Hosting Christmas dinner this year? Christmas dinner is always a highlight of the year and a chance to spend quality time with your loved ones. Cooking Christmas dinner is also daunting even for a confident cook, especially if you have not done it before. This post will show you how to create a memorable Christmas dinner that is sure to wow your guests and help you feel prepared.
Planning the Perfect Menu for a Festive Feast
First, you need to plan the menu and pick dishes that work well together. Of course, there are a few classics when it comes to Christmas dinner. Ideas for starters include prawn cocktail, smoked salmon, and stuffed mushrooms. Of course, Turkey is traditional as a main, but you could opt for a honey-glazed ham or beef Wellington. It’s important to order meat for Christmas well in advance to ensure you get the best quality. Obviously, there are many side dishes to consider, including roast potatoes and parsnips, broccoli, carrot, peas, and sauces like gravy, bread sauce, and cranberry sauce. For pudding, you have Christmas pudding, trifle, or yule log as good options. It is helpful to do as much as you can ahead of time and work out your timings in advance.
Setting the Scene: Tips for a Beautiful Holiday Table
To set the scene, you want to create a beautiful holiday table that will enhance the Christmas dinner experience. A tablecloth or runner can transform your table, while table scatter can add character without taking up valuable table space. You will also want to consider lighting – candles or string lights can help create a cosy and magical feel. Crucially, make sure that you have enough space on the table for all of the dishes and so that everyone can eat comfortably.
Finishing Touches: Presentation Tips to Wow Your Guests
Presentation is key for impressing your guests before they have even taken a bite. If you are plating up individually, carefully position each item so that the plate does not become a mess. You can also tidy up plates with the use of kitchen towels. If you are serving dishes on the table, use matching platters and bowls that will impress and make it easy for people to get the food that they want.
Cooking Christmas dinner can be daunting even for an experienced cook. The advice in this post should help you feel more prepared and give you a few ideas for ways that you can wow your guests and host a Christmas party that will have your guests raving well into the new year.
