Planning your Christmas meals doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Whether you're hosting a big holiday gathering, planning a cozy Christmas Eve dinner, or keeping things simple on Christmas Day, this guide to the Best Christmas Recipes and Menu Ideas is here to help. From festive mains and crowd pleasing sides to holiday appetizers, desserts, and make ahead options, you'll find everything you need to plan a delicious and memorable Christmas menu.
Christmas is all about gathering around the table, sharing comforting food, and enjoying time together. But between decorating, gift shopping, and holiday events, deciding what to cook can quickly become stressful. That's why this post is designed to help you plan ahead with ease, offering flexible menu ideas with festive recipes, simple planning tips, and plenty of recipes you can mix and match based on your schedule, guest list, and cooking style.
To make planning even easier, we've created free printable Christmas menus you can download and use as a starting point for your holiday meals. Whether you're sticking to classic traditions, planning a relaxed Christmas Day, or hosting a festive holiday gathering this December, there's a ready made menu option below to help you stay organized and stress free.
Jump to:
- Christmas Menu Ideas at a Glance
- Christmas Dinner Mains
- Christmas Appetizers and Starters
- Christmas Side Dishes
- Christmas Sauces, Gravies, and Condiments
- Christmas Drinks
- Christmas Dessert
- Christmas Breakfast and Brunch Ideas
- Make Ahead Christmas Recipes
- Christmas Leftover Recipes
- Printable Christmas Menus
- Plan Your Christmas Menu
- Tips for Planning the Best Christmas Dinner Menu
- Holiday Baking Guide (with Free Printable Checklists!)
- Tried any of these Christmas recipes?
- Recipe
- Comments
Christmas Menu Ideas at a Glance
This post is designed to be a flexible planning tool. You can build your own Christmas menu by mixing and matching recipes from each section, or you can use one of our ready made printable Christmas menus to simplify planning even more.
Below you'll find Christmas dinner ideas for all the categories including Christmas mains, appetizers, side dishes, desserts, and even breakfast and brunch. Scroll through, bookmark your favorites, or grab the printable menus to keep everything organized while you plan your holiday meals.
Christmas Dinner Mains
Christmas mains are the heart of the holiday table. Whether you love a classic roast, a glazed ham, or something a little different, these main dishes are festive, flavorful, and perfect for serving a crowd. Choose one standout centerpiece and build the rest of your menu around it.
Classic Christmas Mains
- Easy Roast Turkey Recipe (Best Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey)
- Prime Rib Roast
- Holiday Glazed Baked Ham
- Roast Beef
Alternative & Non-Traditional Mains
Christmas Appetizers and Starters
Christmas appetizers set the tone for the entire meal. Think easy finger foods, cozy soups, and light starters that keep guests happy while the main dishes finish cooking. These are perfect for Christmas Eve gatherings, cocktail hours, or casual holiday entertaining.
Christmas Appetizers
Soups and Salads
Christmas Side Dishes
Side dishes are where Christmas menus really shine. From creamy potatoes and roasted vegetables to warm breads and make ahead casseroles, these recipes balance comfort and flavor and pair beautifully with any main dish. Many can be prepped in advance to make Christmas Day cooking easier. See all Christmas sides.
Potato Side Dishes
- The Best and Creamiest Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes
- Creamy Potatoes Au Gratin
- Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Sides
Vegetable Sides
- Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Green Beans Almondine
- Roasted Carrots
- Best Creamed Spinach (Steakhouse Style)
- Mashed Cauliflower
- Collard Greens with Bacon
Bread and Rolls
Casseroles and Make-Ahead Sides
Christmas Sauces, Gravies, and Condiments
No Christmas meal is complete without the finishing touches. Gravy, cranberry sauce, and simple condiments add extra flavor and bring the entire menu together. These small additions make a big impact and are often easy to prepare ahead of time.
- Classic Homemade Turkey Gravy (from Drippings or Broth)
- Easy Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
- Jellied Cranberry Sauce
- Mushroom Gravy
Christmas Drinks
No holiday gathering is complete without something festive to sip on. These Christmas drink recipes include cozy warm beverages and non alcoholic options everyone can enjoy. From make ahead punches to simple drinks you can mix as guests arrive, these recipes help set the mood and keep entertaining easy, whether you're hosting Christmas Eve, Christmas dinner, or a casual holiday get together.
- Non-Alcoholic Homemade Eggnog
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Slow Cooker Apple Cider
- White Hot Chocolate
Christmas Dessert
Christmas desserts are all about indulgence. From classic cakes and pies to cookie trays and festive bars, these sweet treats are perfect for ending your meal or enjoying throughout the holiday season. Many of these desserts are also great for gifting or holiday parties. See all Christmas desserts.
Christmas Cakes and Cheesecakes
- Holiday Yule Log Cake (Bûche de Noël)
- Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Maple Cinnamon Glaze
- Christmas Cupcakes
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Christmas Cookies and Bars
- Christmas Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- M&M Christmas Cookies
- Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Cornflake Christmas Wreath Cookies
Holiday Cookie Week
If you're planning a full holiday cookie spread, don't miss our annual Christmas Cookie Week, featuring festive cookie recipes perfect for trays and gift boxes. You'll find everything from nostalgic classics and colourful decorated cookies to creative flavours and fun themed bakes that make Cookie Week such a favourite holiday tradition.
Christmas Pies and Tarts
Christmas Breakfast and Brunch Ideas
Christmas morning calls for something special, but not stressful. These breakfast and brunch recipes are cozy, comforting, and often make ahead friendly, so you can enjoy the morning without spending it in the kitchen. Perfect for slow mornings, pajamas, and coffee refills.
Make Ahead Christmas Recipes
Planning ahead is one of the best ways to enjoy Christmas without rushing. These make ahead Christmas recipes can be prepped or fully cooked in advance, then reheated when needed. They're ideal for busy schedules, hosting multiple meals, or simply making Christmas Day more relaxed.
Christmas Leftover Recipes
Christmas leftovers are one of the best parts of the holiday. From extra roast turkey and ham to leftover vegetables and sides, these recipes help you turn what's left in the fridge into easy, comforting meals you'll actually look forward to eating. Whether you're reheating favorites or transforming them into soups, casseroles, sandwiches, or breakfast dishes, these Christmas leftover recipes make the most of every bite and help stretch your holiday cooking into the next few days.
- Leftover Mashed Potato Gnocchi
- Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
- Cranberry Sauce Parfait
- Shredded Beef Enchiladas
Printable Christmas Menus
To make holiday planning even easier, we've created six printable Christmas menus you can download and use as is, or customize to fit your needs. Each menu includes a complete lineup of mains, sides, and desserts so you don't have to start from scratch.
Here's what's inside the pack:
- Classic Christmas Dinner Menu - A traditional holiday feast with a festive main, comforting sides, and a classic dessert.
- Christmas Eve Comfort Menu - Cozy, relaxed dishes perfect for Christmas Eve gatherings and casual entertaining.
- Make-Ahead Christmas Menu - Prep-friendly recipes designed to keep Christmas Day calm and stress-free.
- Small Gathering Christmas Menu - A scaled-down menu ideal for intimate dinners without sacrificing flavor.
- Simple No-Fuss Christmas Menu - Easy, low-stress holiday favorites that still feel special.
- Vegetarian Christmas Menu -
free download!
Get the Printable Christmas Menus
Download all 6 menus and keep them handy as you plan your holiday meals.
Plan Your Christmas Menu
When it comes to planning your Christmas menu, keep it simple and flexible. Choose one main dish, a few sides you love, and one or two desserts, and let the rest go. Not everything needs to be homemade, and prepping a few dishes ahead of time can make a big difference.
Use the printable Christmas menus as a starting point, swap in your favorite recipes, and plan around your schedule, not perfection. The goal is a delicious meal, a relaxed kitchen, and more time spent enjoying the holiday with the people you love.
Bookmark this post, save the printable menus, and come back to it anytime you need Christmas dinner inspiration.
Tips for Planning the Best Christmas Dinner Menu
Planning your Christmas menu ahead of time makes everything else fall into place. When you know exactly what you're serving, grocery shopping becomes easier, prep feels more manageable, and the day itself runs much more smoothly.
- Plan your menu early. This allows you to shop efficiently and take advantage of make ahead recipes. Many Christmas dishes can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or frozen according to recipe instructions.
- Make your main course fresh on the day of serving. This keeps it tasting its best and ensures your centerpiece dish feels special and celebratory.
- Balance fresh and make ahead sides. Some sides are best made fresh, but many can be prepared ahead and reheated. Great make ahead options include creamy mashed potatoes, stovetop mac and cheese with white cheddar, creamy garlic mashed cauliflower, and easy cranberry sauce.
- Prep soups and salads in advance. Soups can usually be made up to five days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. For salads, prep the vegetables and dressing ahead of time, then assemble just before serving.
- Make desserts ahead whenever possible. Most desserts can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. Some can even be frozen weeks ahead and reheated in the oven.
- Mix homemade and store bought. There's nothing wrong with getting a little help. If baking a dessert feels overwhelming, a store bought cake or pie is a perfectly acceptable shortcut.
- Prep ingredients early. Chop vegetables, measure ingredients, and prepare dressings in advance. Store everything in airtight containers in the refrigerator so cooking feels calm and organized.
- Set the table the night before. Lay out your dinnerware, flatware, glasses, napkins, and decorations ahead of time. It's one less thing to think about on Christmas Day.
plan now!
Holiday Baking Guide (with Free Printable Checklists!)
For even more stress free baking and prep tips, check out our Holiday Baking Guide, complete with printable baking checklists and planning tools.
Tried any of these Christmas recipes?
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and rating for the Christmas recipe that you made to share your feedback. Your reviews help others discover the recipe and help me keep creating more free recipes for you. Snap a photo and tag me on social media @aheadofthyme too.
Recipe
Best Christmas Recipes and Menu
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Yield: 4-8 1x
Description
The best Christmas recipes and menu includes appetizers, main course, side dishes, soup and salad, bread, dessert and drinks for a festive holiday dinner.Â
Ingredients
- 1-3 appetizers
- 1 main course
- 2-4 sides
- 1 soup and/or salad
- 1-2 bread
- 1-2 desserts
- 1 holiday drink
Instructions
- Plan your menu ahead of time. This will make your grocery runs go so much more smoothly, when you know exactly what you are preparing far in advance. Plus, you can even start preparing some of these Christmas dishes ahead of time. Some can be frozen and reheated from frozen, others can be made and stored in an airtight container for a few days at room temperature or in the refrigerator, according to recipe directions.
- Make your main course fresh on the day of serving.
- Some sides should also be made fresh on the day of serving, but there are many that can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator and reheated. Some easy make ahead sides are creamy mashed potatoes, stovetop mac and cheese with white cheddar, creamy garlic mashed cauliflower, and easy make ahead cranberry sauce.
- All soup can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Salads can be prepared in advance (chopping vegetables and mixing the dressing ingredients together), and assembled before serving.
- Most dessert can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container either at room temperature or in the refrigerator . Some can even be made weeks in advance, frozen, and reheated in the oven.
- You can mix homemade and storebought. There is nothing wrong with getting some help by incorporating storebought items into your menu. If baking Christmas dessert is stressing you out, then just pick up a cake from the store instead.
- Prep your ingredients as much as possible. Once you have decided on the dishes to serve, prepare as much as you can in advance. Whether that is chopping vegetables, beating eggs, or preparing salad dressings. You can store all your prepared ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Set the table the night before. Take out the fancy dinnerware, flatware, glasses, placemats, and napkins and set the table the night before. Don't forget any special decorations and centrepieces. It's one less thing to worry about on Christmas.
- Prep Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Christmas
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 500
This post was originally published in 2020. It has since been updated with more helpful content.
Hina Munawar says
I love yule cake, I always follow my mother's recipe to make it. This time I will follow yours because it's quite simple and easy.
Tami Price says
This recipe was everything I needed for my family dinner. From start to finish this recipe was absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for sharing!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Awesome!! So glad you used the Christmas menu for your dinner 🙂
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
What an absolutely brilliant post! I LOVE the fact that you covered all of Christmas day from breakfast to drinks! Those Orange Cranberry Scones are totally calling my name!
Merry Christmas!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you! Let me know if you make them! 🙂