It’s Christmas Eve Eve (which David assures me isn’t a real thing). It’s also grocery shopping day for me, as I cross my fingers that they stores are still well-stocked. Certainly I’m not the only one that waits until the last minute, right? I’ll report back.
And if you happen to see me out, forgive my frazzled look as I’ll be attempting the shopping with one baby strapped to me and an overly-excited preschooler running circles around me. Fa la la la la la la latte me.
Anyway, I took time yesterday to plan out what we’ll be eating and bringing to various Christmas celebrations and wanted to share in case you are like me and still looking for some last minute ideas.
Christmas Eve Potluck Lunch/Dinner
Without family nearby to join us, we will be joining a group of good friends for an afternoon celebration before church. The main dishes are being supplied, so I’m planning on bringing either this Holiday Appetizer Wreath with a dipping sauce (clearly a crowd-pleaser)
or a rosemary wreath with fresh mozzarella, olives and grape tomatoes (a Brittany-pleaser).
Plus a 6-pack of beer in this adorable beer greeting card. The card is attached to the festive carrier- cute, right?!
Christmas Morning
Since I will be busy playing with toys, I don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I figure we’ll brew coffee and hot chocolate, then pop in a sausage, hash brown casserole
or a pan full of pumpkin cinnamon rolls.
and mayyyyyyybe a few coffee ice cubes in Baileys for good measure.
Christmas Dinner
I first considered a spiral ham because this slow cooker version just sounded awesome.
Then I thought about a holiday lasagna because how nice to be able to make it ahead of time!
However, David’s parents are joining us and in the spirit of a little splurge for a special day, I’ve opted for prime rib. I’m considering using the Pioneer Woman’s Prime Rib recipe but with a bone-in cut if I can find one.
Plus my mom’s sweet potato casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts and fresh rolls. I want to try making these with my bread machine.
For drinks, I’ll probably default to delicious wine, but I’m tempted to switch things up a bit with either this festive cranberry mojito (no source found)
or a little sparkling action
…how fun would those be with sparkling apple cider for the kids? I might save that for New Year’s Eve!
Christmas Dessert
This all depends on the time I have, but I’d like to make pecan pie
but we’ll see. I don’t want to be overly ambitious and kill my holiday spirit. But that’s what the Baileys is for right?
Cheers!
Speaking of holiday spirit, I know you all are running around and soaking it up, so I think I’ll be joining you and stepping back from the blog for a couple days in order to focus on family. Merry Christmas!
What are you most excited about eating over the next couple of days?
Sherry says
Your thought about menus look delicious. I wouldn’t dream of trying anything “new” here (talked about it once and it was shot down—“what do you mean no tenderloin on Christmas Eve?!?!). So we will be having tenderloin with mushrooms, Grandma Betty’s pan potatoes, roasted brussell sprouts (did sneak these in), Japanese green beans, and quinoa with tomatoes & garbonza beans. Our nephew’s girl friend is vegetarian so had to throw in some protein for her 🙂
And I hope not to make a trip to the grocery today–good luck and Merry Christmas!
Katie says
Multiple serving of Lefse! My grandma sent some to our house, so I’m getting a few servings before the typical Christmas day.
Heather says
I’ll be headed to Whole Foods in a couple of hours for all my last minute fruits and veggies. I always wait until the day before so they’re freshest. 😉 We host Christmas Eve dinner every year and I always make a ham, and all of my favorite holiday recipes, which is kind of my favorite thing about hosting. :p Ha ha. By far, my favorite part of the meal is always the pies, though. I’m making pumpkin, cherry and Bourbon Orange Pecan. YUM. Oooh, actually Christmas morning is my favorite. I make gingerbread pancakes every year before we open presents (but after we exchange stockings). One of my first jobs was at a B&B and the recipe is one they used there, so it always takes me back to this special time and place in my life.
Kim Weigand says
Chef Ron Lock’s no fail prime rib roast!!! Never had it fail!! Delish!!
Jen says
I will probably go to the store tomorrow (gulp!). I work full-time so haven’t had a chance to go yet. We always do lasagna and craft for Christmas eve dinner and then my aunts famous Belgian waffles for breakfast. Christmas dinner is going to be a heavenly baked ham (thanks work) and a fried turkey!
kathy says
You make it look so easy Brittany! 🙂 Merry Christmas! And what a fun one it will be with those 2 adorable little girls. 🙂
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy says
I think I’ll have to make that hashbrown casserole for Christmas breakfast!
I’m most looking forward to having lots of good eats with the family 🙂
Jodi stutts says
Looks like a great menu!! We did the gin pomegranate/cranberry and mint cocktails a few weekends ago and they were super tastey and festive!! I went to a party last weekend and my friend did the champagne cocktails when you walked in the front and they were a hit!! She also did something cute and froze a couple trays of ice w pomegranate seeds in the ice cubes. They looked super cute in our glasses!!
I take the totally lazy road at Christmas time and just enjoy all the appetizers at my inlaws, then we do a honey baked ham on Christmas w just us and I make the sides and then I make an apple cobble for Christmas nite for my family. I keep it to a minimum bc ow I feel like I’m in the kitchen all day!! Mama will need to play and nap!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I went grocery shopping last night for all day cooking today! The shopping was not fun (insane!), but the cooking was therapeutic and totally fun! First time baking all season too!
Abbie says
Sounds like a great plan and delicious food! I’m thinking about getting a bread maker. Any advice on brand or type?
Jen@jpabstfitness says
Love the party appetizer tray, very cute! We are huge fans of breakfast casserole on Christmas morning around here.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Sagan says
Great ideas! We generally stick with family favorites and traditional items, but it would be fun to try something a little different for a holiday meal… might have to consider this next year!
April says
Oh! All your ideas sound amazing! I’ve missed reading your blog the last couple of months (I’ve been out of blog-land for a bit). I’m glad to be back! I’d love to know if you did end up making the PW prime rib. Hope you had a wonderful and delicious Christmas!