I unabashedly love everything about the holiday season. I deck my halls like Buddy the Elf, watch the same 10 Christmas movies every year and load up my plate (er, plates) with traditional Christmas foods like it’s my last meal. As soon as my local grocery store sets out their annual stock of Christmas goodies, you can find me filling my cart like Julia Child on Supermarket Sweep. And in the United States, we’ve definitely got our favorites. According to a 2020 survey, turkey’s the star for 73% of us, with prime rib (69%), roast beef (66%), steak (65%), chicken (64%), roast pork (64%) and ham (62%) also popular contenders. For sides, we love sweet potatoes (61%), macaroni and cheese (61%), scalloped potatoes (61%), green beans (58%) and of course, some kind of cheese (57%).
Christmas dinner traditions around the world often look a little different, in accordance with a rich variety of cultures. In Italy, seven fishes often grace their table and Puerto Rican and Filipino nochebuena celebrations often center around a whole roast suckling pig called lechon, while Sweden serves an array of pickled herring, cured salmon, meatballs, paté and sides called the julbord. And in Japan, the colonel comes to dinner with KFC fried chicken as a traditional merry meal. Venezuelans often wrap up hallecas, a sort of tamale nestled in banana leaves, which doubles as a family activity. And because it’s summer in Australia on Christmas, they’ll often throw some shrimp or other seafood on the barbie.
If you’re looking to fill your table with favorites this holiday season, allow me to share my highly opinionated, completely unscientific Christmas food list, in order from the treats I’ll pile high at the buffet table to those I’ll happily let the next person enjoy instead. When you’re done here, we’ve got lots more christmas ideas where these came from.
1
Chocolate and Peppermint
11
Stuffing
I wait all year for stuffing season, but it wasn’t until I began making my own that I really fell for the stuff. Ditch the box and really go for it: Tear your own bread, chop some veggies, toss some fresh herbs in there. Mine’s cornbread-based, but your mileage may (and should!) vary according to your whims. Some years, I’m tempted to skip the turkey altogether and fill up on this stuff.
Get the recipe for Thyme-Roasted Turkey and Gravy »
12
Turkey and Gravy
Many households swear by ham, lamb or another protein for Christmas dinner since it follows Thanksgiving so closely. But I still love a turkey centerpiece. Others (like my husband) consider the majestic bird too boring. If your turkey is bland too, you clearly haven’t tried this one that has herbs for days.
Get the recipe for Thyme-Roasted Turkey and Gravy »
13
Pecan Pie
Sticky, tooth-achingly sweet and chock full o’ nuts, pecan pie is too rich to enjoy more than a few times a year. But when it rolls around, you bet I’m eating a large slice. This one combines the classic pecans with hazelnuts and walnuts for an even tastier twist. Serve it a la mode; you deserve it.
Get the recipe for Salted Caramel Mixed Nut Pie »
14
Thumbprint Cookies
As a kid, I couldn’t understand why my mom always resisted making thumbprint cookies. Rolling dough between your hands, sticking your thumb right in the center, dusting with powdered sugar – it made the best mess. Now that I have to clean my own kitchen, I understand why she didn’t want to still keep digging sugar out of the grout a week later. They’re not in my top five cookie choices, but still worth the cleanup.
Get the recipe for Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies »
15
Cranberry Sauce
In the cranberry category, nothing beats homemade. If your family serves cranberry sauce at Christmas as well as Thanksgiving, level up for the second round with this zippy orange-apricot cranberry compote. Or just go for the homemade version both times. It’s that much better and it doubles as a glorious kitchen aromatic.
Get the recipe for Orange-Apricot Cranberry Sauce »
20
Charcuterie Board
The charcuterie platter makes an appearance at many holiday gatherings, and here’s where you’ll find my one appeal to moderation. I love a snack dinner as much as the next person, but you’ve got to pace yourself. All those delectably salty meats and velvety cheeses will fill you up faster than you can say “Eat, papa! Eat!” Pace yourselves, revelers.
21
Dinner Rolls
As far as I’m concerned, dinner rolls serve one purpose: soaking up extra gravy. While that’s still an important role (sorry), there are more important items on the table. But if you can’t skip rolls entirely, go for these buttery rosemary rolls that blow the canned kind right out of the running.
Get the recipe for Buttery Rosemary Rolls »
22
Mixed Nuts
My family’s Christmas appetizer station has featured a wooden bowl of mixed nuts every holiday since time began, and I’m of two minds. Point: Cracking each one creates automatic portion control. Counterpoint: Who wants to waste time on plain nuts when there’s something much more exciting right over there? Adding a little spice solves that problem.
Get the recipe for Spicy Deviled Walnuts »
23
Eggnog
I love the festive, nutmeg-forward scent of eggnog. Splash a little rum or bourbon in there and we can all see how it became a classic. But a mug of eggs, cream, milk and sugar makes me feel like a long winter’s nap after just a couple sips. Every year, I end up tossing most of the carton. If your stomach has more stamina than mine, here’s a virtually foolproof method to make your own.
24
Fruitcake
Why the traditionally dense, brick-like fruitcake even still exists is totally beyond me. It requires superhuman strength to chew through, requires at least three cups of wassail to wash down and at this point, makes a better punchline than dessert. Instead, take the dried fruit you would use for baking that bludgeoning weapon and use it in these tasty slice-and-bake cookies instead.
Get the recipe for Fruitcake Cookies »
25
Assorted Box of Chocolates
Forrest Gump was right: Boxes of assorted chocolates aren’t for the faint of heart. Only some of them come with an answer key, and even those are a bit of a gamble. You could get a delicious peanut butter truffle, or end up with the ever-polarizing coconut creme. At least with the cookie tray, I know what I’m getting into.
26
Green Salad
Look, I love a salad for lunch during the work-week. I even toss one together when I’ve had a particularly decadent eating schedule lately. The day after Christmas, this vegan Caesar salad will be precisely what the doctor ordered. But on the day itself? I’m filling my platter with all of the decadent goodies.
Get the recipe for Vegan Caesar Salad »
27
Candy Canes
Candy canes make great ornaments for your tree. They look cute as a garnish for your drink. And the red-and-white stripes even work as a makeup trend or attire. But to me, they’re just not worth it. If it isn’t dipped in chocolate, I’m using it as a decoration instead.
Lizz Schumer
Senior editor
Lizz Schumer is the senior editor for Good Housekeeping, and also contributes to Woman’s Day, and Prevention, covering pets, culture, lifestyle, books, and entertainment.
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