Party Panache, Christmas Eve Lunch with Santa
Do you have a long standing Christmas tradition or way you always celebrate the holiday? We gather with extended family on Christmas Eve at our house. We meet for lunch rather than dinner, so families can go to evening church services or get the little ones in bed
Things have changed as more and more babies arrived, those days of leisurely dinners at the table are gone for a while, and things have to be consumed on the go in between diaper changes, and runny noses…
Since there are 11 children, ranging from 8 months to 8 years old, I created a menu with kid friendly, easy to eat, bite sized food, with nothing too messy… they’re not always little angels 😇
They’re more like wild horses 🐎
The top half of the menu is geared for the kiddos mainly, but the adults tend to grab these things too~
I always make Pigs in a Blanket, cocktail smokies rolled up in crescent roll dough and baked, because the kids {and grown-ups!} devour them. Make a ton, you can always freeze leftovers, but you probably won’t have any
Presentation is everything, just put them on a cute platter or tray, and go your merry way. You can get more presentation ideas here
Peanut butter Sushi is simply peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches, made on thin bread, rolled up and cut like sushi, then stacked in Christmas tree fashion, like the Tortilla Pimento Cheese Spirals above
Snowmen noses are just a fun way to get the kiddos to eat their carrots. I’m going to turn this Carrot Dip Garden from an Easter party into a “melted snowbank” [ranch dressing] for the snowmen noses to be plucked from
A big plate of Candy Cookies for Santa will remind them he is still watching!
The dough for Parmesan Stars can be made up to a week in advance…then baked the day before
Ham and Poppy Seed Roll-ups are a version of the long time popular ham and cheese poppy seed rolls. I saw a version on Pinterest that I want to try, using crescent rolls, similar to these Club Sandwich in a Roll
The Ham and Poppy Seed rolls are more party friendly because they’re bite sized. You cut them into spiral bites and drizzle the buttery mustard sauce over the top before baking. You can see the recipe here
Red and Green Asparagus and Roasted Tomato Tart will be a festive addition to the party
And the guys will be gobbling the Brown Sugar Bacon Bundles with a crispy tater tot filling
Cranberry Walnut Pie Spirals with Gorgonzola Garlic Butter were a big hit this fall, so I’m looking forward to making them again
I think everyone will enjoy the Coconut Rum Snowball for Dessert
And a new creation, Sweet and Salty White Trash Bark is in the “test kitchen,” I’ll share it as soon as I work out the kinks…
If you need some last minute nibbles to please everyone you can find the links to all these recipes, and more, on my Pinterest board, Christmas Eve Lunch with Santa here
Psst...in case you’re wondering why I’m calling this lunch with Santa, if everyone is really really really good, the jolly man himself just might make an appearance!!
But, this is just between you and me, no one else knows, Shhhh…
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I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs
Celebrate and Decorate, It’s Overflowing, Rustic and Refined,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cooking and Crafting with J&J, Project Inspire, The Scoop, Something to Talk About, A Stroll Thru Life Inspire Me Monday
Crafty Staci, Tickle My Tastebuds, Wow Us Wednesday
Creative Ways, Favorite Things, Full Plate Thursday, Share Your Style, Work it Wednesday
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It all looks yummy! Merry Christmas🎄😎🌴
Thanks Michelle, Merry Merry to you too! >
Thank you and Happy Holidays to all
So many yummy ideas, but that asparagus tart really caught my eye.
Merry Christmas, Jenna.
You know I’m all about the appys! Have a great time with the kids Jenna:@)
Everything looks so great and pretty! 🙂
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J! Merry Christmas!
Well, thank you! I think I just planned almost my entire last-minute Christmas Day menu from this post. I had planned a simple seafood gumbo and a chicken tortellini soup with a variety of breads and crackers…but now, I’ll add some of these delicious looking finger foods to go along with the other dishes. No matter how hard I try to “keep it simple” it never works out…Even simple dishes can get complicated when we try to do too many. I think I’ll do like you suggest from time to time and do some of them ahead of time…Better get busy!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you Judy! I am hoping for a Santa’s helper in the kitchen this week! I’m sure whatever you do it will be wonderful, gumbo sounds perfect for a Southern Christmas feast! >
Great ideas! I love the idea of Christmas Eve lunch with the family – and Santa. Your menu is perfect, and I completely agree that we should make a thousand pigs in blankets! 🙂
Thanks Kim! >
Jenna, I love the idea of Christmas Eve lunch and all the food sounds and looks so yummy! Merry Cristmas to you and yours!
Thank you Pam, Merry Merry to you too! >
I love all of your great recipes for a Christmas lunch with Santa!! How fun & festive. Thanks for sharing at Cooking and Crafting with J&J. Wishing you a Merry Christmas Jenna!
Julie xo
Thank you Julie, and Merry Merry to you! >
Hi Jenna,
What a great luncheon with Santa, I just know he loved it! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and hope you are having a great holiday season!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
You have the best ideas!