Christmas Dinner Checklist
A Christmas dinner checklist helps you keep track of what you’re serving, what you need to buy, and what you can get done ahead of time.
From choosing the main dish to finding enough serving spoons, a little planning makes hosting easier.
Start organizing your holiday meal and then get your free printable to keep your plans handy while you shop and prep all of our favorite Christmas recipes.
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Get Your Free Printable Christmas Dinner Checklist
Keep your Christmas dinner plans in one place so you’re not trying to remember everything on a busy holiday morning.
Enter your email below and I’ll send you the printable checklist, plus easy recipes and meal ideas from Momma Lew.
What Should Be on a Christmas Dinner Checklist?
Your checklist should cover more than the food. Include your guest count, menu, grocery shopping, cooking schedule, and the supplies you’ll need to serve everything.
Guest Count and Dietary Needs
- Confirm how many adults and children are coming.
- Ask about food allergies or dietary restrictions.
- Decide what time you’ll serve dinner.
- Find out what guests are bringing.
- Check that you have enough chairs and place settings.
Christmas Dinner Menu
- Appetizers or snacks.
- Main dish.
- Side dishes.
- Bread or rolls.
- Sauces, gravy, and condiments.
- Christmas Desserts.
- Drinks, including nonalcoholic options.
Grocery Shopping
- Review every recipe and write down the ingredients.
- Check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer before shopping.
- Combine ingredients used in more than one recipe.
- Include ice, drinks, and coffee supplies.
- Pick up foil, parchment paper, and food storage containers as needed.
Cooking and Serving Supplies
- Check your roasting pans, baking dishes, and sheet pans.
- Match each dish with a serving bowl or platter.
- Set aside serving spoons, tongs, and a carving knife.
- Check your food thermometer.
- Plan which dishes need the oven, stovetop, or slow cooker.
Table Setup and Cleanup
- Set out plates, glasses, utensils, and napkins.
- Leave enough room on the table for the food.
- Make space in the refrigerator for leftovers.
- Have containers ready for guests taking food home.
- Check your supply of trash bags, dish soap, and dishwasher detergent.
How to Plan Your Christmas Dinner Menu
Start with the main dish, then choose sides that work with it. You don’t need to make every family favorite—pick a manageable menu with a mix of dishes you can prepare ahead and dishes you’ll finish before dinner.
Choose Your Main Dish
Turkey, glazed ham, roast beef, and prime rib are familiar Christmas dinner choices. Pick something that fits your budget, guest count, and cooking space.
Check the recipe’s cooking and resting times before planning the rest of your meal.
Add a Few Appetizers
One or two appetizer recipes can keep guests satisfied while dinner finishes cooking. Choose something easy to set out, such as a cheese ball, dip, or charcuterie board.
Pick Your Side Dishes
A simple starting point is a potato dish, a vegetable dish, and bread or rolls. Add family favorites as your schedule and kitchen space allow.
Before committing to several casseroles, check whether they need different oven temperatures or compete with your main dish for space.
Choose Dessert
Pick a dessert recipe you can make ahead so you have one less job on Christmas Day. Cakes, cookies, and other individual treats give guests a few options without requiring a big dessert spread.
Find inspiration in my Christmas cake ideas and Christmas mini Bundt cake recipes.
Plan the Drinks
Include water and a nonalcoholic option alongside any holiday cocktails. Remember coffee, tea, milk or creamer, and ice.
A Simple Christmas Dinner List
If you need a starting point, build your menu around this list:
- Appetizer: Cheese and crackers or a make-ahead dip.
- Main dish: Glazed ham or roast turkey.
- Potato side: Mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes.
- Vegetable side: Roasted carrots or green beans.
- Bread: Dinner rolls with butter.
- Extras: Gravy for turkey, cranberry sauce, or your favorite condiments.
- Dessert: Cake recipes, Christmas cookies, or mini Bundt cakes.
- Drinks: Water, sparkling cider, and coffee.
Swap in your family’s favorites and note which items guests will bring before writing your grocery list.
When to Start Planning Christmas Dinner
Start a few weeks ahead by confirming your guests and choosing your menu. During Christmas week, finish shopping and tackle any prep your recipes allow you to do early.
Use my free printable Christmas Dinner Checklist to keep track of the details as you get ready.
What Can I Prepare Ahead for Christmas Dinner?
Start with recipes that include clear make-ahead instructions. Dips, cranberry sauce, some desserts, and certain casseroles can often be prepared before Christmas Day, but storage and reheating directions vary.
You can also get several non-cooking jobs done early:
- Gather serving dishes and utensils.
- Set the table.
- Measure dry ingredients.
- Organize ingredients by recipe.
- Write down cooking times and oven temperatures.
- Assign a few jobs to family members.
Even small tasks make a difference when you’re finishing several dishes at once.
Starting two to three weeks ahead gives you time to confirm guests, choose recipes, and organize your shopping. If you have less time, begin with your guest count and main dish, then keep the rest of the menu manageable.
Your grocery list will depend on your menu. Along with recipe ingredients, remember drinks, ice, butter, sauces, coffee supplies, and containers for leftovers. Check what you already have before shopping.
Use one menu, one combined grocery list, and a cooking schedule. Write down which dishes need the oven and when, and choose a few recipes you can prepare ahead. Assigning guests or family members specific jobs also helps.
How do I get the free printable Christmas Dinner Checklist?
Enter your email in the signup form and I’ll send you the printable. Download it from the email, open the PDF, and print the pages you need.
Planning Your Christmas Baking Too?
Dinner is only part of the holiday prep. My Christmas Baking Planner helps you organize baking days, ingredients, cookies, and homemade gifts so you can spread the work out before Christmas.
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