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