I want to jump right into this post but first I have to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of support in regards to my dad. And even more importantly to me, how much my mom, dad, and brother have felt your love and prayers. I want to respond to everyone individually but it’s surprising to me how emotionally draining it can be to respond to a text at times. Right now we are channeling all the energy we can into positive thinking and creating new, wonderful memories together. I feel truly lifted by your love and for that, I am so, so grateful.
Speaking of new, wonderful memories- I get to host Christmas this year! The last time I had this opportunity was 7 years ago, about a week before I found out I was pregnant with Hailey. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2010. I’ve been looking forward to this for months and am going to relish in the quality time together- eating, drinking, laughing, and watching the kids run amok.
The anticipation of hosting has helped us really get into the spirit of things. From making Christmas cards.
To endless train rides for all our Little People princesses.
To sending our elf, Star, to the North Pole with our Christmas requests one last time just to make sure Santa doesn’t forget.
On Hailey’s list: a science kit and waterproof mittens. On Kaitlyn’s- a drawing board and waterproof mittens. I guess both our kids are sick of having frozen hands every time it snows?
While the kids have been playing and crafting, I’ve taken on my own holiday project- planning the menu! In total we will have 7 adults and 4 kids (and one pup). In the crowd we have both veggie-focused eaters and meat lovers, so I did my best to keep things balanced with options for all. I wanted to share it with you in case you were in need of some Christmas menu inspiration, but also to get you to weigh in- does it look like enough? Should I add anything else in? I’d love your feedback since I’m not shopping until later this week!
Ok- the menu!
The recipes outlined above include:
- Quinoa Salad from Cookies and Kate
- Savannah Seafood Gumbo from Paula Deen
- Homemade Sourdough from Peanut Butter Runner
- Crockpot Breakfast Casserole from Iowa Girl Eats
- Buffalo Chicken Dip from All Recipes
- Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Alton Brown
- Greek Pasta Salad from A Healthy Slice of Life
- Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole from Sally’s Baking Addiction
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal from Oh She Glows
- Garlicky Green Beans from A Healthy Slice of Life
- Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic and Thyme by Closet Cooking
I’m also planning on making my go-to sugar cookies for the kids to decorate and these raspberry thumbprint cookies from Oh She Glows.
I planned the menu keeping in mind that I could make a few dishes ahead of time and freeze them, so I divided to shopping into two days.
I’ll make the spinach and artichoke dip, breakfast casserole, and sweet potato souffle before everyone arrives on Friday, then make the rest of the food in real time. My family loves being in the kitchen so I know we will have all hands on deck, and that makes the prep less intimidating and much more fun.
I simultaneously am excited and in disbelief that it is the week before Christmas. We have, however, made it through most of our Christmas movie favorites (I wasn’t sure about Home Alone this year, but Hailey ended up loving it). I’m sure we will squeeze in another couple (I love Christmas movies) while we anticipate our family’s arrival!
I’d love to hear about your favorite holiday dishes!
What is your must-have dish each year?
For my bro, it’s bacon-wrapped water chestnuts!
Also- feedback on the menu. Anything I should add? Or consider?
Ali says
I am Hosting xmas dinner for 6 adults and 4 kids and i did last year as well. Last year i did a veggie minestrone soup for first course, a salad, chicken spidinis and pasta. I think my mom brought her supply of Xmas cookies for dessert. So now i need a plan for this year…. thatβs different….. Where will you get your tenderloin from?
Brittany Dixon says
David is actually picking it up in Hickory from a place called Mayes Meats (I think that is the spelling but I’ll double check). They are local and have great prices!
courtney says
I’m impressed with your organization! Where do you plan to do your grocery shopping? I hit up Aldi and Kroger last week and all I have left to get this week is the ham and frozen strawberries to add to Champagne.
Brittany Dixon says
I haven’t decided yet where to shop! I got a few things at Whole Foods yesterday, I’ll get our meat from a local place, then I am thinking of splitting between Lowe’s Foods and Publix. I guess I better figure that out! and ohhh. love the champagne idea!
Alyssa says
I find for a big holiday doing an “assembly line” lets family participate but also doesn’t result in too many cooks in the kitchen! A dish like latkes for Hanukah is great for this. A few people peel and grate potatoes, a few mix together with the other ingredients, and 1-2 people fry them up. That way you can keep it going and churn out enough for everyone to eat at once π
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my goodness YUM I love latkes (who doesn’t?!) and the assembly line idea is a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing!
Laura says
Brittany, your post today made me happy! Great to hear about your wonderful plans with family for the holidays! Your menu looks wonderful! I am starting my own tradition of a scaled back “feast of the seven fishes” which will include at least 3 cold seafood appetizers, like shrimp cocktail, wild langostino lobster tails (Costco), and smoked trout or salmon… in the future my vision is to smoke my own fish but for now that feels too ambitious with my little ones.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wow that sounds delicious! I kudos for you for keeping expectations real. I’ve gotten carried away thinking I can make everything from scratch before- a lesson learned the hard way π
Nadine Clark says
Your meals sound great! I would add maybe something a little creamy and decadent to Monday night’s meal. Like scalloped potatoes or mac n cheese?
I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season! And thank God for your dad’s primary care doctor–not all doctors are that thorough!
Brittany Dixon says
I definitely think I need another carb now that I’ve heard a couple people suggestion it, so thank you! I’m on it!
Amanda says
What Christmas movies have you watched? I have a four-year-old daughter and am looking for suggestions. I’ve promised her a pajama Christmas movie marathon on Saturday. Thanks!
katie says
Eloise at Christmas if you can find it! Super cute!
Brittany Dixon says
Christmas movie marathon in pajamas is right up my alley! Sounds amazing! We’ve watched:
-Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas
-Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas
-Snowed in at The House of Mouse
-How the Grinch Stole Christmas
-Rudolph (and the other claymation classics)
-Frosty the Snowman
-Home Alone (Kaitlyn wasn’t super into this one, not surprisingly)
-Prep and Landing (short but I thought it was super cute!)
-The Polar Express
-Charlie Brown Christmas
-Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
-Arthur Christmas
-Elf (again, Kaitlyn not super into this one)
and I just saw there is a Troll Holiday Special of Netflix so we’ll probably watch that too.
Christmas movies are my absolute favorite <3 Have fun!
Elizabeth says
I can’t make breakfast without bacon or sausage, they love it! That’s the only thing I would add π
Katie says
I make the same things every year! Salmon on Christmas Eve and a Roast on Christmas Day. This year I ordered cinnamon rolls from our favorite local bakery and I’m making a spinach strata to balance it out. Getting excited just thinking about it!
Nicky B says
I’ve been praying for you and your family since you wrote your post! I envy your eating π My husband will only eat vegetables as a side dish and my almost 2yr old daughter Hayden will only eat hummus, sometimes avocados, and any veggie I’m able to sneak into a smoothie. Also–as a fellow Type A’er myself your lists always get me excited, haha!
Brittany Dixon says
Hey a two year old that is eating hummus and avocados sounds like a win! And thank goodness for smoothies, right? They were Kaitlyn’s go-to meal for a while. π
Jenn says
Ive been on the fence about Home Alone, but you thought it was ok for her age?
My New Years resolutions are to make grocery list like you do π
Brittany Dixon says
I was definitely on the fence about it when I found it for $5 at Walmart. I was mostly worried about her getting the idea of robbery/burglars in her head, but it really didn’t phase her and she thought Kevin’s antics were HILARIOUS. I’m a bit strict about language (the word butthead doesn’t sit well with me), but the words were few and far between.
I should note though that Hailey in general is not sensitive to scary stuff, but I could see it not sitting as well with my niece who is more sensitive to that kind of material (the end of Mickey’s Christmas Carol for example).
Jen says
We always do lasagna on Christmas eve. A tradition my Aunt started for as long as I remember. She is no longer with us so I will be continuing her tradition. She always also had a HUGE cookie tray put together of cookies she made. She would freeze the cookies and then take them all out of the freezer and assemble huge trays of them.
Brianne Leisey says
I am preparing for hosting a 3 day NYE weekend for family and came to this post for inspiration (per usual) π
Question about freezing items. Do you construct & freeze, then bake? Or do you bake, then freeze & reheat? I would love to make as much as possible ahead of time. Thanks in advance!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh how fun! Our Christmas went so well with this menu so I hope yours does too! I construct and freeze, then pulled them out of the freezer to defrost 24 hours a head of time, then baked when I needed them. It worked really well!