Since you are doing a heavy meal Christmas Eve maybe a pot of chili might be good. You could have all the extras including grated cheddar, sour cream, saltines, diced onions etc. Add a large green salad and some dessert and you're good to go. The chili can be made ahead of time so little last minute prep.

What kind of cuisines are in or out? Any particular constraints? What climate are you in?

I don't eat seafood, so I don't make it often, but other than that no real constraints.

Even though we do the big Christmas Eve meal and it is mostly the same crowd, I think they expect something more meal like than chili, although that would keep it casual and fun.

I live in WV, 45 minutes from what most would consider a good grocery store. HA! I'm mostly kidding.

Ham? Duck? Or even a turkey? I find a turkey with sides a la Thanksgiving style to be fairly easy. Decide on an easy meat, then roasted vegetables, cornbread stuffing, salad, and done.

Or... one of my family's favorites is a fondue meal, though that's more like snack-style for some.

ETA, homemade pizzas with everyone's favorite toppings, with salad and dessert.

So, to you, is fun casual/participatory or, fancy/exotic ?

I would do a braise or long-cooking one-pot meal. Supplement with salad and bread.

Chicken Marbella

Chicken Cacciatore

Country Captain Chicken

Chicken Tagine (preserved lemons and olives)

Really, any chicken or chicken & rice casserole would be my choice after the more labor-intensive and precise dinner the night before. If I could, I'd make it ahead of time and freeze it.

Breakfast for dinner?

If you crockpot, this roast pork comes out great every time and it's so easy to prepare and done ahead of time. And it leaves your oven available for other dishes. Thisveggie casserole is also make ahead and very easy and has everything in it. You can also serve some sweet potatoes, a side of applesauce, and some biscuits. If you want, have a tossed salad which can also be made ahead with a selection of dressings.

I would also consider getting good frozen pasta, such as canneloni, to bake with marinara. Again, serve with salad and bread, buffet style.

What about a couple different kinds of quiche that you can cook ahead and just reheat before dinner? Bread, salad, dessert.

Thank you so much for all the brainstorming! I can't do brunch - a divorce in the family so we get together later in the evening.

I like the idea of Italian, but not based on a pasta main dish. Have to think on that.

Fondue would be fun! Even if I only did cheese or chocolate instead of as a meal. DS would love that.

Ham would work too if I found some new and good sides.

A spiral ham would be awesome. Side of potato gratin?

These would work too I think! Do you have a favorite recipe for the Cacciatore or the Country Captain? I've never made either of those, but they look like something everyone would like.

mimipadv

I would do a braise or long-cooking one-pot meal. Supplement with salad and bread.

Chicken Marbella

Chicken Cacciatore

Country Captain Chicken

Chicken Tagine (preserved lemons and olives)

Really, any chicken or chicken & rice casserole would be my choice after the more labor-intensive and precise dinner the night before. If I could, I'd make it ahead of time and freeze it.

For my Cacciatore, I use bite-size cut chicken thighs and bite-size turkey Italian sausage (hot & sweet).

Brown seasoned chicken and sausage in pot with some evoo. Remove.

To pan, add sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, garlic and Italian seasoning, and saute until they begin to get soft. Season as you cook these.

Add store-bought or homemade marinara, one large jar or about a quart.

Return chicken and sausage to pan, simmer, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes.

Country Captain Chicken from 365 Ways To Cook Chicken

1/2 cup flour

1 chicken, cut up (I use bone-in chicken thighs)

3 tbsp vegetable oil

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

2 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1/4 tsp mace

1 can (16 ounce) whole tomatoes, cut up, with juices

1 tbsp chopped parsley

1/2 cup raisins (I use golden)

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1. Place flour in a shallow dish. Roll chicken pieces in flour to coat. Shake off excess.

2. Preheat oven to 350. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook, turning, until brown, about 10 minutes. remove chicken and set aside.

3. Tot he same pan, add onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until onion and peppers are tender, about 5 minutes. Add curry powder, slat, pepper, and mace. Stir until well blended. Add tomatoes, parsley and raisins.

4. Bring to a boil and return chicken to pan. Reduce heat an simmer, partly covered, 30-40 minutes, until chicken is tender. Serve over rice and garnish with almonds.

^^ This has been a BIG hit ;-)

Build your own Christmas taco's would be fun. You could have everything ready before hand and just heat up rice and cook the meat.

You could even have a dessert toco station.

A Quick Cassoulet is yummy, here is a nice recipe, http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/weekday-cassoulet-recipe.html

I always do a boneless ham....sliced for sandwiches. I also do either shredded chicken or beef in the crockpot....for sandwiches. I make a fresh fruit salad ( just fruit...no " dressing"). Add to that a relish tray, some cheeses, etc. . I make cookies, a cake, pumpkin roll, etc. Almost everything can be made ahead of time. Now that we have little grandkids I also make a large dish of baked mac and cheese.

How about meat balls and spaghetti with salad or soup and garlic bread.

We've often done steaks on the grill for Christmas Day dinner with baked potatoes and a salad.....so easy.

To me, fun is either special or exotic, ie something flaming, or baked alaska or a whole lobster or foie gras, or... fun is casual and participatory ... a pizzabar or quesadilla bar or somesuch, decorating gingerbread or sugar cookies or making a banana split.

We also have a fairly big meal on Christmas Eve at my in-laws. For Christmas Day, because we have many coming & going throughout the day, this is what works best for my family: Beer bread with honey butter for dipping, a bread bowl with spinach dip, egg , ham & tuna finger rolls & fresh fruit & several varieties of cheese. Everyone is happy & clean up is super easy!

We had a make your own grilled cheese/ panini station last year for Christmas. It went over so well we're doing it again this year. Two types of bread, quite a few cheeses (havarti, goat, cheddar, brie, mozzarella), then lots of toppings and spreads (apples, pears, spinach, roasted red peppers, jalepenos, spicy mustard, a cranberry spread, etc.) We paired it with a large pot of homemade soup. Everyone loved coming up with their own combination.

yum, Cummingsab85! Super idea.

My fave is fig jam and green apple w sharp cheddar on 7-grain. I think I just figured out today's dinner!

Oh wow, that does sound good. I think I have all of that on hand... might just be my dinner too!

I love that idea Cummings! I would have copied Mtn's fig jam sharp cheddar if not for the fact that someone balanced the fig jam precariously in the front of frig so that when I opened the door it jumped out to attack me and died on the floor.

I'm paying attention because I need ideas, too. We have done the appetizer thing for a few years because we have people coming and going during the day so it's hard to plan for a sit-down meal. Also, I don't have a table big enough for the 12 people who might be here at one time. I agree that the appetizer thing, constantly pulling stuff out of the oven in an attempt to have a "steady stream" of apps, can get to be a pain.

What I should do is say "we are eating at 2:00" (or whatever) instead of telling people to show up whenever they want...

Jterri, OMG, the fridge door and my kids' stacking skills. I have lost so many things that way, and hit the dog on the head with a jar once to boot.

Well I hope you're all happy that I just undid my seven & half mile bike ride. All I could think of the whole time was grilled cheese sandwiches (haven't had one for ages) . So, guess what I had as soon as I got home lol?

If you have never tried it...one of my fav's from Costco.

Rugged, Mature, English ...

LOL Mtn.. I wouldn't throw him out for eating grilled cheese in bed!

When we were kids/young adults, we used to do soup and sandwiches on Christmas eve-- usually something fancier than your everyday fare. It was easy to prepare.. easy to put out and most importantly, easy to eat. Love all the suggestions for cheeses and condiments!

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I like the panini idea. That would give people something to do too. My parents don't really like to play games or anything like that. Paninis and fondue would keep them busy. We had been thinking about getting a panini maker too:) Win win.

I'm going to try those chicken and rice dishes too. Might go that direction as well! Great ideas!

We don't have a Cotsco, but I have found that wonderful Coastal cheddar at TJ's.

I go to TJ's all the time and never thought to look for it there.

Thanks Seagrass!