The Essential Christmas Checklist

Take the stress out of hosting Christmas dinner this year—with a master check list. Whether or not lists are for you, having it all written down can ensure you don’t forget staples like the cranberry sauce, stuffing, or potatoes. It will take some of the pressure off when it comes to something as elaborate as a holiday family feast for 24, (especially after an extended period of not being able to have large gatherings and many of us are still feeling very out of practice).

Consider this a handy reference guide of the essentials you need to put it all together. And, if you are looking for just the right dish, try these tried and true, traditional-with-a-twist holiday dinner menu ideas. Happy celebrating!

Food

A comprehensive list of any nibbles and dishes you might want to serve at your holiday feast.

Starters

• Hors d’oeuvres: Try these Little Holiday Hasselback Potatoes (they’re much easier than they look—we promise!), or if you want to try something unexpected, serve up this twist on a scotch egg.

Protein

• Turkey:  Defrost well in advance if buying a frozen bird and/or brine, then bring up to room temperature before roasting.
• Maple-glazed ham: Let it come to room temperature before heating.
• Any plant-based alternatives you might serve up for a vegan or vegetarian holiday feast.

Sides & Condiments

• Cranberry sauce: for many uses, like our festive and colorful appetizer Brie and Cranberry Potato Bites
• Dinner rolls like these Garlic Herb Potato Rolls— so fluffy and tasty!
• Herbs, for garnish
• Stuffing: If you’re like us and you want to add potatoes to every dish on the table, try our potato stuffing!

Vegetables

• Brussels sprouts: like these sage and garlic roasted vegetables
• Carrots: here’s an easy recipe for roasted potatoes and carrots
• Little potatoes: Try our them in our perfect garlic roasted potatoes
• Peas: Or you can mix them into this dip with mint to serve on top of smashed potatoes

Sweets

• Cookies, candy, and chocolates to pass around
• Pie (with whipped cream or ice cream)

Drinks

Stick with the basics or get fancy with custom cocktails!

• Champagne
• Cocktails and beer
• Coffee, tea
• Eggnog
• Pre-dinner cocktails/aperitif, post-meal digestif
• Sparkling apple cider
• Sparkling water
• Wine—red and white

Equipment and Utensils

All of the odds and ends you might need to serve up a memorable feast.

• Aluminum foil
• Apron
• Blender
• Carving fork and a (sharp) knife
• Colander
• Corkscrew
• Cutting board
• Kitchen scissors
• Meat thermometer
• Mixer
• Oven mitts
• Parchment paper and/or silicone baking sheets
• Pastry brush
• Pie pans
• Plastic wrap
• Platters
• Potato masher–to make these mashed potatoes with goat cheese and thyme, or another variation with chorizo and leeks
• Roasting tray
• Rolling pin
• Serving bowls
• Serving spoons and forks
• Tea towels
• Tongs
• Turkey baster, kitchen twine, trussing pins
• Wooden spoon
• Resealable containers for leftovers

Five of our Favorite Holiday Dishes:

Need some extra inspiration? Here are five of our favorite holiday dishes to get you started.

Holiday Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb with Potatoes, Fennel, and Carrots

Beautiful, dramatic, traditional — this meal-in-one dish elevates the feasting table to sophisticated elegance. Culinary herbs bring out the flavor of tender, juicy slow-roasted lamb, paired with purple-blue Little Potatoes and bright orange carrots.

Classic Scalloped Potatoes

Bubbly-brown on top with a smattering of fresh thyme leaves, this classic never tasted so good. Buttery Creamers with garlic, sharp and aged cheddar, Parmesan and a dash of sweet smoked paprika make this traditional holiday dish silky-smooth and deliciously decadent.

Leek and Creamer Potato Galette

 

If you’re feeling ambitious, and like you really want to out-do yourself, this leek and Creamer potato galette is the perfect dish to serve up. It looks absolutely gorgeous and will level up any holiday spread.

Butternut Squash and Sage Smashed Little Potatoes

 

These little bites are bright and festive, garnished with a curled squash peel. Sweet butternut squash ‘noodles’ make the perfect foil to piney, pleasingly bitter sage

Dill and Parsley Roasted Potatoes

An easy, herby side dish of roasted Little Potatoes with dill, parsley, and onions.