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Merry almost Christmas, you guys! I don’t know about you, but the second the calendar hits December, my whole kitchen turns into a holiday production, lol!
The oven runs nonstop and the counters disappear under bowls and cookie sheets. Not that I’m complaining, haha!
Since the big day is only a couple of short weeks away, I’ve gathered 20 adorable christmas menu ideas the entire table will fight over.
From a roasted turkey platter to gingerbread trees and homemade gifts, there’s something here for every kind of host. If you’re new to holiday cooking, don’t fret. Most of these are easier than they look!
Under each one I’ve added the little details you actually want to know, plus a link to the full step-by-step recipe.
CHRISTMAS MENU IDEAS
1. Herb Roasted Turkey Platter
We’re starting off strong with the herb roasted turkey platter. Butter under the skin with fresh rosemary and thyme keeps every slice juicy.
This is the centerpiece my whole family photographs before anyone’s allowed to touch it, haha!
Even the leftovers make an amazing sandwich the next day.
- The bird everyone photographs first
- Rests for twenty minutes before carving
- Rosemary tucked right under the skin
2. Honey Glazed Ham
Honey glazed ham fills the whole house with that Christmas morning smell. The glaze caramelizes into sticky edges everyone fights over.
He has never once shared it with the rest of us. Who does that, honestly?
- Sticky edges, zero apologies
- Brushed with glaze three separate times
- Leftovers make excellent sandwiches
3. Garlic Mashed Potatoes Bowl
Garlic mashed potatoes belong in a big bowl right in the center of the table. Roasted garlic keeps things mellow instead of sharp. I make double the batch now because it vanishes before anything else does.
Every year, without fail, it disappears first!
- Gone before the gravy boat empties
- Roasted garlic instead of raw
- Extra butter is never optional here
4. Cranberry Orange Glazed Carrots
Cranberry orange glazed carrots bring color the table actually needs. The glaze turns out tart, sweet and a little sticky. I sneak these onto my picky nephew’s plate every single year.
Somehow he still eats every last one. Who doesn’t love that?
- The one vegetable nobody skips
- Fresh orange zest stirred in at the end
- Roasts in under thirty minutes
5. Creamy Green Bean Casserole
Is it really Christmas dinner without a green bean casserole? Not in my book! Crispy fried onions on top make the whole dish worth it.
I keep printing it out anyway, just in case.
- The dish everyone asks about, nobody makes
- Homemade sauce instead of the can
- Onions go on twice for crunch
6. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bar
This peppermint hot chocolate bar is one of my favorite christmas drink ideas because guests basically build their own dessert. Crushed candy canes, whipped cream and little marshmallows sit out for everyone to grab.
The neighborhood kids sneak extra marshmallows every single time. Honestly, same!
- Guests build their own, chaos included
- Candy canes crushed the night before
- Marshmallows disappear fastest, always
7. Spiced Apple Cider Mocktail
Spiced apple cider mocktail works for absolutely everyone at the table. Cinnamon sticks and orange slices float on top for that fancy touch. I keep the pot simmering on the stove all afternoon because the smell alone gets compliments.
It basically does my decorating job for me!
- Simmers all afternoon, smells incredible
- Cinnamon sticks float on top
- Kid friendly and grown up approved
8. Cranberry Ginger Sparkling Punch
How so pretty is this cranberry ginger sparkling punch? I always make a double batch because someone finishes the first one before guests even arrive.
Ginger cider adds a little fizz and bite that makes it taste fancier than it actually is. Nobody ever guesses how easy it was, haha!
- Looks fancy, takes ten minutes
- Fresh cranberries frozen for ice cubes
- Ginger cider adds all the fizz
9. Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Chocolate peppermint bark is one of those christmas treat ideas that takes minutes but looks like a candy shop made it. Two layers of chocolate get topped with crushed candy canes for crunch.
This is the tin I bring to literally every gathering, without fail.
It also happens to be the first thing to disappear.
- Candy shop looks, ten minute effort
- Two chocolate layers, dark then white
- Candy canes crushed while still wrapped
10. Santa Hat Strawberry Bites
Aww, how sweet are these Santa hat strawberry bites? They eat half the marshmallow hats before the tray is even done.
They’re the treat that gets snapped up first at every cookie exchange. I never bring enough, lol!
- First thing gone at the cookie swap
- Marshmallow hat piped with white icing
11. Reindeer Pretzel Snacks
Reindeer pretzel snacks are perfect for a classroom party. Pretzels become antlers, a chocolate candy becomes the nose and suddenly you have a reindeer.
I have made peace with reindeer snacks in February, haha!
- Classroom party hero, no baking required
- Pretzels twisted into antlers
12. Snowman Buttercream Cupcakes
Snowman buttercream cupcakes are one of the cutest christmas cupcake ideas out there. How cute is this? A piping bag, white frosting and a few chocolate chips is basically the whole trick.
I always tell people it took hours because the compliments feel better that way.
Talk about talent, twenty minutes well spent!
- Round piping tip makes the whole snowman
- Chocolate chips for eyes and buttons
13. Red Velvet Wreath Cupcakes
Red velvet wreath cupcakes get arranged in a circle so the platter looks like one giant wreath. Green frosting leaves and tiny red candy berries finish the look.
This is the tray that gets photographed before anyone’s allowed a bite. Am I right?
- One platter, whole wreath effect
- Cupcakes arranged in a circle
- Green frosting leaves piped last
14. Peppermint Swirl Cupcake Toppers
Peppermint swirl cupcake toppers turn a plain cupcake into something bakery worthy. A two tone piping bag creates the swirl in one single pass. I have taken full credit for these at three different parties now, lol!
No shame in that shortcut. It’s basically cheating in the best way!
- Bakery swirl, zero actual skill
- Two tone piping bag does the work
- Crushed peppermint dusted on top
15. Cheesy Baked Ziti Dish
Cheesy baked ziti is a christmas potluck ideas champion because it travels well and feeds a crowd. Three cheeses melt together into one bubbly dish. I bring this every year because I am tired of hauling home leftovers.
This is the pan that always comes back empty, no leftovers, ever!
- Feeds a crowd, travels like a dream
- Three cheeses melted right in
- Bakes covered so it stays saucy
16. Slow Cooker Meatball Platter
Slow cooker meatball platter is the easiest thing you will bring to a party this year. Frozen meatballs simmer in sauce for hours with basically zero effort. I let mine run all afternoon while I do literally anything else.
Nobody needs to know how little work went into it, lol!
- Zero effort, full credit anyway
- Frozen meatballs need no rolling
- Sauce simmers low for hours
17. Stacked Gingerbread Star Tree
This stacked gingerbread star tree is one of the prettiest gingerbread christmas tree ideas around. Star shaped cookies stack smallest to largest with icing holding each layer together. I ruined my first three attempts before the icing finally set right.
It looks complicated but it’s really just cookie geometry, haha!
- Cookie geometry, fancy final result
- Stars cut in five graduating sizes
- Royal icing acts as the glue
18. Gingerbread Cone Tree Village
Who says gingerbread trees need to be flat? This gingerbread cone tree village turns sugar cones into tiny frosted forests.
The whole scene ends up looking wonderfully overdressed. Who could resist that?
- Sugar cones become a tiny forest
- Sugar cones frosted in green swirls
- Mini candies act as ornaments
19. Mason Jar Cocoa Mix
Mason jar cocoa mix is one of my favorite home made christmas gift ideas because it costs almost nothing and looks adorable tied up with ribbon. Layer the cocoa, marshmallows and chocolate chips right in the jar.
The neighbors get one every single year without fail.
It takes ten minutes and somehow still feels thoughtful.
- Costs pennies, looks like a splurge
- Layered so every ingredient shows
- Ribbon tag with cooking directions
20. Hand Poured Soy Candles
Last but definitely not least, we have hand poured soy candles. Soy wax, a cotton wick and your favorite scent is honestly the whole ingredient list.
Pour them into little jars, add a label and the coworkers are sorted. No baking involved and the scent fills the whole kitchen while it sets!
- The gift that fills the kitchen with scent
- Soy wax poured at the right temp
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emma
