Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas

The best part of a traditional Christmas dinner is the tradition. Using recipes, certain dishes and special silver ware can be part of your family tradition. Every ones' traditional dinner varies due to what may have been added or excluded over the years.

Usually, if it's a family tradition to cook a ham at Christmas then you can usually bet that there will be one on the dinner table for many years to come. Some people don't like the idea of a tradition Christmas dinner because it's usually the same thing every year but, they fail to realize it only comes once a year. Here are a few basic ideas for a Traditional Christmas dinner.

Meats

Choosing the meat for Christmas dinner is not hard. Like a turkey to Thanksgiving, a ham is usually associated with Traditional Christmas dinners. While it is very customary to have a ham, there are no rules that say you have to have one. If you do prefer to have ham but would like something other then a traditional, baked one, then try a smoked ham.

Also, try using maple syrup, brown sugar, pear juice, cherry juice or pineapple juice to flavor your ham. Using juices and sugars will defiantly change the taste, giving it a delicious sweet flavor. Another good thing about having a ham is that if you don't have time to cook one or don't know how, you can buy hams that are pre-cooked and pre-cut. You can then season them to your desire and heat them up. Here are a few other ideas that you could cook with or instead of a ham for your traditional Christmas Dinner

Baked Turkey
Fried Turkey
Fried Chicken
Baked Chicken

Vegetables

One of the easiest things about Christmas dinner is the vegetables. You can use fresh or canned vegetables and can also prepare them the day before allowing you more time by simply heating them instead of preparing them. Choose a few vegetables that you know your guests will enjoy!

Mashed Potatoes
Turnip Greens
Baked Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
Carrots
Green Beans
New Potatoes
Collards
Rutabagas
Squash
Okra
Salad
Creamed Corn
Sliced Tomatoes
Home Fries
Mustard Greens

Dishes

In addition to meats and veggies you may want a few more side items to go with your Christmas feast.. Here are a few side dish ideas to add to your Christmas dinner. You can also use some of your favorite recipes passed down from family and friends.

Sweet Potato Casserole
Lasagna
Chicken and Dumplings
Scalloped Potatoes
Chicken Casserole
Macaroni and Cheese
Pasta Salad
Stuffing or Dressing
Giblet Gravy
Potato Salad
Beef Stew or Favorite Soup

Deserts

Pies, pies and more pies! There's no such thing Christmas dinner without a desert. Pies are very popular at Christmas dinner. Pecan, pumpkin and apple are just a few of the traditional Christmas pies. You may also want to serve other deserts as well. Here are few ideas for deserts that you can serve at your Christmas dinner.

Pumpkin Pie
Cookies
Blueberry Pie
Sweet Potato Pie
Cheese Cake
Pecan Pie
Chocolate Delight
Apple Pie
Cheesecake
Chocolate Pie

Any of your favorite desert recipes- Especially, if they includes cinnamon

Christmas is one of the most enjoyable times of the year. Family and friends gather to eat and celebrate! Make your Christmas dinner a joyful one with a great meal! And what ever you do, don't forget the sweet tea!