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Not long till Christmas Day now!! Can you believe that there are only two weeks left?! Before I went on our family holiday I planned out my 2018 Christmas Menu for lunch and dinner. It’s very important to plan ahead so that you know exactly what you’re doing in the kitchen on Christmas Day to ensure that you can keep up your energy level to do what needs to be done, and still be able to enjoy yourself. For us, it’s not just about the Christmas feast. It’s actually a whole day of special family time which begins with a special breakfast with just our little family, a cold lunch with my hubby’s family and then repeat the whole thing again with my side of the family.  That’s right, we are hosting two big family gatherings on Christmas day!!  I’m being kind to myself and having the same food that I make for lunch for dinner too, and am just doubling everything up. That’s why it’s so important to me to get the meal plan right, so I’m not cooking anything too extravagant and can actually enjoy the company of our guests. For that to happen, I need to get my shopping list spot on so that I don’t miss out on a good ham, order the prawns on time, have all the condiments ready (yes there was a year that we forgot cranberry sauce for the turkey), and have all my recipes printed and ready.

I’m working up until 21st December, going to a party on that Saturday and then plan on making some of the snacks ahead of time on that Sunday, so I’m going to do my shopping online and have everything delivered to me. The bonus in doing it that way, is that I won’t miss anything as I can double check my shopping list and cart against each other. Woollies is still letting me offer you $15 off your shopping if you order online and spend over $200, so be organised with me this year and save while shopping online.

CHRISTMAS DAY (ALL DAY) MENU

Here is my 2018 Christmas Day (all day) Menu. It’s not extravagant, it’s simple but deliciously appetising.  First step to planning your Christmas Dinner Menu is to gather all your recipes together.

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST MENU

Pancakes with Blueberries and Whipped Cream

We will begin with breakfast, because as soon all the Christmas presents are opened, the kids, Scotty and I like to eat together as a family to celebrate that Santa did indeed make it on time and we all got spoilt. So what do we all eat for breakfast? It’s our family tradition to have pancakes with blueberries and whipped cream. Here’s my pancake recipe. Just swap the bananas with blueberries because on Christmas Day, we always have berries.

Eggnog

The pancakes are accompanied by none other than my homemade Eggnog. I’ve just started making this in recent years, making a batch for the kids without the alcohol and adding a splash of brandy for Scotty and I. Let’s not tell anyone that we are already into the spirits at 9 am lol. After all, it’s Christmas and the Eggnog really compliments the pancakes and berries.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH/DINNER MENU

Cold Tiger Prawns & Texas Green Chilli Sauce

We love having cold tiger prawns with some prawn cocktail sauce for the eager beavers who love to peel prawns on Christmas Day. Growing up we only ever had prawns at Christmas, as they are an indulgent treat.  The cold, meaty and salty flavour of the prawns is a fond memory most of us share.

Roast Turkey

So this year, I’ll see how I feel but I am thinking I may attempt a traditional turkey and want to try the turkey from my Thanksgiving post from last month. It just looked so yummy that instead of the usual turkey roll that I purchase already made, I am going to do the work and try it out.

Glazed Ham

I usually make honey glazed ham, but I’m going to try this bacon and maple glazed ham this year. The chilli flakes and Cajun pepper should spice the ham up. There will probably be plenty of leftovers so I might make my Left Over Christmas Ham Salad with some of the ham if there is enough left.

Coleslaw

In recent years, I’ve always made my homemade coleslaw, but I’ve decided to try a different one on Christmas day. It’s a more classic coleslaw recipe and I really love the vibrant colours.

photo credit kidspot

Homemade Potato Salad

My classic Homemade Potato Salad is a must at Christmas. Everyone is just used to it being a comfort food that is always available to go with the ham and turkey. I never liked it as a kid, but I’ve perfected this recipe and am now converted.  It’s my son’s favourite too.

 Sweet and Sour Cucumber & Watermelon Salad

The salad dressing only takes a few seconds to whip up and once I added it to the salad, the flavour combination was just lovely. This Sweet and Sour Cucumber & Watermelon Salad is a tasty medley, with the vinegar complementing the dish as a whole… It’s very Christmassy too, with a bowl filled with red and green.

CHRISTMAS  TREATS/DESSERT MENU

Christmas day has to have sweet surprises available, so I’m also making some treats that will be ready to go all day. Tea, coffee and my Eggnog will be served with the sweet treats whenever anyone wants some, and my treats will include my mum’s Christmas Berry Trifle, my White Christmas, Nan’s Rum Balls and my friend’s Nuts & Bolts recipe.

Christmas Berry Trifle

This Christmas Berry Trifle recipe is a twist on the one my mum used to make every Christmas. This dessert is one that’s dear to my heart, but funny enough I really didn’t like it as a child. After losing my mother a few years back, this dessert has made it to our Christmas table ever since and has become a special tradition in memory of my mum. And you know what, with a few of my added tweaks, I love this dish now!!!

Christmas Summer Berry Punch

I like to serve up a festive and special Christmas Summer Berry Punch. The punch is non-alcoholic and is so refreshing to have throughout the day.

White Christmas

I did a test run of this recipe about a month ago just to see if everyone would like it for Christmas day and the kids couldn’t get enough of it. I hadn’t had White Christmas in years and just thought, well why not make it this year. It’s an Australian tradition after all.

Nan’s Christmas Rum Balls

Nan’s Rum Balls. Oh, these are just heavenly and I love making them every year because everyone loves them. Who doesn’t love rum balls right! They also make me feel close to my Nanna at Christmas time, so I like to make these every year.

Nuts & Bolts

This is something new for my family this Christmas.  A friend of mine let me try her Nuts & Bolts recipe and it had such interesting flavours and looked so pretty when served, that I asked her if I could use the recipe for Christmas Day. This one is certainly a keeper. Sweet and savoury at the same time.

That is my 2018 Organised Housewife Christmas Menu! I hope it brings you some inspiration for the big day. I’ve added all the links to all the recipes, so feel free to use them for your Christmas Banquet. Just remember that if you do, please share with me on what you cooked and how it all went. If you want more Christmas recipe inspirations, check out my Christmas Recipe Collection.

WHAT’S YOUR SIGNATURE CHRISTMAS DISH YOU SERVE FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER EVERY YEAR?

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