What are you making for Christmas Eve Dinner?

[louey]

We are going out to dinner Xmas Eve with Family to celebrate Christmas and my Birthday. Its a Biggie birthday I will be turning ?! so normally I have everyone over for Xmas dinner but told them last year I wouldn't be cooking this year. Every year I am out at the grocery store and cleaning on my birthday to get ready for the 25th so this year I will be waited on can't wait I have tried to change the date of my birthday to Aug. 24th and actually have a friend who still mails me a Birthday card in August
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year everyone

 

[beansmom]

we're the appetizer folks, too.

this year we're having mulled mead from Bunratty Castle in Ireland (the same mead at the F&W festival this year) as a wonderful remembrance of our trip to Ireland this year.

so far we're having mac/cheese bites--yeah, that's all i have figured out so far.

we have no kids with us so we'll eat, drink and watch a xmas movie, too. Or play a game. Not sure yet.

 

[disney1990]

Not sure yet - Pizza, Chinese or perhaps a restaurant. I have to work "retail" until 7:00 that night.

Last year we met up with our daughters and their families and went to a restaurant - everybody wore their pajamas. Why, because the restaurant let all the employees wear their pajamas that day. It was a lot of fun. Both of our daughters have to work Christmas Eve night this year - one a 12 hour shift at a restaurant and the other works and live 2 hours away.

We greatly over tip on days such as this.

 

[pjlla]

So many great ideas and traditions.... but I still don't have an idea for my family.

Here are the challenges....

we (DH, myself, two kids) never developed our own Christmas Eve tradition because DH works in management for "big brown" and when the kids were younger Christmas eve would find him sound asleep (if he was even home) on the sofa in his smelly brown uniform (virtually EVERYONE moves packages at Christmas time if you work for brown). THe kids and I would have a "normal" dinner and eat some cookies and egg nog as we left them out for Santa. That was about the full extent of our tradition. We also live 2+ hours away from any family and always wanted the kids to be able to wake up at home on Christmas morning, so we didn't visit family.

When DH's job changed up a few years we were able to start some of our own Christmas Eve traditions. We started inviting my parents to come stay over with us, for one thing. And we started having our "big" Christmas meal on Christmas eve. But we have only done this for about 3 years now, so we haven't really settled into a specific dinner routine.

Here are the food limitations.....

no seafood (DD has schooled us in how significantly over-fishing is affecting the oceans).

no poultry (DS is allergic) so no chicken, turkey, duck, or goose.

no lamb or veal (for ethical reasons).

DH eats very low carb, but is willing to "splurge" this year... but spaghetti seems so hum-drum and the kids don't like lasagna.

My Dad wouldn't think of it as a "real meal" if we did just apps and snacks and cocktails, so it has to be a sit-down type of meal.

I've done a ham, I've done prime rib (it was delicious but I was really afraid I would ruin a VERY expensive cut of meat), and I can't even remember what else we did. In 2010 DH was just out of the hospital recovering from a very bad accident, so I think my Mom brought dinner with her that year.

We have no specific cultural traditions... DH is Swedish, I am Scotch/English.

ANY SUGGESTIONS???? (Keeping in mind I am not a great cook!).........P

 

[Egdisney]

So many great ideas and traditions.... but I still don't have an idea for my family. Here are the challenges.... we (DH, myself, two kids) never developed our own Christmas Eve tradition because DH works in management for "big brown" and when the kids were younger Christmas eve would find him sound asleep (if he was even home) on the sofa in his smelly brown uniform (virtually EVERYONE moves packages at Christmas time if you work for brown). THe kids and I would have a "normal" dinner and eat some cookies and egg nog as we left them out for Santa. That was about the full extent of our tradition. We also live 2+ hours away from any family and always wanted the kids to be able to wake up at home on Christmas morning, so we didn't visit family. When DH's job changed up a few years we were able to start some of our own Christmas Eve traditions. We started inviting my parents to come stay over with us, for one thing. And we started having our "big" Christmas meal on Christmas eve. But we have only done this for about 3 years now, so we haven't really settled into a specific dinner routine. Here are the food limitations..... no seafood (DD has schooled us in how significantly over-fishing is affecting the oceans). no poultry (DS is allergic) so no chicken, turkey, duck, or goose. no lamb or veal (for ethical reasons). DH eats very low carb, but is willing to "splurge" this year... but spaghetti seems so hum-drum and the kids don't like lasagna. My Dad wouldn't think of it as a "real meal" if we did just apps and snacks and cocktails, so it has to be a sit-down type of meal. I've done a ham, I've done prime rib (it was delicious but I was really afraid I would ruin a VERY expensive cut of meat), and I can't even remember what else we did. In 2010 DH was just out of the hospital recovering from a very bad accident, so I think my Mom brought dinner with her that year. We have no specific cultural traditions... DH is Swedish, I am Scotch/English. ANY SUGGESTIONS???? (Keeping in mind I am not a great cook!).........P

We often have roast at Christmas. I am in the same spot you are. We have no real tradition since we moved too far to see family easily(3.5hrs). I am trying to set traditions at our house too. We have decided on Chinese buffet for Christmas lunch. I haven't the faintest for Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner. Couldn't tell you what we had for either last year. I cook a full thanksgiving dinner for just us, it is way too much work and I will not repeat it more than once a year! Some sort of soup might be nice. My extended family would have my grandmas famous egg salad sandwiches on Christmas Eve along with other assorted sandwiches, appetizers and a soup. Christmas was a repeat of thanksgiving and I am not interested in either.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

So many great ideas and traditions.... but I still don't have an idea for my family.

We have no specific cultural traditions... DH is Swedish, I am Scotch/English.

ANY SUGGESTIONS???? (Keeping in mind I am not a great cook!).........P

First thing that came to mind.......homemade personal pizzas (everyone can dress their own, just like they want it ) and a create-your-own sundae bar for dessert. Add in a fruit tray and a veggie tray to round things out.

 

[ashley0139]

We do (I say "we," but my mom does most of the cooking) the Italian thing - no meat on Christmas eve, only seafood. Christmas Even is our "big" formal meal. Several courses including shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers, soup, stuffed shrimp, seafood pasta, and lobster tails.

I am salivating just thinking about it. I can't wait.

 

[powellrj]

Most of my family usually has to work on Christmas Eve, so we have always done quick and easy. My favorite was when we would do steaks on the grill. Nothing like standing outside in a foot of snow grilling!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

So many great ideas and traditions.... but I still don't have an idea for my family.

Here are the challenges....

we (DH, myself, two kids) never developed our own Christmas Eve tradition because DH works in management for "big brown" and when the kids were younger Christmas eve would find him sound asleep (if he was even home) on the sofa in his smelly brown uniform (virtually EVERYONE moves packages at Christmas time if you work for brown). THe kids and I would have a "normal" dinner and eat some cookies and egg nog as we left them out for Santa. That was about the full extent of our tradition. We also live 2+ hours away from any family and always wanted the kids to be able to wake up at home on Christmas morning, so we didn't visit family.

When DH's job changed up a few years we were able to start some of our own Christmas Eve traditions. We started inviting my parents to come stay over with us, for one thing. And we started having our "big" Christmas meal on Christmas eve. But we have only done this for about 3 years now, so we haven't really settled into a specific dinner routine.

Here are the food limitations.....

no seafood (DD has schooled us in how significantly over-fishing is affecting the oceans).

no poultry (DS is allergic) so no chicken, turkey, duck, or goose.

no lamb or veal (for ethical reasons).

DH eats very low carb, but is willing to "splurge" this year... but spaghetti seems so hum-drum and the kids don't like lasagna.

My Dad wouldn't think of it as a "real meal" if we did just apps and snacks and cocktails, so it has to be a sit-down type of meal.

I've done a ham, I've done prime rib (it was delicious but I was really afraid I would ruin a VERY expensive cut of meat), and I can't even remember what else we did. In 2010 DH was just out of the hospital recovering from a very bad accident, so I think my Mom brought dinner with her that year.

We have no specific cultural traditions... DH is Swedish, I am Scotch/English.

ANY SUGGESTIONS???? (Keeping in mind I am not a great cook!).........P

Tell your dad to suck it up and do appetizers! Surely he would not complain. I mean, did he raise his hand and say he was going to cook?

 

[disneychrista]

Nothing Special. We only do Christmas Breakfast & Dinner. Nothing on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Breakfast - Asst. Donuts, Apple Fritters. Bacon & maybe hasbrowns.

Dinner - usually Roast Beef, Roasted Potatoes, Veggie, Rolls.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Christmas Eve We go to dh's nanas house and she makes pork tamales and menudo, dh's mom takes cheese and chile tamales and macaroni salad , cousin makes a ham, Bil takes the sodas and I take
All the goodies
-white chocolate covered popcorn
- homemade cookies
- candy
- some type if treat

This year I will make chocolate covered popcorn( super easy and popular)
-cakepops
-sugar cookies with royal icing
-chocolates covered Oreos
-buckeyes ( will be my 1st time)
- need one more treat idea or I'll make mini brownies

Christmas Day dh, dd and I just stay home and relax. This year I was thinking if making a ham and inviting dh's cousin over

 

[sparkyboy]

this will be the first year that I'm not cooking for either Christmas eve or Christmas day. Will do some apps and egg nog and bubbly.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I like to make a big pot roast with lots of potatoes, carrots, and onions, with rolls and salad as the appetizer. Then, I like to use the leftover beef for sandwiches on Christmas day.

I don't think it's in the budget this year, but it might still be possible.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I like to make a big pot roast with lots of potatoes, carrots, and onions, with rolls and salad as the appetizer. Then, I like to use the leftover beef for sandwiches on Christmas day.

I don't think it's in the budget this year, but it might still be possible.

I have never made a pot roast, is it particularly expensive meat? I have never looked at the price before....is the meat labeled as pot roast or chuck roast or something else? Thanks!

 

[GinaBean]

We will have lasagna, salad, and bread. Oh, and cake.

 

[tina.tina]

I highly recommend Sam's Club's pepper-jack bacon-wrapped shrimp but they are very spicy.

My parents have a sort of open house with a buffet of appetizers and desserts on Christmas Eve. We all bring things but my mom always cooks like no one else is bringing anything. We also have a meal at lunch time on Christmas Day with baked ham.

DH is an only child. His parents' families have drifted apart since the grandparents passed away. Last year, we went to Cracker Barrel for brunch with DH's parents on Christmas Eve and I hope this will be our new tradition with them. DH's mom doesn't enjoy cooking. We will also visit them on Christmas night when she usually has a combo of purchased deli food, frozen food, and stuff left over from the dinner at their church. It's kind of interesting and she never wants me to bring anything. I usually end up taking a new recipe that I've wanted to try or a sample of something my mom or sisters made that I think they'll like.

We are going out to dinner Xmas Eve with Family to celebrate Christmas and my Birthday. Its a Biggie birthday I will be turning ?! so normally I have everyone over for Xmas dinner but told them last year I wouldn't be cooking this year. Every year I am out at the grocery store and cleaning on my birthday to get ready for the 25th so this year I will be waited on can't wait I have tried to change the date of my birthday to Aug. 24th and actually have a friend who still mails me a Birthday card in August
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year everyone

Happy Birthday!!!!

This reminds me of when my daughter Gracie tried to change her name to Rose. She was 4 and attended the same preschool as the son of the receptionist at the pediatrician's office. The receptionist called her Rose every time she came in to the doctor's office and Gracie would smile from ear to ear.

My Dad's birthday is the day after Christmas but I think yours is worse.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I have never made a pot roast, is it particularly expensive meat? I have never looked at the price before....is the meat labeled as pot roast or chuck roast or something else? Thanks!

Yes, I usually use a chuck roast, and I know they're not that expensive, but our budget is very very tight right now. Plus, I like to get an extra big one or maybe even two, because we'll have six big meat eaters here and then want enough left over for sandwiches on Christmas Day.

I'll have to look at the grocery budget again. There may be enough.

 

[Aryn]

Christmas eve we have a party that we go to every year for the past 26 years so I hope that is still on. One of the hosts has cancer and has surgery on the 20th. So I have no idea what we will do if that is cancelled. Christmas day we get doughnuts from a place that we only really go to this one time a year, and we will have the regular stuff, eggs ,bacon, waffles etc...
For dinner this year I really don't want to cook so I think we are going graze all day. I am doing pulled pork in the crockpot and various apps, fruit and veg. I bought my DH really expensive Scotch so I hope he will share in the evening.

 

[pjlla]

First thing that came to mind.......homemade personal pizzas (everyone can dress their own, just like they want it ) and a create-your-own sundae bar for dessert. Add in a fruit tray and a veggie tray to round things out.

Great suggestions, but that is, in fact, what we do for Christmas day! We have a big breakfast about 9 am and then MYO pizzas and salad in the mid-afternoon and then desserts later in the evening. Sometimes sundaes, sometimes baked goods. So great suggestion! I like doing that on Christmas day because that is my "relaxing day". I hate cooking and I don't want to take time from my relaxing day with family to be in the kitchen too much. Hence, our big holiday meal is Christmas Eve.

Tell your dad to suck it up and do appetizers! Surely he would not complain. I mean, did he raise his hand and say he was going to cook?

I know. I should just tell him it is a "munchies" night... but by about 6 pm he'd be in the kitchen, rifling through my fridge, making himself a sandwich and grumbling (just a bit). And I don't make a big meal the next day, so this is my big concession to Christmas cooking ( I don't bake cookies, I don't make pie.... I HATE cooking and DESPISE baking!).

Thanks for the suggestions!............P

 

[FINFAN]

Now, that's worth staying home for! I may have to do that!

It's the best...fast, yummy and a special treat. Nice red color is festive too, lol.
I already bought the stash, filled my bottom basket in the freezer. Christmas Eve I usually go to the mall and just do random nice things, open doors, help someone to their car, start up a conversation while sitting taking a break, whatever~ I don't shop, just take in the chaos and fun people are having. .then I get DH and the "kids" (19 and 23) head out to donate to random Salvation Army buckets. It's fun, each gets a turn to yell random directions and the first bell ringer we see is our spot to give. Then home to make the crab After we have made gluttons of ourselves we drove around and look at holiday lights and then watch A Christmas Story (we know we will catch it since it runs 24 hours )
Go get some crab...our market had it for $6 a pound - nice big clusters! Maybe it's on sale by you too!