• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Effortless Chic
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Interiors
  • Austin
  • Kids
  • Recipes
  • Nav Social Menu

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Interiors
  • Austin
  • Kids
  • Recipes
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Interiors
  • Austin
  • Kids
  • Recipes
×

Three Easy Holiday Menus for Entertaining this Winter

Dec 9, 2022 ·

Whether you've already sent out the invitations or are just dreaming of hosting your own soiree, keep reading for three easy holiday menus for any kind of gathering!

top down shot of holiday table

One of the most enjoyable part of this busy holiday season, is the welcome excuse to gather with friends and family. Whether it's a low-key afternoon cookie exchange, a family dinner or an adults-only couples party that you're considering, don't wait another day to invite people into your home and deepen those relationships.

One of the biggest barriers to hosting can be the menu, which is why we wanted to share these easy holiday menus today! Also, don't be afraid to ask your guests to participate by assigning them a dish! People are typically more than happy to contribute. What's the party you're most looking forward to this holiday?

collage of holiday menus

1.The Heavy Appetizer Holiday Menu

If you have trouble narrowing down your guest list, this is the menu for you! It's suited for large crowds, mingling and conversation. My mom is actually the master of the heavy appetizer menu. Fill up your dining room with easy to access bite sized appetizers and then create other areas around the house for people to settle in and dine if they wish.

This is great if it's more of an open house style gathering where people will come and go. For more easy holiday menus, keep reading below!

cheese board for holiday menu

An over-flowing winter cheese board via What do You Crave?

bacon and cheese bites

Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates via Half Baked Harvest

meatballs for holiday menu

Cranberry Orange Meatballs via The Defined Dish

crostinis

Sweet Potato Crostinis via Camille Styles

beef skewers

Peppered Beef Skewers with Easy Bearnaise Sauce via Sprinkles and Sprouts

stuffed mushrooms for holiday menu

Spicy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms via Unicorns in the Kitchen

Shop the Appetizer Table:

 

collage of dishes for holiday menu

2.The Italian Feast Holiday Menu

I don't know why, but Italian food always seems conducive to dinner parties! There is so much that can be made ahead of time and the richness of the dishes always feels particularly festive! Bonus points: These short ribs can be made in the slow-cooker!

tomato crositnis

Tomato Crostini with Whipped Feta via Barefoot Contessa 

kale salad

The Perfect Kale Caesar Salad via Craving California

short ribs

Red Wine Braised Short Ribs via Coley Cooks

cauliflower puree for holiday menu

Creamy Cauliflower Puree via Skinny Taste

rainbow cookies

Italian Rainbow Cookies via Sugar and Charm

The Italian Tabletop:

ham and potatoes

The Traditional Christmas Holiday Menu

Sometimes you can't go wrong with tradition-- especially when that tradition is a Christmas ham that can be prepared in a slow cooker! Easy, peasy! This holiday menu is perfect for Christmas Day or an early holiday celebration among friends, kids included! Keep reading for all of the yummy recipes!

shrimp cocktail

Garlic Herb Roasted Shrimp Cocktail via Joyful Healthy Eats

baked brie

Candied Bacon Baked Brie via Blackberry Babe

slow cooker ham

Slow Cooker Spiral Sliced Ham with Mustard Sauce via Good Life Eats

sprouts on plate

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mayo Mustard Dressing via Primavera Kitchen 

hassellback potatoes

Hasselback Potatoes via Went Here 8 This

souffle for holiday menu

Flourless Chocolate Souffle Cakes via Coley Cooks

Shop the Christmas Table:

Top Tips For Easy Holiday Menus

  • Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to participate by assigning them a dish! People are typically more than happy to contribute.
  • Stuck for time? Go for make ahead dishes that you can store in the fridge at least a day in advance.
  • A Christmas ham is a crowd pleasing main and easy to do in the slow cooker!
  • Get creative with your table setting. One simple way to add colour and a personal touch is with napkins. Roll napkins and wrap with contrasting ribbon in satin, velvet, lace, sequinned elastic, or brightly coloured wool. Paper napkins come in all types of prints and patterns and can look just as elegant as linen.

Check Out These Other Great Meal Plan Ideas

  • 30 Weeknight Meal Ideas To Refresh Your Meal Plan
  • The Double Everything and Freeze It Meal Plan
  • The 5 Day Vacation Detox Meal Plan
  • Dinnertime and Meal Planning as a Family of Four
  • Fun Things to Do With Friends

Have you tried any of these holiday menus? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

« 10 of the Best New Year's Eve Cocktails Worth The Effort
21 Christmas Traditions for Kids »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Xantha Rodriguez says

    December 14, 2021 at 9:23 am

    All the dishes look just fine, salivating already)

  2. Jennifer says

    December 13, 2019 at 5:52 am

    This all looks so good!

    Jennifer
    Effortlessly Sophisticated

Primary Sidebar

About The Effortless Chic

Jen Pinkston, The Effortless Chic
La Paloma

Popular Recipes

  • 26 Weeknight Meals To Refresh Your Meal Plan
  • Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe with Turmeric
  • 20 of The Best Memorial Day Recipes For Outdoor Entertaining!
  • Wellness Recipe: Lemon Turmeric Ginger Shots
  • 10 of the Best New Year's Eve Cocktails Worth The Effort
  • Whiskey Sour Cocktail Recipe- Only 5 ingredients and so delicious!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Interiors
  • Austin
  • Kids
  • Recipes

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • About The Effortless Chic

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Media Kit

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 The Effortless Chic