Consolation: I imagine dried tart cherries would work. My aunt left out the raisins–not sure why.
Anything described as “mini boozy doughnuts” would be a hit in my family. 
Butternut Squash soup
Beef tenderlion
Sweet potato galette with carmelized onions and goat cheese (a galette is a fancy way of saying all of the ingredients wrapped up in a pie crust and baked)
Green beans or brussel sprouts
Usually cheesecake for dessert 
Last year I made white chocolate raspberry cheesecake with a chocolate crust
I made that dessert one year, it was wonderful.
There was one holiday when I spent two+ days making a chocolate ganache torte (it was perfect, if complicated.) Then a guest surprised me with the same. More left over than we could give away.
I am going to be at my niece’s house on Christmas day, staying with my mother in CT before and after. I volunteered to bring dessert. There will be 6 adults and 5 children, one of whom is an infant and doesn’t count, and one of whom is 2 or 3, and so doesn’t really count either.
I am thinking of making a trifle with Rose Beranbaum’s Golden Almond cake, Ethereal Pear Bavarian Cream (it’s made with pear poaching liquid) and thinly sliced poached pears. And maybe some lightly sweetened whipped cream with some Kirsch or Poire William. (Maybe some toasted ground almonds…)Perhaps a dark chocolate sauce on the side to mimic Poires Belle Helene, one of my favorite desserts. May have to bring down a crystal bowl, since I can’t recall what my mother has along those lines.
I happen to have 3 Harry&David Royal Riviera pears, which is just the right amount.
Otherwise, I could make a classic Buche de Noel, but it doesn’t thrill me. My original thought, before I remembered that I had the pears, was a “Savannah” trifle, which is made with a rich yellow cake sprinkled with bourbon or cream sherry, homemade vanilla custard, and lightly sweetened whipped cream. I love it, but unlike most people I am somewhat tired of chocolate.
Opinions?
ETA: I am really not concerned with making a “kid” dessert. They can always eat some other sweets, or develop a palate.
^ A few of us near enough to you need to meet at your place to cook and bake together. 
Cuban Heritage here (recipes for all this can be found at icuban dot com)
We celebrate on Christmas Eve. We have dinner, then go to midnight mass (Catholic) then we come back home and open presents. On the 25th we have a big American breakfast (like what you would order at Denny’s) and relax with the family. Below is the Dinner menu for Christmas Eve:
- Cuban Roast Pork
- white rice
- black beans
- Maduros (fried ripened plantains)
- Yuca con mojo (Yucca - root vegetable, w/garlic olive oil sauce
- fresh Cuban or French bread
Dessert: This varies year to year, but it will be one of the following
- Rum Cake
- Flan
- Tres Leches Cake
- ice cream w/crushed cookies or Sara Lee pound cake (great-grandma’s favorite!)
Honey Baked Ham, cheesy cubed potato casserole, steamed green beans, sweet potato soufflé, & applesauce, followed by ice cream & cookies & pizzelles. Every year without fail. We enjoy it, it works with a busy day schedule, and everyone knows just what to expect.
@Massmomm, do you follow the wild mushroom bread pudding recipe to the T? I noticed in the comments section that some people double the mushrooms, others use Challa bread rather in French, and someone cautioned not to cook it too long so it doesn’t get too “eggy.” Since this is my first try at it, I don’t want to screw it up! I liked the idea of using challa, though.
I’d love to see a vegetarian version of this thread!
I just got laughed at because my stomach is loudly making humpback whale sounds at how delicious all of the food sounds!
:))
I do ham and turkey for dinner, I’d like to try making prime rib but I’ve never done it. Sil does heavy appetizers for Christmas eve, and I’m bringing brie in puff pastry with apricot preserves.
Lol there goes my stomach again!
I am seriously getting hungry reading about all your delicious meals!
Eve: go to friends for 7 fishes
Day: go to mom’s for Lamb and roasted potatoes - it’s always fantastic; but since D is now vegetarian, I will also be cooking/bringing a lasagna for her with no meat!
We’ve occasionally had sirloin instead and @sevmom always with the horseradish/sour cream, yum!
Costco meats - they are quite good. S/O often comes home (as he did just last night) with a pack of 4 steaks
Christmas eve meal consist of Gumbo and tamales. Christmas meal is prime rib with the fixings. Everybody enjoys it.
Well, I got the ham and Madeira and will figure it out tomorrow (for dinner, Sat.) The girls are in charge of everything else.
@lookingforward , you really need the mushrooms for the duxelles, also.
If you can’t find the recipe, let me know and I will PM you with it. Or, if you want to PM me with your email, I will take pictures of the pages in the book and email them to you.
^^^ This is so kind. <3 CC people are amazing!
The client set the deadline at noon… Which means they will not bug me after that!!! Phew. I. Can. Make. A. Christmas. Eve. Dinner!
I am thinking a tenderloin and that wonderful horseradish sauce. Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, a green salad… yay.
@Nrsb, Follow it the first time! If your family has comments, you can alter the recipe later!
Maybe it’s a regional thing, but I’m so surprised at how many people are having Brussels sprouts as part of their holiday meal.
I LOVE them! But there would probably be a rebellion if I served them on Christmas.
Brussel sprouts are trendy the past few years. I’m not a picky eater but I don’t care for them and am tired of seeing them on restaurant menus… Most of family loves them but, since I’m doing the cooking, green beans w/ bacons and shallots it will be!