Christmas Eve dinner

[Cathymac]

As I'm sitting here wrapped in a Christmas quilt, watching a holiday movie and making a menu and grocery list, I'm wondering what everyone is making for Christmas Eve dinner.

Is it a traditional meal or something more casual? Do you do the same type of menu or something more eclectic? Is Christmas Eve a big deal in your family or a casual night? Is it a prep time for the big day or a day of rest?

For us, it's a casual night with friends and some family members. Some years we have soup or chili, some years a little more traditional fare. This year we are eating early-5 pm-so it'll be make ahead things mostly.

As of right now, here's what I'm planning.

Bacon wrapped crackers (Pioneer Woman recipe)
Pizza rolls (crescent rolls with cheese, marinara sauce and pepperoni)
Poinsettias (cranberry juice, apple juice and ginger ale)

Sliced ham
Golden home fries (fried potatoes with Yukon gold and sweet potatoes, red onions and garlic-yummy!)
Garlicky green beans
Spiced fruit compote
Yeast rolls

Hot chocolate pudding and homemade vanilla ice cream

Tea and coffee

And you?

 

[Winged One]

My mum used to always cook the ham and we'd eat that hot on Christmas Eve (she'd slice and reheat on Christmas Day) with mashed potatoes (needed some for potato stuffing anyway) and boiled veg.

We haven't had the same thing twice, I don't think.
Last year, we had a platter of various cooked and cured meats, olives, cherry and sundried tomatoes, salad, cheese, nice bread etc and just helped ourselves which was lovely. DH thinks that's too much hassle though (I thought it was one of the easier years!!).

So I don't know what we're doing yet this year (it's still more than 24 hours away, so absolutely too far away to consider yet).

 

[AnnieClaus]

We do a traditional meal- well, traditional for the American Southwest region:

Tamales- green corn and pork

Mexican Rice

Refried Beans

It's more casual than Christmas Dinner.

Winged One- I like that idea for Christmas Eve.

Cathymac- Those potatos sound incredible!

Annie

 

[luludou]

We go to my mom's. Since she is hosting Christmas Eve party, we usually order a pizza for supper just us & them and then in the evening it's a full-scale buffet hot and cold.

- Patés à la viande (meat pies)
- Pasta salad
- Caesar salad
- Veggies & dip
- Cupcakes
- Fruit salad
- Fruit plate
- Cheese & crackers
- meatballs in sweet sauce
- Cheeseballs
- Ham sandwiches
- Egg sandwiches
- Rolls with chicken salad
etc... etc... etc....
We spend all day cooking & cleaning... to enjoy the evening.

 

[Minta]

We do the 7 fishes dinner with a few extended family/friends over for dinner.

This years menu
Homemade crab cakes
Steamed Clams
Spag with marinara sauce, steamed shrimp and scallops (favorite with the adults and kids)
Honey-mustard Tilapia with a panko crust
Herb roasted flounder
Fish sticks (for the kids)

I have a sampler cheese cake that I ordered from the kids school fund raiser for dessert

 

[HouseElf]

Christmas Eve is just the 5 of us - and I like it to be quiet, a little more 'formal' than the boys usually dress - as we also go to Mass.

We have done several 'traditional' meals (a west coast meal of salmon, or a ham dinner, or the turkey feast, and once a crown roast...)

This Christmas Eve we are having:

Rack of Lamb, rosemary and garlic
Caramelized Onion & Potato Gratin
Brie and Cranberry Stuffed Mushroom Bites

For dessert, a Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Custard

 

[ejagno]

Our Christmas Eve/Gift Exchange with the immediate family traditionally includes:
Seafood Gumbo
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
Tons of desserts: Pies, Candy, Cookies, Fudge

 

[ChristmasPir8]

It will be just up Christmas eve and Day. IN the past we don't do much and I honestly haven't even thought about it. Maybe I will plan a snacky day so we can have that and left overs for tomorrow as well.

 

[HouseElf]

Well plans always change

We are having a guest for Christmas eve dinner!

And I just figured out it is a leg of lamb - not a rack!

Change in dessert, I am making a no bake gluten free pumpkin 'cheesecake' and will serve with gingerbread cookies and coffee.

 

[jinglemom]

On Christmas Eve it is just us and maybe ds18's girlfriend. We have something easy for dinner on Christmas eve, so I can prep for Christmas day dinner with relatives and go to mass at 7:30. Everyone wanted the same dinner as last year:

Boudins clam chowder (from Costco)
Sourdough bread
Salad
Baked potatoes or potato skins
And I may add the baked ham sandwiches off pinterest with the brown sugar/poppyseed sauce poured on top.

For dessert
Cream puffs with dark chocolate sauce
Gingerbread brownies
Coconut cream pie
Rocky road

 

[teachermomof2]

We have a more formal dinner since we're dressed up from going to mass. I'll have

3 kinds of kielbassi/cheese/fruit trays for appetizers

Lasagna
Veal Cutlets
Salad

We have cookies and cheesecake for dessert. It will only be 6 of us this year, since my brother works.

All of your goodies sound great.