Holiday Menus

Have hosting duties this year? We’ve got you covered with foolproof menus for low-key potluck suppers, trendy appetizer parties, formal dinners, and more. Find all our best holiday menu plans, plus find tips for giving an unforgettable toast and funny entertaining stories that’ll keep you laughing through the holdays.

First up, there are probably as many variations on the Thanksgiving theme as there are folks who start their holiday shopping the day after. To accommodate our individual tastes, but with the Thanksgiving theme in mind, we've put together a variety of menus―a mix of the traditional and the modern.

Thanksgiving Menus and More

• 13 Great Thanksgiving Meals
• Perfect Roast Turkey Recipes
• Thanksgiving for the Novice

Chicken, not turkey, is served with a lively five-spice sauce. Ginger spices up the banana pudding finale in our Christmas Variation Menu.

Christmas Menus

• A Christmas Variation Menu (pictured)
• Christmas Menus from around the Nation
• Holiday Table for Two

Share and give thanks with the flavors of seasonal bounty.

Healthy Recipes for Hanukkah

• A Healthy Hanukkah Menu (pictured)
• Cozy Hanukkah Menu
• Hanukkah for Moderns
• Lightened Jewish Desserts

Sometimes you want to skip the formalities and get right to the fun stuff, and a dessert party lets you do just that. It's a recipe for pure pleasure. This sweet spread offers a little something for everyone: lightly glazed, herb-scented cake, bittersweet cocoa meringues, and a galette featuring ripe plums. Make your desserts beforehand, then simply put on fresh coffee and pour prosecco once the guests arrive.

View Full Menu: Dessert and Coffee Party

Entertaining doesn't always mean hours of planning, prep, and production. Sometimes our best evenings are spent relaxing with friends over good conversation and simple meals. We've gathered menus and one-dish meals to keep casual gatherings... well, casual. No fuss―no problem.

Low-Key Recipes

• Cozy Make-Ahead Meal (pictured)
• Casual Dinner with Friends

Hoppin' John is a traditional New Year's good-luck symbol on the tables of the South.

New Year's Day Menus

• Southern Warmth for New Year's Day Menu (pictured)
• New Year's Day Brunch

At the center of our Vegetarian Holiday Supper menu is pure luxury: the flavors of truffles in a mushroom-studded lasagna. Omit the anchovies from the Broccolini recipe to make it vegetarian-friendly.

Vegetarian Menus

• Vegetarian Holiday Supper Menu (pictured)
• Vegetarian Holiday Recipes
• Vegetarian Thanksgiving

The flavors of Asia, Italy, America, and the Middle East: total harmony in cooking, at least.
 

Global Holiday Menus

• A Casual Feast of Global Flavors Menu (pictured)
• Julia and Bill's Compromise Noche Buena/Christmas Dinner Menu
• Global Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers

We love this open house menu for its versatility: a dress-up evening or a casual day, a low-key Sunday afternoon drop-around or an elegant Saturday night, even a New Year's Eve. The dishes are small, full of flavor, suitable for adults or kids, and can be dressed up or dressed down. The best part? This beautiful party menu, including drinks, comes in under $10 per guest. Now, that's reason to celebrate!

View Full Menu: Holiday Open House Party

Brighten your holiday feasts with just the right accoutrements. Choosing the right wine, planning a colorful table setting, and adding a few festive details can make each meal memorable. Here are a few tips to get you started.

The Finishing Touches

• Easy Tips for Holiday Get-Togethers
• Tips for the Novice Host