that drink sounds fantastic!

Imporatnt things first....here's our drink:

Sparkling cranberry cider

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 (12-ounce) can frozen cranberry juice cocktail
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
2 (750-milliliter) bottles sparkling apple cider, chilled
1. Place first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until cranberry juice cocktail melts. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes.

2. Pour cranberry juice mixture into a pitcher. Add cider, and stir gently. Serve immediately over ice.

we're using Prosecco, instead of cider

appetizer is steamed shrimp and a dip or two that my SIL is making

Dinner is prime rib, brussel sprouts and roasted veggies (potatoes, parsnips and carrots)

Dessert is a surprise (again my SIL)

We always make pigs in a blanket for Christmas Eve, lol.  It has been just us, so we do appetizer fun food for Christmas Eve. Sometimes I do Chinese Dumplings for Christmas Eve, making a ton, so then I bring some to a party a couple of days later.  Shrimp cocktail for dh and I, perhaps, and crudite.     

I make a dinner on Christmas Day.  Usually beef, like tenderloin, or sometimes a boneless leg of lamb.  But the kids really like leaner meat, so I will try to get tenderloin, maybe just steaks.  I have grown tired of making a wonderful dinner that they don't like.  So, will get the meat they do love.  That way they get a healthy meal in between all the cookies we make and sweets they get in their stockings. 

I think I will make a lasagna or stuffed pasts shells to bring to my brother's house.  And I bring an assortment of the cookies and treats I make.  Maybe a cheesecake too.  Depending on time, I may make or bring an appetizer too.  He usually roasts a turkey breast, and we usually have salad.  Simple.  Just the two families for that. 

Roasted but still crisp asparagus spears (or grilled) wrapped in prosciutto?

Usually lasagne for Christmas Eve (typically have a few services to go to that are spread out) and for Christmas Day--sometimes just our breakfast (we have under the tree while opening stockings--use crystal, silver, etc.) and cheese and crackers--and eat Christmas Dinner a few days later.  We like to do tamales for Christmas.  It's a tradition where I come from. 

Pigs in a blanket are a must at our house on Christmas...

I got a brie baking dish last Christmas that I have yet to use.  I may make some for Christmas Eve - we have friends and family come over in the afternoon.  I found some good recipes on Pinterest.

I went over my dinner menu with my mom and she thinks it sounds good.  She agreed no eggy Yorkshire but I may just try the vegan recipe that hedgie posted.  The kids would enjoy it, I would enjoy it.  I am not sure about anyone else and it wouldn't be vegan bc I would use the roast drippings in the bottom of the muffin tins   I may try a test batch w/o drippings prior to Christmas to see how it turns out! 

I juist found out that for DH's family, we are having 16!  That is more than usual.  One niece, her significant other, and their child have been coming to things for the last year or so, after not being at a family event, including her brother's wedding, for quite a few years.  And they are coming. 

So the menu works perfectly.  Not much difference between making that meal for 4 or 20.  But I need to come up with appetizers still.  Definitely pigs in blankets, or DS will be very disappointed.  DH will be disappointed.  I know he will want shrimp cocktail, but nephew's wife is allergic to shellfish.  I will try to pick up a nice local cheese, if I can get there during their limited hours.  Not sure what else.  Maybe a spinache artichoke dip, and/or wings. 

Thank you hedgie!!

I googled eggless Yorkshire pudding, and lots of recipes came up.  This is the first one I clicked on

http://www.alternativestores.com/vegan-vegetarian-shopping/blog/vegan-yorkshire-pudding-recipes.html

Maybe you can find a recipe that works for you.

eragon, I've never seen it for sale here.  I think we will just skip it. DH will understand. 

MaryM
I buy our yorkshire pudding. its cheating but stops the cross contamination of raw egg. I agree its hard to concentrate when house is busy at this time of year.


I have made my cranberry sauce and frozen ready for the dinner. Its a orange and port cranberry sauce, and tastes rather good.
However have failed with the mince pies. Am considering using them as door stops or house bricks.  Will make another attempt at weekend!

I guess I have to start thinking about this.
Christmas Eve is easy.  MIL makes meatballs, I make safe ones for the kids & we have cold cuts.  That's their tradition. 

I think I'll will make a standing rib roast for Christmas dinner. DH will want Yorkshire pudding but I'm not sure I want to deal with eggs in the house on a holiday.  It's hectic and easy to make a mistake.

Lasagna casserole and have talked MIL out of green jello salad.

I go easy because it is so crazy here as I host my parents, MIL and SIL.

hummmmmm....... those menus are wonderful!

I'm a Christmas Menu underachiever! 

But I bake lots and lots of kinds of cookies and holiday breads!

Ok, I have planned, without too much detail, the two dinners.

For DH's family, a big pot of sauce with sausage, meatballs, braciole, chicken thighs, maybe short ribs. Pasta of course to go with that.  Garlic bread.  Maybe a salad.

For Christmas Eve, a roast, probably tenderloin, potatoes, veggies.