What’s on my Christmas table

In a recent Q&A, a member asked what is usually on my Thanksgiving and Christmas table. I sent out my Thanksgiving favorites (also great Christmas/holiday options) and now it’s time for the Christmas version!

My family does Christmas differently than most. My mom is German and Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration in Germany (and most of Europe I think?). On Christmas eve, dinner is always a beautiful spread of cured meats, smoked salmon, various cheeses, good butter, German breads, boiled eggs, and one or two salads or veg sides. That was followed by lighting the tree (with real candles!), then opening presents and eating cookies with eggnog.

My dad grew up opening presents from Santa on Christmas morning like most Americans, so they sort of combined their traditions – opening presents on Christmas eve with the classic dinner spread described above and then Santa would come to fill our stockings will small gifts/candies that we would wake up to on Christmas morning. Christmas dinner was always different – with some kind of meaty main (often a glazed ham) and various salads and sides.

I feel like Christmas day dinner for many is similar to Thanksgiving, but maybe a little less beige and mushy and more bright and crunchy? At any rate, you can find my personal holiday favorites over the years below!

Christmas Day breakfast

Give me these Cinnamon Roll Scones and this Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Frittata (or a spread of smoked salmon, cream cheese, bagels, etc…), please!

Holiday appetizers

The best appetizer, in my opinion, is a festive charcuterie board with a dip or two and/or some festive crostini. So my ideal holiday appetizer spread would be a beautiful charcuterie board along with the dip and toast below!

• Citrus Beet Hazelnut Dip – this dip just feels and looks so festive! I also love beets, but I understand many people don’t. Sweet, earthy beets, rich, nutty hazelnuts, and bright citrus get blended until smooth and topped with crunchy hazelnuts and plenty of olive oil.
• Cheesy Mushroom Garlic Toasts – I love a seasonal crostini/toast. Simply brush slices of baguette with oil and bake until crunchy, then top with whatever you want! I love the mushroom and cheese combo, but below are a few other ideas:
  • Goat cheese, apple, crispy prosciutto, drizzle of honey
  • Goat cheese, cranberry sauce, prosciutto
  • Brie + fig jam or brie + apple

Holiday dinner spread

For me, Christmas dinner should have some kind of festive meaty (or fishy) main, some version of potatoes, a cooked seasonal veg, a raw crunchy and bright salad, and good bread or rolls with the best butter you can find 🙂 Below are my Cooking Club faves:

• I love a pork tenderloin main – either this Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Hazelnut Romesco or Rosemary Garlic Pork Tenderloin with Citrus Pan Sauce.
• Thanksgiving is for mushy potatoes, Christmas is for crispy potatoes – Crispy Parmesan Potatoes with Gremolata.
• For the cooked veg side, I would go with Braised Cabbage Wedges with Gouda and Pomegranate.
• A radicchio salad will always be on my holiday table if I have a say in it and this Radicchio Salad with Spiced Hazelnuts + Blue Cheese is probably my favorite for Christmas (other good salad options: Shaved Brussels Sprout and Fennel Salad with Citrus or Radicchio Fennel Citrus Salad).
• Really good bread (or make rolls!) and the best (salted, ALWAYS) butter, please!

Holiday dessert

Ok so other than cookies (find all my favorites here), Christmas is the time for cake and since I’m not having my birthday cake on Christmas, this Olive Oil Cake with Whipped Maple Crème Fraîche and Pomegranate will forever have my heart.

I also love a mousse for dessert – it’s not quite as heavy as a cake and feels like the perfect finisher to a big meal. My mom always made a raspberry mousse for Christmas day dessert, so it’s also very nostalgic for me. This Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mousse is my own version of that. It’s so easy to make and soooo good!! Or save it for Valentine’s Day 🙂

A sneak peek of the 2024 menu

For this upcoming 2024 holiday menu, you can expect a main, a festive salad, two appetizers, a cookie, and cake!