Christmas Party Menu Ideas
- Christmas cookies make a tasty addition to any Christmas party menu.gingerbread image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
Christmas party menus vary depending on the level of formality desired and the number of people attending the party. For a small intimate group of family or friends, choose a formal meal. For a laid-back gathering of coworkers or friends, consider planning a dessert-only or appetizer-only menu. For party menus, an important part of the party involves the presentation of the food. Choose food items that look and smell appealing and present them on ornate serving dishes. - A formal Christmas meal may feature a meat such as turkey, ham or both. Other traditional dishes include bread or cornbread stuffing, mashed or scalloped potatoes, candied yams, green beans and buttered dinner rolls. Add at least one or two desserts such as a red velvet cake and pecan pie along with wine or eggnog to drink. Be sure to include an entrée for any vegetarians or vegans in attendance.
- For an informal gathering, server finger foods and appetizers. Include food items such as assorted cheeses, cheese straws, cheese balls and crackers, bread sticks, olives, nuts, pigs in blankets, mini bread puddings, chicken salad sandwiches, trail mix, deviled eggs, vegetables with dip, layered Mexican dips with tortilla chips and quiches with red and green bell peppers for a festive look. Add in a few desserts such as fudge squares or cookies. When serving appetizers only, choose a variety of items and showcase each on a decorative serving tray.
- Dessert-only parties is a tradition in the U.K.apple cake image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
The desserts-only menu option allows hosts and hostesses to create sugary, sweet treats for their guests. Options may include a coconut cake, gingerbread, peppermint bark, fruit cake, candy cane meringue cookies and sugar cookies. Serve drinks such as apple cider, eggnog and spiced tea. When hosting a dessert party, you may want to invite guests to bring a favorite Christmas dessert to share, along with the recipe.
