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Need Dinner Ideas for Christmas Eve


tntsmomie

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We orginally planned on eating out for Christmas Eve -- a late lunch/early dinner.

Plans changed yesterday when I found out the restuarant we planned to go to closes at 2...just too early for dinner.

 

Now, we're scrambling trying to figure out what's for dinner Christmas Eve.

 

 

What does you family do??

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A few years ago we started having either stuffed shells or lasgana, salad and some good italian bread. This way if it's just us then I only need to make one pan but if we have company then I'll make 2 pans. They can made early in the day or the night before and just keep chilled in the frig until time to pop into the oven. No fuss no muss!
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On the years we're home (few and far between) I like to do something very different or a family favorite. Crawfish boil and jambalaya is one of our favs, but now the kids love tacos- which we don't have very often.

 

This year, we're going to my MILs at 3:00- we'll be home early, but hungry. I am thinking about making up some chicken strips and spinach dip- maybe some bacon cheese fries. We LOVE appetizers for dinner!

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We used to be with my Dad's family on Christmas Eve and would have a big spagetti dinner with salad and garlic bread.

 

Then that tradition changed and we rotate having Christmas Eve with either my mom's family or my In-Laws, then we have Christmas with the other. (This year, we're having to mix things up again because my FIL passed away over the summer and MIL has no other family close.)

 

But anyway, this year, we are attending 3 different Christmas dinners... one, Christmas Eve, is at our house with MIL, then Christmas with my mom's family (MIL comes with us, but still wanted to have a day with just her... Christmas Eve), and late Christmas with my dad's family.

 

For ALL three of these meals, we have what is traditionally thought of as a Thanksgiving meal...

 

Turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, dressing, green bean casserole, rolls, pies for dessert... My DH and DSs are all OBSESSED with these Holiday foods, so even though it sounds like a bit of overkill to me, they are excited. We never have leftovers from Christmas day or our late Christmas, so they convinced me to make everything here on Christmas Eve so we would have stuff for sandwiches, etc.

 

My 7 year old, who is tall and thin, but eats like a horse, seems to be counting down, not to opening gifts, or being visited by Santa, but until the ham is done- LOL.

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We go to my hubby's grandparents for a family gathering and there is usually bbq sandwiches, potato casserole, veggies and fruits, and lots of candies and cookies. Last year my hubby picked up take out Chinese on Christmas Eve afternoon and we warmed it up after we put our son to bed and was putting together Santa gifts. We plan on doing it again this year too.
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Great ideas so far! Thanks everyone!

 

 

We're doing a Mexican feast on Christmas Day. Used to be traditional for our Christmas Eve when I was growing up...but I changed it this year. I didn't want to do the big turkey, etc on Christmas this year.

 

I like the idea ameyers gave about appetizers for dinner. And berry1014's idea about lasagna. DH has been asking for some. We may just do that.

 

 

 

But keep the ideas coming! No decisions have been made yet. ;)

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We do the Prime Rib and Honeybaked Ham dinner, with various sides, at my house, then desserts at my mom's condo, with opening presents and stockings there. When my nephew is in town, we start at his house with appetizers, soups and salads, the to my house 10 miles away, then mom's place, 3 miles away. It's our own little parade!

 

We eat lots of leftovers the next day for Christmas dinner (with a few new veggies) and I take the Ham bone and make a big pot of soup beans for New Year's day. That has to be my favorite meal!

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It looks like we will be snowed in this year so I re-planned today.

 

For Christmas Eve:

Snacks and movies all day.

 

Taco Dip w/chips, guacamole w/chips, cheese, sausage, crackers, vegi w/dip, apple pie, christmas candy, cheese spread.

 

Christmas Day:

Breakfast:

Breakfast Casserole

Donuts

Chocolate Milk

OJ

 

Lunch: Leftover Snacks

 

Supper:

Baked Ziti (prep the night before)

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Dessert???-I just realized I don't one picked out.

 

On Sunday when the weather is better my family is coming over for the traditional turkey/ ham dinner with all the sides.

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I'm with the ones saying spaghetti or lasagna. But then I really love both. Even a family size frozen Stouffer's lasagna is pretty good.

 

If you are going to do appetizers, one of our family hits is: brown ground sausage half regular, half spicy, drain grease, add Velveeta until melted, place mini rye bread slices on a cookie sheet, add a glob of the sausage/Velveeta mix to each slice, put in the oven to brown cheese and toast bread. It is so yummy and very easy. It's good on any type of mini bread, but the rye bread just adds another flavor to the mixture.

 

Also if you're going to do soups and like split pea soup, if you have a Honey Baked Ham near you they sell ham bones for $5. Makes for some really good split pea soup.

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I'm with the ones saying spaghetti or lasagna. But then I really love both. Even a family size frozen Stouffer's lasagna is pretty good.

 

If you are going to do appetizers, one of our family hits is: brown ground sausage half regular, half spicy, drain grease, add Velveeta until melted, place mini rye bread slices on a cookie sheet, add a glob of the sausage/Velveeta mix to each slice, put in the oven to brown cheese and toast bread. It is so yummy and very easy. It's good on any type of mini bread, but the rye bread just adds another flavor to the mixture.

 

Also if you're going to do soups and like split pea soup, if you have a Honey Baked Ham near you they sell ham bones for $5. Makes for some really good split pea soup.

do you have to order the ham bone or just go in ?

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do you have to order the ham bone or just go in ?

You just go in. Probably best to go in early because the bones are from the ham they used to make their deli sandwiches. So how busy their deli was the previous day determines how many ham bones they have. But they only use the spiral cut part of the ham, so the bone comes with all that uncut ham on the bottom. Makes great homemade sandwiches and still leaves plenty of ham on the bone for soups.

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