The holiday season is all about spending time with those around you. What better way to spend your time than indulging in some delicious food? Here are five items that you must include in your winter dinner spread to make it a memorable one.
The Main Meat
While the holiday season is celebrated differently by many, there’s typically a main course of meat to enjoy. This could be a ham, a turkey, or a chicken. If you’re not quite sure what everyone may want, consider making a turducken dish. This is a chicken stuffed inside a duck which is then stuffed inside of a turkey. This can allow a great spread that gives guests the choice of their desire main course.
Desserts Galore
The desserts are a necessity with the holiday season. You should supply some desserts for your guests to enjoy such as pies and crisps. However, realize that most guests will bring holiday cookies as a thank you gift for the occasion. So, you may want to skip adding cookies to your dessert list as you can likely expect them to arrive from your guests.
Adult Beverages
The holiday season is a great time to hit up the liquor store. Whether you’re dealing with awkward conversations with your in-laws or you just want to warm up that cold winter chill, adult beverages are the way to go. Consider crafting a spiked cider or punch to make your holiday spread look festive.
Vegetables
You want to provide your guests with a heart-healthy meal complete with some vegetables. The most common for Christmas dinner include yams, carrots, and parsnips. However, you can pretty much include any sort of vegetables that you prefer. If you have a large number of dinner guests coming, it’s a good idea to have a few different vegetable options.
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
A staple of the holiday season, mashed potatoes and gravy are a must to include in your dinner spread. You can consider spicing up your mashed potatoes with seasonings like garlic or by roasting red potatoes instead. It’s a good idea to heat a couple of different types of gravy such as chicken and beef so that your guests have a choice in which one they use for their meal.
The holiday season is the perfect time of year to spend indoors in the warm embrace of family. Understanding how to construct the perfect dinner spread isn’t too difficult. As long as you include the staples listed out above, you’ll be on your way to planning the perfect holiday meal.