Christmas Eve food traditions?

**Ponderer** · 12-13-2011, 08:56 PM

What are your traditions for Christmas Eve food? I know some do a specific dinner or others have a traditional round of snacks or drinks and sweets and such.

I do not have any but I would love to be inspired by learning about what you all do?

**NicJean** · 12-13-2011, 09:10 PM

Maybe because both parents came from New Hampshire - clam chowder with Ritz crackers on the side. Usually we ate fast, because we had to get to church for service. In a big family, soups can really be both a timesaver and a frugal choice. (If clams weren't available, it would be corn chowder - same soup, no clams or clam juice.)

**oheoh's momma** · 12-13-2011, 09:35 PM

No went to spend Christmas eve with my and cooked turkey dinner at her house and did gifts she passed away 4 years ago it is the loneliest day of the year for me. we do have the santa truck every year.... would love some ideas from others.

**oheoh's momma** · 12-13-2011, 09:36 PM

with my mom

**brenda67** · 12-13-2011, 10:05 PM

We normally go to my bil & sil's for homemade Lasagna,fresh bread w/butter & salad..not my favorite meal by a long shot but I love going to family get togethers.

**kcsmom76** · 12-13-2011, 10:06 PM

We have finger foods on Christmas Eve at my Mom's house. We have:
*ham and cheese rolls
*sausage balls
*spinach dip and crackers
*cheese dip and chips
*Ooey Gooey bars
*Chocolate chip cheese ball with cinnamon and regular graham crackers
*ham cheese ball and crackers
*veggie tray
*fruit tray
*chocolate fountain
*soda
*punch
*coffee
*hot chocolate with marshmellows

It is a crazy amount of food and we all trade off what we brought and take home leftovers. It's only once a year so we go all out.

**HisDaisy** · 12-13-2011, 10:09 PM

For as long as I can remember, my family as made homemade pizza on Christmas eve. Now that I have my own family we do the same. We serve it with salad and christmas cookies.

**Debbie-cat** · 12-13-2011, 10:35 PM

Some years we were at my Mom's and other years we were at my ex-MIL's. My ex-MIL made the BEST meat pie and date cookies for Christmas Eve. We would go to midnight mass and then go to their place and have both.

Since the divorce Ds and I made our own traditions. We would make whatever we felt like eating that night and pigged out on goodies.

This year I am going to attempt the meat pies though. I would love to come close to my ex-MIL's recipe and I think I found one. Can't wait to try it!

**Mom2-3** · 12-13-2011, 11:28 PM

We have Chinese take-out on Christmas Eve.

**Libby** · 12-13-2011, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by Debbie-cat

Some years we were at my Mom's and other years we were at my ex-MIL's. My ex-MIL made the BEST meat pie and date cookies for Christmas Eve. We would go to midnight mass and then go to their place and have both.

Since the divorce Ds and I made our own traditions. We would make whatever we felt like eating that night and pigged out on goodies.

This year I am going to attempt the meat pies though. I would love to come close to my ex-MIL's recipe and I think I found one. Can't wait to try it!

Tortiere?! YUM! I've had quite a few versions...some were awesome and some I could do w/o ever tasting again

We don't really have a tradition here for Christmas Eve dinner...maybe its time to start one? I know a lot of restaurants close early - 6pm'ish - around here but maybe we could go to the Casino Buffet instead?

Hrmm...I'll broach the subject with dad and DH and see what comes of it.

BTW: We usually do a ton of appies on New Years Eve leading up to the big count down. I LOVE M&M Meatshop for this night

**Debbie-cat** · 12-13-2011, 11:30 PM

Tortiere?! ....yes!!!! That's what they were called Libby..thanks! I LOVE them.

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-14-2011, 12:06 AM

We do snacks and egg nog and stay up late playing computer games. Sometimes I do fancy appetizers and sometimes not.

My in-laws used to serve cold cuts, rolls, and red velvet cake when the family gathered Christmas eve to open gifts.

This year we have company and I will put out a variety of cookies, nuts, pickles and cold cuts and we will play board games together.

**GrantsMom** · 12-14-2011, 06:13 AM

Debbie-Cat.......my grandmother used to make a French Meat Pie every year as well. One of my favorite foods

After she passed away her recipe was gone, took me a couple failures to find a really good one.

The one that finally worked for me was a recipe that used 1 boiled (and peeled) white potato that was combined in the meat mixture and then just a little bit of the starchy potato water in the meat mixture as well. I really think it was the starchy potato water that made the difference.

Now I want some meat pie.....mmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

**wanderlusting** · 12-14-2011, 07:43 AM

It's just me, DH, our twins and a friend whose husband is deployed. So I'm cooking up the Christmas feast on Christmas Eve and we'll eat it that night and then have leftovers on Christmas.

This will make Christmas day much more relaxed. I actually got the idea from the Germans we know- they do the big meal on Christmas Eve and eat leftovers on Christmas. Christmas Day is about spending time with family.

**LuvMyHubby** · 12-14-2011, 07:45 AM

Oyster stew is our Christmas eve meal and on the times that dd comes over for Christmas Eve then I will do a baked ziti too. But other than that Christmas Eve has always been low key for us as we have always had to travel to the in laws on Christmas Day and still do.