cook Mexican food on Christmas Eve: Carne guisada, enchiladas, tamales and all the sides. BUT... last year my FIL ate so much he was sick all day on Christmas. The rest of us paced ourselves and had no issues on Christmas day. So, this year there will be no Mexican food. I'm going traditional with Ham, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, homemade rolls, etc.

Christmas brunch is always a variety of kolaches, both sweet and savory, along with fruit, eggs, Wassail, etc. Then for dinner we have tickets to see STAR WARS at one of our local dine-in movie theaters.

That sounds awesome! I’d love to be heading to Star Wars in Christmas Day.

 

[quandrea]

OMG YOU GUYS - I have SUCH A BETTER recipe for pineapple stuffing! I have to say that has been the one recipe that has been the biggest hit with people who have never had it before. I usually make it at Easter with ham. It's so darn good! Lots of butter, sugar and eggs so its a once a year treat

Will you share?