Small Memories

Every family has its favorite dishes for the holidays, traditions that have been passed down year after year.  Maybe it is time to spice things up and introduce some new recipes or at least make some variations to some favorites.  It’s a good idea to incorporate family favorites from your spouse’s family (if you can get them to share the recipes), especially if you can’t get together with that side of the family. Here are a few different Christmas dinner menu ideas to help you find your own groove this holiday season.

Appetizers - Why not have a few appetizers set out, so people can snack while dinner is finishing up?  Set out some healthy things to munch on, like fruit and veggies or cheese and crackers.  It’s easy to set up a nice tray; even just a foil lined pizza pan covered in clear plastic with Christmas designs on it can dress up the table.

Side Dishes - Tired of the same old stuffing or mashed potatoes?  Try some souped up stuffing.  Take some precooked chicken (or left over turkey from Thanksgiving), picked off the bone and then mix that with your favorite cream soup (chicken, mushroom or celery) and some sour cream, top with stuffing, add a little water and bake according to the directions on the stuffing box.

Other side dishes can feature different vegetables, noodles or potatoes. You could also have some fruit side dishes, like baked apples.  If it’s a family gathering where everyone brings a different dish, then try out that recipe you’ve been wanting to make but haven’t.

Main Dishes - While a ham or turkey may be traditional for Christmas dinner, how about a roast?  It’s simple to cook a nice, moist roast using a slow cooker.  Place the meat in the slow cooker, add some broth or au jus, some favorite spices and let it cook while you are enjoying the family.  Add some vegetables; simply select ones that cook well in the slow cooker and there is one less dish to make.

Desserts - Everybody loves desserts, especially at the holidays. We tend to overindulge in them.  Try to find some desserts that are still delicious, yet a little less filling. Gelatin, especially if you make red or green, is always a hit around the holidays. Add fruit or make it into squares or even fun shapes with cookie cutters.

Instead of having very heavy desserts try having an angel food cake. Adding red and green candy or sugar sprinkles gives it a festive look.  Have a variety of bite-size desserts, such as mints, chocolate covered nuts or peanut butter balls.  This will give guests a variety and help curb the need to overindulge as well.

Do you have alternative holiday menu ideas? Feel free to add your Christmas dinner menu ideas below.

Have your holiday activities become too predictable or commercial? You can bring back the joyful and simple holidays of yester-year. These activities will help you find joy in an old-fashioned Christmas.

Holiday Cooking - Instead of the traditional turkey for dinner, cook some sort of wild game as the main dish. If that doesn’t appeal to you, try cooking the turkey or ham in a different way. For the side dishes and dessert, consider preparing a few old family recipes. This is especially significant if they are heirloom recipes or you have older family members at your celebration. Want to try something that is a little more adventurous? Try your hand at making plum pudding and don’t forget to add the coin.

Warm Beverages - Instead of coffee, prepare several varieties of hot tea. If your family or guests don’t usually drink hot tea, consider purchasing single-serving variety packs. This will allow people to try different flavors and varieties. You may also choose to offer hot apple cider, with a dash of cinnamon and one clove in each cup. Serve the drinks with warm apple tarts, sugar cookies (biscuits), scones, or gingerbread.

Old-Fashioned Decorations - While you’re in the kitchen, make cinnamon scented ornaments (see recipe) with the kids. These are especially cute when gingerbread men or holiday cookie cutters are used. The ornaments are easy to make and the scent helps to put everyone in the Christmas mood.

Trimming the Tree - Place your Christmas tree where you normally would, but save the trimming for Christmas Eve. Gather family and friends around, while you make popcorn or cranberry strings for the tree. Remember to hang the handmade cinnamon ornaments which were made several days before. As a final touch, add a star, angel, or bow to the top of the tree.

Christmas Stories & Readings - After you trim the Christmas tree, gather your family around, dim the lights, and share a special Christmas story or reading. To get the children involved, have one of them choose a favorite holiday book from which to read. For an even more old-fashioned setting, read the Christmas story straight from the bible.

Handmade Gifts - Celebrate your old-fashioned holiday by making at least one handmade gift for everyone. Children’s gifts could include doll clothes, handmade soaps and bubble bath, scarves, clothing, beaded jewelry, wooden toys, games, and candy. Handmade gift ideas for adults might include soaps and bubble bath, scented candles, scarves, socks, hats, crocheted or quilted blankets, and candy. If you aren’t a crafty kind of person, consider giving everyone a special card which contains activities you will do with or for them.

Wrapping Paper - Long ago, most people didn’t have access to colorful wrapping paper. In fact, most gifts weren’t wrapped at all. When a gift was wrapped, it was usually in brown paper, similar to the paper bags we have now. This year, get a roll of plain brown or white paper (or paper bags.) Let the children decorate the plain paper with crayons, markers, glue, stickers, etc. When the decorating is finished, allow the children to wrap a few gifts in “brown paper.” Oh, and you can’t use tape when wrapping. Back then, you had to tie a string around the package to hold the paper on.

If you need to slow the pace of your holiday season, you can find joy in an old-fashioned Christmas. As everyone participates in the fun activities, several things happen. They become more aware of the importance of family and that simple traditions can bring the most joy. Last but not least, they discover that memories are the most valuable gift.

Happy Holidays!