Grab a bottle of wine, and let’s create a Magical Christmas Dinner! Can you believe that Christmas is almost here? It’s time to start decking your halls in Christmas decorations! Plus, it’s your turn to make the holiday cheer while showing off your new home! Oh, this is going to be such a magical time.
Hosting a magical Christmas Holiday Dinner is simple as one, two, three if you follow these suggestions.
- Guests & Invitations
- Menu Planning
- Decorations
- Have Fun & Dress Your Best
Guests/Invitations
Let the planning begin. We will start with the guest list. You need to make sure that you know who is coming to your dinner. Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year, so be prepared to see the relatives and friends that do not live locally. When inviting them to your Christmas dinner, you also have to consider their geographical location. Even if you already know they will decline the invitation, still offer that olive branch. The last thing you want is Aunt Hilda complaining that she did not receive an invitation.
Formal invitations are not necessary unless that is something that you want to do. Personally call or text them that you would love to have them over for a magical Christmas Dinner. If you prefer to send out invitations, I recommend the following:
- E-Invite
- Printed Formal Invitation
- If you need inspiration for wording on the invites, go here.
When you are sending out the invites, there is some essential information that you will need from your guests.
- You will need to know how many are coming from each invite. If your bachelor brother is coming, you might ask if he will bring arm candy or plan for some surprise guests.
- Take into consideration any dietary restrictions while creating your magical menu.
- Make sure that you have an itinerary to offer your guests. If you are offering appetizers, make a note on the invitation.
- Make sure to note details pertaining to beverages or spirits.
- Make sure to include the location of the Christmas Dinner. You just moved, and some guests may not have your new address and awkwardly show up to your old address.
Planning the Menu
When planning the menu, you should stick with what you know. There is no need to get a wild hair, so keep the Aqua Net handy. Christmas is not the time or the holiday to try a new recipe. Here are some Traditional Menu Items:
Appetizers
Shrimp Cocktail
Baked Brie
Holiday Cheeseboards
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
For more recipe inspirations, go to our Christmas Appetizer Pinterest Board.
Main Course
Bourbon Honey Baked Ham
Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Mushrooms and White Wine
Honey Roasted Duck
Butter and Garlic Crusted Prime Rib
Rosemary & Garlic Rack of Lamb
For more recipe inspirations, go to our Christmas Main Dishes Pinterest Board.
Side Dishes
Honey Butter Thyme Glazed Carrots
Cheesy Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes
Bacon-Wrapped Beans
Savory Baked Pears
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
For more recipe inspirations, go to our Christmas Side Dishes Pinterest Board.
Desserts
Sparkling Cranberry White Chocolate Cake
Sea Salt Pecan Pumpkin Brittle
Dutch Apple Pie
Cranberry Custard Pie
Pistachio Cream Pie
For more recipe inspirations, go to our Christmas Dessert Pinterest Board.
Those suggestions were under the assumption that you are cooking the meal yourself. Not a cook? No problem! You can sit back and drink a glass of wine while you call a catering company or delegate your family members the dishes to bring to the potluck.
Decorations
Please do not worry about everything being picture-perfect. The overall goal is to make sure that your friends and family have fun and gain a pound or two. You don’t have to be bold; you can keep it simple. When it comes to the table decorations, you see all those pictures of the beautiful place settings with six plates per person. Want to know a secret? They never take pictures of all the dirty dishes afterward. If you want an elegant look but less cleaning, use disposable. You can purchase fancy paper/plastic plates, champagne flutes, silverware, and matching napkins. The only dirty dish you will have to worry about is delegating someone to take out the trash.
Have Fun & Look Pretty
Christmas is fun and magical when mistakes happen, and they will happen. Those mistakes become memories that you laugh about in the future. When you plan this Magical Christmas Dinner, make sure that you have fun and sip eggnog. When the Magical Dinner approaches, make sure that you look your best. You will have been stressed and struggled to get to this point. If you look your best and smile, no one will know the difference. This dinner will become a picture in time, and all you will see are smiles.