What is your traditional Christmas dinner?

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   Just Ask Susanposted 11 years ago

   What is your traditional Christmas dinner?
   
   I usually make a turkey for Thanksgiving (October here in Canada) and for Christmas. Sometimes I'll make one for Easter as well but sometimes a ham. I'm curious to know what everyone likes to have for Christmas dinner. I'd love to have a leg of lamb for Christmas dinner but I'd never find one big enough for my crowd.

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   fpherj48posted 11 years ago

   Hi Susan.....One thing for sure....my family has come to expect me to be the one family REBEL, to change tradition! In my current royal position as Family Matriarch, I'm the boss. 
   Needless to say, my rationale is always that I like to make things easy, fun and "surprising."  (Then there's always the truth of the matter....that I like it to benefit Grandma...aHEM, who happens to be..ME!)
   Christmas is for the entire family...right?...especially the little ones.  So, let's be fair & realistic.  No one or even 2 individuals should be responsible to do all the work & cooking & entertaining & clean-up...(like ME, for instance).....We should ALL do our share.  Note:  Christmas is about SHARING...yes?
   So, it just makes perfect sense....to ME.....that everyone make a special dish for the Table....to include, salads & desserts...and oh yeah....beverages.  Needless to mention that everything should be in disposable dishes.
   Since all great ideas deserve a title, I can do that too...."Gram Dawg's Pot Luck Christmas SURPRISE Dinner.".......Hold the applause.....I know, I know.....It's a GENIUS idea!  Just admit it!  :0

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      Just Ask Susanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is genius. I just wish one of my sons would get married and they'd invite me for Christmas dinner instead of me always doing  most of the cooking. I'm going to take your idea this year and have a Potluck Christmas dinner. Thanks Paula! You rock!

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      Vickiwposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Effer, I just love this, and always your lovely sense of humor!  Laughing so much I can't even talk about my own traditions, but they aren't even close to yours! You are genius!

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      fpherj48posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Vicki!!  Thanks for being so sweet and complimentary!  Just for that, you're getting an invitation to Gram Dawg's Xmas Party!   Bring your pillow and sleeping.bag....it's an old fashioned sleep over!

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      fpherj48posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Susan..you aren't going to like me anymore...Every one of my daughters-in-law are FABULOUS cooks.. so I am well-fed!!  Ya think maybe they just want me to stuff my mouth, so I don't talk? hmm..never thought of that!  aHA!..a CONSPIRACY uncovered!

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      fpherj48posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      OH...Wow...THANKS for the "Best" answer!  Have I told you lately that I love you?

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      Just Ask Susanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      No Paula you haven't and I've missed hearing it. So now I'll just have to go and crank up Van Morrison and listen to him tell me how  much he loves me lately

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      fpherj48posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh no you don't my little cookie from Canada!  Van is ALL mine.......I claimed him when you were too young to even know who he was.......He wrote "Brown-Eyed Girl," for ME!

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   DzyMsLizzyposted 11 years ago

   I am a rebel against tradition for its own sake.
   
   I give in to the wishes of the rest of the family on Thanksgiving for the 'traditional' fare, but for the Yule holiday, I insist on breaking the mold.
   
   We'll have lasagna, pizza, or even a taco party if we want!  Anything but the 'same-old-same-old" thing.

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      Just Ask Susanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I do that at Easter and some relatives look down on me for doing it but oh well.

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   Minnetonka Twinposted 11 years ago

   Hi Susan-What a great question! My family of origin celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve. Sis and I have hosted the family Christmas Party for the last five years. In my family, we have everybody bring a family favorite dish. Here is the list: Cocktail Wieners, Spinach Dip and Veggies, Cookies, Yule Log Cake, Shrimp Cocktail, Ham, Oyster Stew, Breads, Crackers and Cheeses, Celery and Cream Cheese etc...

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      Just Ask Susanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds Great!

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   Rochelle Frankposted 11 years ago

   Our family has never had "Christmas Dinner" as a formal long-table  sit down dinner,. -- That happened at Thanksgiving. 
   Sometimes Christmas Eve was a time to cook a big ham or turkey and enjoy it buffet style with snacks and eggnog while the littlest kids opened their Christmas stockings.
   Christmas morning was for a breakfast buffet of Quiche, sausages, cinnamon rolls, etc-- and during the day we ate the leftover turkey and ham on sandwiches, etc. while opening gifts. Who wants to be in the kitchen(especially Mom) when everyone else is having fun?

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   1. 93

      Just Ask Susanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      We have Thanksgiving here in October so I don't really mind cooking and hosting another meal. But I do like how you do Christmas. We make snack foods for Xmas Eve.

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   Dawn Denmar1posted 11 years ago

   WE prefer duck with orange sauce and an orange-type stuffing....

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      Just Ask Susanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I can never seem to find a duck large enough to cook for my group

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   lcbenefieldposted 11 years ago

   Italian is on the menu and has been for as long as I can remember.  We used to do homemade lasagna and now it has become homemade spaghetti.  It's served with green beans and rolls and usually a red velvet cake for dessert.  It's simple but so good.  (We're not even Italian.)

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      Just Ask Susanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds good too!

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   PaisleeGalposted 11 years ago

   What a fun question. Interesting to read how folks all over do things so different. In my family sometimes we have what we call "Traditional Fare" and sometimes we opt for doing something different.
   
   The "Traditional" meal is usually preceded by lots of "Snackidos" (appetizers) and the meal is ham, sweet potato crisp, one or two green veggies, baked beans, and an array of pies (always at least pecan), cookies, cakes. Followed by a nap wherever you can find a spot.
   
   Often times though we will do brunch with some quiche, my awesome baked Cranberry French Toast with Cranberry syrup and orange butter and my sisters Velvety Cheese Grits and maybe a breakfast egg/sausage casserole (depending on the size of the crowd).
   
   A few times we have even done deli type sandwiches, etc.

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   1. 93

      Just Ask Susanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh my you've made my mouth water!

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   Sharyn's Slantposted 11 years ago

   Traditional?  Well, that would be
   Whole Ham put in the oven at 200 degrees starting maybe 15 hours before the guests arrive, slow cooked with pineapple, cherries, honey and raspberry ginger ale
   Fresh Kielbasa & Sauerkraut (my mom's recipe that I finally perfected and still a must have every Christmas)
   Mashed Potatoes
   Sweet Corn
   Broccoli Rice Casserole
   Spinach Dip (appetizer)
   And of course, Party Punch!
   Plus we can't forget a birthday cake.  We always have a "birthday cake for Jesus" - a tradition my mom started when the grand kids were very young.  Everyone sings happy birthday!

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