Please critique my Christmas menu

[Anonymous]

Attendees: DH, me, two elementary girls, my parents, my aunt/uncle and adult cousin

Goal: have a good time and eat yummy food with a minimum of effort

Cocktail hour:
Prosecco
Beer/wine
Artichoke dip with crackers and crudite
[Need another appetizer, ideally kid-friendly]

Dinner:
Ham
Mashed potatoes
Gravy
Cranberry sauce (whole cranberries boiled in water and sugar)
Corn casserole
[Maybe marinated mushrooms? Do I need these?]
Green bean casserole (aunt is bringing)
Winter salad (aunt is bringing)
Amish rolls (aunt is bringing)

Dessert:
Apple pie
Pumpkin pie
Guest contribution

Would appreciate suggestions!

[Anonymous]

I'd say your menu is a tad heavy/salty and I'd add another veggie that's not a casserole. e.g. brussels with cranberries.

I'd do a friuit tray for the kids for an app or even a veggie tray- here's a cute idea: https://www.tiktok.com/@ywmfamily/video/7307735419255344426

[Anonymous]

It sounds too much like Thanksgiving. At least switch up the desserts and maybe have gingerbread cake or a Buche de Noel. Add some Christmas cookies.

I'd also dropped the mashed potatoes since you have the corn casserole (or vice versa).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd say your menu is a tad heavy/salty and I'd add another veggie that's not a casserole. e.g. brussels with cranberries.

I'd do a friuit tray for the kids for an app or even a veggie tray- here's a cute idea: https://www.tiktok.com/@ywmfamily/video/7307735419255344426

A veggie tray in addition to the crudite that will go with the artichoke dip?

I think I’ll do a fruit tray or skewers. Thanks! Maybe also some plain asparagus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds too much like Thanksgiving. At least switch up the desserts and maybe have gingerbread cake or a Buche de Noel. Add some Christmas cookies.

I'd also dropped the mashed potatoes since you have the corn casserole (or vice versa).

I agree it is TG with ham instead of Turkey. I would drop the cranberry sauce and swap out the pies.

[Anonymous]

Maybe add shrimp cocktail or scallops wrapped in bacon for apps. Any snacks for beforehand like a Chex party mix or mixed nuts?

[Anonymous]

Can someone tell me why it would be bad to have Thanksgiving but just with ham?

Do the mushrooms, that would be a good addition.

[Anonymous]

I dont think you need cranberry sauce with ham. Maybe a honey mustard sauce instead?

[Anonymous]

I think your menu sounds great. You might consider having a festive beverage available (eggnog, mulled cider, hot cocoa).

I love mushrooms and would be delighted if the marinated mushrooms were served, but they’re really not needed, especially since you’ll have green bean casserole which has mushrooms in it.

Pigs in blankets are a kid-friendly appetizer. They’d probably be equally happy with some microwaved pizza rolls.

There’s nothing wrong with having Christmas dinner resemble Thanksgiving. The point of both os that they’re large feasts of special foods and they often overlap. My grandmother was a farmer’s wife and cooked the biggest spreads I’ve ever heard of. Both Thanksgiving and Christmas featured turkey and ham (and in later years she added enchiladas, because that was the special food she wanted). The point is that there is no rulebook. If your family loves ham, cranberries, pumpkin pie, etc., it’s fine to have them for both occasions, and maybe even other times during the year. On the other hand, it would be equally fine to order pizza if your family enjoys it and you don’t feel like cooking (although you might want to let them know ahead of time so they can either adjust their expectations or bring the cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie to eat with your pizza).

[Anonymous]

I think of ham and pineapple more than ham and cranberry.

[Anonymous]

Au gratin potatoes instead of mashed. I dunno how you can make a gravy of you're making ham. That means canned stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd say your menu is a tad heavy/salty and I'd add another veggie that's not a casserole. e.g. brussels with cranberries.

I'd do a friuit tray for the kids for an app or even a veggie tray- here's a cute idea: https://www.tiktok.com/@ywmfamily/video/7307735419255344426

A veggie tray in addition to the crudite that will go with the artichoke dip?

I think I’ll do a fruit tray or skewers. Thanks! Maybe also some plain asparagus.

Your crudite might be fine if its heavy veggies, not just celery/carrots.

[Anonymous]

Add a cheese plate and sliced tenderloin.

[Anonymous]

Very boring to me, but if those are your favorite foods, go ahead!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Au gratin potatoes instead of mashed. I dunno how you can make a gravy of you're making ham. That means canned stuff.

OP here, I think I will do scalloped potatoes, instead. Thank you for the suggestion!