The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to start planning your Christmas gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner party or a grand holiday bash, this guide has everything you need to make your celebration unforgettable. From dazzling decorations and delectable dishes to festive cocktails and heartwarming gifts, we’ve got you covered. So, flourish in the holiday spirit and let’s dive into the Ultimate Guide to Christmas Entertaining.
The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Entertaining
For Brunch and Dinner Planning
10 Recipes for a Magical Christmas Brunch
The best Christmas Day gathering starts with a delicious brunch after the hours of opening gifts. Treat your guests to two meals this year with our simple and tasty options for brunch. From ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls to savory breakfast bakes, we have it all.
Garden Vegetable Sides for Your Next Holiday Meal
Freshly grown garden vegetables can add a pop of color and a healthy crunch to your holiday table. And don’t worry, we bring veggies up to their natural elegance with dishes like Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts in Orange and Apricot Sauce, and much more.
Healthy Recipes to Stay On Track During the Holidays
The holidays don’t have to be full of endless sweets and fried foods. Keep yourself feeling good this year by providing healthy recipes for your guests. A lot of times, these recipes also accompany anyone with food allergies or specific diets so it’s a win-win for everyone!
Sweet Potato Sides to Liven Up Your Holiday Meal
You can’t go wrong substituting sweet potatoes for your usual mashed potatoes. Whether they’re smashed, stacked, mashed, or baked, with a little butter and savory seasonings these recipes can add a new festive spirit to your dinner.
Cranberry Recipes for the Holiday Season
The ingredient of the season deserves to be a main feature of your holiday meal. We’ll show you all kinds of ways to use cranberries such as in our Cranberry Orange Fig Compote as an appetizer or Winter White Pavlova for dessert.
6 Holiday Sides by Chef Jackie Page
Chef Jackie Page has an upgrade to any classic Christmas side dish. Dive into elevated Green Bean Casserole, Corn Pudding Cakes, and even Pear and Goat Cheese Bites. These side dishes are a bit more decadent and a lot of deliciousness.
6 More Side Dishes for Your Holiday Feast
The side dishes are truly the magic of a holiday feast so you can’t go wrong with adding on something new this year. Look forward to winter fare like Roasted Pears, Pan-Roasted Carrots with Tahini Sauce, and Crispy Artichokes with Lemony Breadcrumbs.
8 Squash Recipes to Complete Your Holiday Dinner
Squash is another staple of the holidays that can be dressed up in ways that’ll have even the pickiest eaters falling in love. Source squash from your local farmer’s market then serve your family Savory Black Truffle Bread Pudding Stuffed Squash, Roasted Squash Tartine with Honey Mascarpone, and Roasted Squash with Pesto and Crumbled Goat Cheese.
Decoration and Plating Suggestions
Holiday Punch Bowls!
If you’re holding a large gathering that includes batched cocktails, a special punch bowl can add a bit of elegance and fun to your drink table. The best part is these beautiful bowls come with their own matching glassware so you can serve your guests in style.
5 Winter Table Settings
If you want to change up your usual tablecloth or dinnerware, we have 5 settings to provide inspiration for the winter season. Take advantage of stunning blues and festive patterns that you’ll be proud to display.
Winter Wonderland Decorations to Keep Your Home Festive
Skip the big stores and invest in winter decorations that’ll last year after year. By browsing these products and taking in some of our tips, you’ll be turning your home into the most magical spot for a Christmas celebration.
Pick the Best Nativity Set This Year
Some families have a tradition of buying a new nativity set each year. We have your top picks for a variety of sets that can match the aesthetic of your home. Go beyond the basic wood look this season.
Christmas in South Africa with Algria Ferreira-Watlings
Minimalism is in and Algria Ferreira-Watlings is teaching you how to apply this style to your Christmas decor. Take a look around her home and hear from this decor specialist on how to make minimalism work for you.
Fancy Up Your Christmas Dessert Table
Pie Recipes to Fill Your Holiday Table
You can’t have a dessert table without some type of pie in the center. We have recipes for traditional pies like apple or experimental types like our Cherry Blueberry Pie. There are even a few chocolate pies for those who have more of a sweet tooth and of course Sweet Potato Pie as an essential for the season.
Holiday Cookie Recipes Perfect for Baking with Kids
It does not have to be just up to you to get the house ready for the gathering. Include the kids this year by having them help bake kid-friendly cookie recipes. They’ll feel so special seeing their Gingerbread, Chocolate Chip, and Pumpkin cookies adorn the table.
16 Delicious Holiday Cookie Recipes
Beyond our kid-friendly cookies, we have so many more festive recipes that sparkle with sugars, icing, and sprinkles. Here you’ll find favorites like our Peanut Butter Cookies and our special creations like the Orange Cranberry Swirl Cookies with a jolly red filling.
3 Peppermint Desserts to Make for Festive Holiday Celebrations
You cannot make it through December without tasting something with a peppermint touch. This winter flavor is perfect as a trifle, a cake, or just about anything your mind can imagine. Each of these recipes end in a stunning display of white and red that’ll have you looking like a pro.
These Christmas Cakes Can Sweeten Your Table This Year
Just about everyone likes some type of cake whether it’s full of cream or berries, or both! We even have a recipe for Melted Snowman Cake Pops that’ll win over the kids with their cute little faces and moist inside.
Cocktails and Beverages For All
Holiday Batched Cocktails for Your Gatherings
If you are having a large gathering, batched cocktails are going to be your key to keeping the drinks floating without having to worry about on-demand mixing. The best part is that many of our recipes are twists on classic cocktails you already love. Try the Piña Paradise Mojito or the Spice is Nice Sangria for something a bit more festive.
6 Wines for the Holiday Table
Not sure what wine will accompany your main course? As long as you know what type of protein you’re cooking, we can give you options that will compliment the nuances of your selection. The best part is we always include an affordable option for those working ona. budget.
Alternative Bubbles for Holiday Toasting
Champagne is a tradition for holiday toasting but in case your crowd isn’t a fan there are other bottles you can purchase. Try a sparkling sake or cider as an alternative and see your guests faces light up with joy. Plus, it brings a new face to your holiday table setting.
Drink Your Way Through the Twelve Days of Christmas with These Cocktails
When the Twelve Days of Christmas song gets stuck in your head, mix up a cocktail to let your thoughts drift elsewhere! If you want to get creative this year with your beverage options, serve up one (or if you’re ambitious, all) of the Twelve Days of Christmas in a glass. Get ready for Eight Maids a Milking and Three French Hens in cocktail form.
Hot Cocktails for Chilly Nights
Let’s face it, December isn’t exactly the warmest month of the year. Comfort and heat up your guests with these hot cocktail recipes. Whether it’s Mulled Wine or a Hot Toddy, a glass by the fire is sure to resolve any tensions over the holiday season.
11 Cocktails Inspired by Christmas Movies
Christmas movies are one of the biggest joys of the holiday season. Whether your favorite is Elf, A Christmas Story, or even Santa Claus is Coming to Town, we have the perfect cocktail to match while you cuddle up on the couch. Let this movie and drink combo whisk you away to happy holidays.
Picking Out the Perfect Gift
Try Making an Edible Gift This Holiday Season
Turns out you don’t have to buy gifts every year, you can just make them instead! These gifts from the heart are edible surprises that come in handy in every day life. Maybe you’ll make your guests a batch of Earl Gray Sea Salt Caramels or provide them with a jar of Homemade Chili Crisp to use in their recipes at home.
Struggling to Pick Grab Bag Gifts? Weirdly, AI Can Help
If you’re looking to give your family members, friends, or coworkers a grab bag gift at your gathering, AI can help with that. Yes, believe it or not, AI actually has some pretty handy tips for grab bag gifting. We put your chat-bot bestie to the test to see just what it would suggest and results were genuinely shocking.
Best Gifts For Hard-to-Shop-For People
Gifting can be one of the most stressful parts of the holidays when its someone that just feels impossible to buy anything for. But, don’t worry, we have suggestions to make gifting to coworkers, teens, people who have everything, and even frenemies a breeze. Who knew gift shopping could be so simple?
13 Top Perfumes to Gift Someone Special
For that person in your life that you love the most, a perfume is the perfect combination of elegance and personalization. We have a list of the top 13 perfumes that you’ll want to gift this year. Plus, there is enough variety to find something to suit anyone’s taste and price-point.
Impress With These Sparkling Wines for Your Hostess Gift
If you happen to not be the hostess this year, it’s important to bring a hostess gift that’s plentiful and mouthwatering. A sparkling wine shows that you care about their time and effort and gifts them a way to relax after all the chaos has ensued. Needless to say, they’re the real heroes this Christmas.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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