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Christmas Dinner Menu

Plan your Christmas dinner menu with these delicious holiday appetizers, entrées, side dishes and desserts. Includes a FREE printable Christmas menu template, cooking schedule and shopping list to help keep you organized! 

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Christmas Holiday Dinner Ideas

Christmas is one of my absolute favorite holidays. I love the festive decorations, music, holiday cheer and especially the FOOD! Between all of Christmas breakfast ideas, holiday desserts, Christmas cookies or the big Christmas dinner, it’s a dream come true for a foodie like me.

I look forward to Christmas dinner every year. I love spending time in the kitchen with my family making all of our favorite holiday dishes. Those are some of my most cherished memories.

Below are the dishes that I’m planning to make for our Christmas dinner this year. I thought I would share them in case you need a little extra inspiration. These Christmas menu ideas are super easy, delicious and perfect for celebrating the holiday season with the ones you love!

Christmas Dinner Appetizers

We usually keep Christmas appetizers pretty light so that we don’t ruin our appetite before the big meal. All of these recipes can be made with less than 5 ingredients and are so simple to prep!

christmas tree fruit platter
Christmas Tree Fruit Platter
This Christmas tree fruit platter is fresh, fun, and festive! Party guests will love this simple fruit tray that is healthy, delicious and the perfect centerpiece at any holiday table.
Total Time: 10 minutes
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The best cheese ball recipe with crackers.
Cheese Ball Recipe
A classic cheese ball recipe is always a must-have appetizer at every holiday party! So easy to make with cream cheese, green onions, spices and pecans.
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Christmas charcuterie board on counter
Christmas Charcuterie Board
This Christmas charcuterie board is made with cured meats, cheeses, dips, fruits and nuts. It's easy holiday entertaining presented on a beautiful platter.
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Cranberry Meatballs
These slow cooker cranberry meatballs with jellied cranberry and chili sauce are so easy to make in the crockpot. The perfect 3-ingredient appetizer for any holiday party!
Total Time: 3 hours
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Christmas punch in a glass pitcher.
Easy Holiday Punch
This easy holiday punch is simple to make with cranberry juice, orange juice, pineapple juice and lemon-lime soda. A festive Christmas party drink the whole family can enjoy!
Total Time: 5 minutes
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Bread dipping oil with sliced french baguette.
Bread Dipping Oil Recipe
Restaurant-style bread dipping oil is made with a blend of dried spices, fresh herbs and olive oil. It's easy to make and never fails to impress when served with crusty bread.
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Christmas Dinner Menu

We usually have roasted turkey on our Thanksgiving menu and save baked ham for Christmas. Free up oven space with a crockpot spiral ham and use the leftovers to make ham and bean soup or these easy ham and cheese sliders.

Sliced baked ham on a plate.
Oven Baked Ham Recipe
This oven baked ham recipe is so easy to make and is great for beginners. You only need 5 simple ingredients and about 5 minutes to prep. It's the perfect dish for the holidays! 
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
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Spoonful of cheesy potatoes in a white baking dish.
Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
This easy cheesy potatoes recipe is going to be your new go-to side dish for the holidays. Flavorful potatoes in a simple cheddar cheese sauce is creamy and comforting!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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green bean casserole in crock pot
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
This crockpot green bean casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish made hands off in the slow cooker. This creamy dish is a holiday favorite plus frees up oven space!
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
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Creamed spinach in a bowl.
Creamed Spinach Recipe
This creamed spinach is rich, flavorful and a quick and easy side dish made with frozen spinach and heavy cream. The silky white sauce pairs perfectly with the tender spinach!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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pear and pomegranate salad
Pear Salad
Fresh pear salad filled with mixed greens, juicy sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, candied pecans, feta cheese and topped with a balsamic dressing. This is the perfect salad to serve at your holiday dinner this year! 
Total Time: 5 minutes
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Beet salad with tongs.
Beet Salad with Arugula and Balsamic Dressing
This beet salad is beautiful and bold with fresh arugula, crunchy candied pecans then tossed in a zesty balsamic dressing. It's stunning on any holiday table!
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
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Dinner rolls in a baking dish.
Best Homemade Dinner Rolls
Soft and fluffy with golden brown tops, these are the best dinner rolls! This recipe makes one dozen homemade rolls making it the perfect holiday side dish.
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
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roasted vegetables
Roasted Vegetables
These oven roasted vegetables are tender and packed with flavor from olive oil, balsamic vinegar and seasonings. Use this method and adapt it to any veggies!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Crockpot green beans.
Crockpot Green Beans
These crockpot green beans are a simple side dish made with fresh green beans, onion and smokey bacon! This easy recipe made in the slow cooker will be your new favorite.
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
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stuffing inside of white crockpot
Crockpot Stuffing
This classic crockpot stuffing has timeless flavors and mouthwatering aromas! Add a little calm to the holiday chaos by making a simple delicious slow cooker stuffing!
Total Time: 55 minutes
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Slice of raspberry pretzel salad on a white plate.
Raspberry Jello Pretzel Salad
Raspberry jello pretzel salad is sweet, salty and crowd-pleasing! A cream cheese and Cool Whip mixture sits on a pretzel crust layered with Jell-O for an irresistible dessert salad.
Total Time: 4 hours
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Christmas Dinner Desserts

I love decorating Christmas sugar cookies a few days before the holiday with my kids to serve for dessert plus it frees up extra time to make other holiday desserts to serve!

Yule log cake with cranberries on top.
Yule Log Cake (Bûche de Noël)
This Christmas make a traditional yule log cake (bûche de noël). A chocolate sponge cake is filled with creamy mascarpone, then covered with chocolate ganache for the bark.
Total Time: 2 hours 18 minutes
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Christmas sugar cookies.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
These Christmas sugar cookies are the best with a soft texture, sweet buttery taste and decorated with an easy icing. These festive cookies are perfect for the holiday season!
Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
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Oreo balls stacked on a plate.
Oreo Balls
These OREO balls are made with just 3 simple ingredients and are such an easy dessert recipe to make. Drizzle with chocolate or top with your favorite colored sprinkles for the perfect decorative treat!
Total Time: 35 minutes
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Stack of Christmas crack.
Christmas Crack Recipe
This Christmas crack recipe is the best sweet and salty treat made with a layer of saltine crackers, sweet toffee and chocolate! So easy and irresistible!
Total Time: 27 minutes
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Free Printable Christmas Menu Template

Print out this free editable Christmas menu template when planning your Christmas dinner this year. It also includes a cooking schedule and shopping list to help you stay organized for the big day.

christmas menu planning printables

More Christmas Recipes

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