We are invited to a friends house for Christmas Eve dinner which will be an Italian dinner with Lasagne and Caesar Salad. Don't know what the dessert will be.
Then on Christmas day, we are invited to another friends house for dinner. I asked her what I can bring, and she said, "nothing. I'm getting take-out from a nice Chinese restaurant if it is open." I've never had Chinese for Christmas dinner, but will this year! Beats cooking!
For New Year's Day, I plan to bake a ham, prepare potato salad, baked beans, and the usual dishes that are supposed to bring good luck: black eyed peas with ham hock, steamed cabbage with bacon and onions in it. If we have guests, I may whip up a Banana Pudding from my Mother's recipe.
I just read several other foods listed to bring good luck in the new year include long noodles, pomegranates, greens, fish, 12 grapes, ring-shaped food (like a donut or bagel), pork, lentils.