The Christmas Meal
 

I always say that this is the last year I'm doing this and I always get sucked into doing it again. I do love it though. The dau was going for all fancy, mess-up-the-kitchen kind of menu items, but I put my foot down. Everything is going in the oven this year. No mashed potatoes, just baked potatoes instead, no big trays of appetizers, I paid the huge price for See's chocolates (double the price from last year,) for the dessert table. make things ahead as much as possible and get her to bring some of the stuff. It will still be wonderful. We'll put out the fancy Christmas tablecloth and napkins, use Gramma's china, put some greens on the table. It'll be great. Here's what we're having:

• Roast beef
• Oyster stew
• Yorkshire puddings
• Gravy
• Roasted Cabbage and carrots
• Salad
• Roasted potatoes
• Rolls
• Butter
• horseradish
• cranberries
• salad
• almond cake with raspberry sauce

Yum! Our gathering will be small. We decided to use the turkey fryer to make fried shrimp and French fries. It will be 80 degrees on Christmas, so a nice day to be outside. Apple pie for dessert. On Christmas Eve, we gather at my cousin's home after church for Mexican food and a White Elephant exchange. I am bringing the pinto beans. I cook them in chicken broth instead of water. Others are making enchiladas, tortilla soup, tamales, etc.

Our menu for Christmas dinner:

Lasanga
Ceaser Salad
Bread-sticks brushed with melted butter and garlic powder (just like Olive Garden's)

Homemade Cheesecake

Hamburger gravy with mushrooms
instant mashed potatoes
Sliced carrots cooked with butter and brown sugar
Joe's coleslaw ( cabbage, onion, and hellmans mayo)
dill pickles
Pecan pie - store bought
rice Krispie bars
Whole milk for me
coffee for dh
Our guest will probably bring her own beverage

sounds humble - but it is food we all like.
And relatively easy to prepare

I intend to make enough so that there will be planned overs

I keep Christmas simple. We had a traditional Thanksgiving meal, with big turkey and many sides so no one wants to have their kitchen full of that planning again so soon. I do Christmas Day Night meal for my kids and grands. Then we open presents.
Roast beef in crock pot with gravy
mashes potatoes (Bob Evens) I detest peeling potatoes for more than two people.
Fresh pineapple
Carrots
Apple streusel

I always do simple also, Bear. It will just be the two of us. Husband is supposed to be buying the meat (although I haven't seen any come in the house yet). I'll fix a nice spinach salad with strawberries, glazed carrots, roasted potatoes and pecan pie bars for dessert. Easy peasy.

tropit, my Mom used to make Yorkshire pudding. It was marvelous! Your menu sounds wonderful. I'll be there haha

Ribs, sweet potatos, my special mixed veggies, cranberries, salad. My sister might make bread. Cherry pie/peach pie. And that will be enough! Have a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a wonderful 2026.

I’m asked to bring deviled eggs for Christmas Eve at our son’s house. Christmas Day I’ll be making potato soup and ham sandwiches for a few guests. Plus crackers, cheese, homemade summer sausage, and a veggie/dip platter. Finish with a light pie made with yogurt and jello.

We do snack party for Christmas: ham and croissants, BBQ Smokies, tortilla rollups, veggie tray and dip, nachos with sausage cheese dip, tossed salad, chicken enchillada dip. Ice cream and Christmas cookies for dessert.