I’m a planner. I don’t like to be caught off guard by things, and I don’t like to “wing it”. So, it’s no surprise that I started thinking about our Christmas Menu weeks ago, and created a spreadsheet to organize it. 🎄😂📋
Although we are having a smaller-than-normal Christmas gathering this year, with just the kids and my mother-in-law, I will still be responsible for feeding people three major meals.
We will be having our main Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve this year, because it’s my husband’s year to work on Christmas Day. The plan is eat and open gifts on Christmas Eve. Then he’s off to work at 6:30 a.m. Christmas morning, and I will prepare brunch for the kids and hang out with them, and begin preparing the food for Christmas Night. Then, when he arrives home, we will have hot appetizers and charcuterie with our small gang.
Thankfully, I enjoy cooking and feeding my people. 💕
However, my husband and I both have 5 days off together at the end of winter break, so I’m definitely looking forward to some relaxing, lazy days at home after Christmas, as we ring in the New (hopefully better) Year. 🙏🏻🥂
Christmases Past
For many years, when my kids were young and it was just the three of us, I always made a very special Chrismas Eve dinner. I’d get out the good China, set the dining room table “fancy”, and cook up a fun and festive holiday dinner for the three of us.
Christmas Eve 2015 Christmas Eve 2012
It began as a way to occupy myself while I was alone when the kids were gone having Christmas with their dad, and turned into some of my very favorite Christmas memories. Now, I still love to set a pretty table and make a special dinner for the people I love, especially at the holidays.
What’s on the Menu?
I’m always interested in what other people serve at the holidays. Around here, we make all the traditional dishes for Thanksgiving dinner, so for Christmas, I feel like we can branch out a bit.
Below is the plan for our menu this year. I’ve linked my tried and true recipes that I’ve already posted in the past, and will share the new recipes with you soon.
Christmas Eve Dinner
- Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log (pre-dinner appetizer)
- Spiral Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
- Beef Tenderloin with Cherry Balsamic Reduction
- Winter Green Salad
- Loaded Au Gratin Potatoes
- Maple Bourbon Brussels Sprouts
- Homemade Yeast Rolls
- Mini Peppermint Cheesecakes
- Kolackys/Kolaches
Maple Bourbon Brussels Sprouts Kolaches
Christmas Morning Brunch
- Overnight Sausage & Egg Casserole
- Christmas Tree Danish
- Povitica
- Fresh fruit
- Christmas Mimosas
- Coffee Bar with TJs Batons
Sausage Egg Bake Homemade Povitica
Christmas Night Appetizers & Charcuterie
- Shrimp Cocktail
- Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts
- Hot & Cheesy Corn Dip (wth tortilla chips & carrot sticks for dipping)
- Party Meatballs
- Jalapeno Popper Cups
- Charcuterie Board
- Spicy Roasted Nut Mix
- Cranberry Lime Spritzers
- Leftover desserts from Christmas Eve
Hot & Cheesy Corn Dip Cranberry Lime Vodka Spritzer Charcuterie
Spicy Mixed Roasted Nuts
Several of the recipes that are on our menu will be appearing on the blog very soon. I promise to share them with you as soon as I get them typed up and photographed!
I’d love to know what’s on your Christmas menu. Share it in the comments if you have a minute! Because if I’m honest, I’ll probably be starting to write the 2021 menu pretty soon. 🤣
Wishing you the happiest of holidays,

PS. I’d be so grateful if you’d follow me on social media and subscribe via email using the box on this page! Then you won’t miss a thing from The House on Silverado.
Hope you had a great Christmas and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,516. We hope to see you back here again soon!
Miz Helen
WOW! You are amazing! My husband is the main cook but I do try to pitch in during the holidays. Your food sounds amazing . Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen
Niky, everything looks amazing! I am very non traditional with holiday meal menus. We celebrated last weekend while my in-laws were able to visit us and for our Christmas Eve dinner, I made fried ravioli and a whole bunch of appetizers, French toast strata for Christmas breakfast, and then because we celebrated on Saturday, I made all sorts of football food and we ate and ate and watched football all day! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, my friend! Thanks for linking with me!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
oh my such yummy dishes that will be prepared thanks for sharing the menu and letting have a look around
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Looks so very yummy. Wow. That is a lot of good food. I am cheating this year, I called a local restaurant and got prime rub, turkey’s, veggie’s and pie.
Happy Christmas to you.
Wow! I love every thing on your menu. It’s so cool that you have this tradition. I grew up getting most of our food ordered so it’s going to be a mix of both for us. I am trying to enjoy cooking more so I am hoping I will eventually get to cook most of our meals!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
That sounds so delicious!! When my boys were young we often hosted Christmas eve dinner for my whole family, Christmas brunch for my husband’s family, and then Christmas dinner for just us… through the years we’ve whittled it down and my mother took over Christmas Eve so this year I only have to prepare for Christmas brunch. We’re having homemade croissants, scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit salad, and muffins.
Your brunch sounds amazing1 I’ve never made homemade croissants! Is there a special recipe you use?