Holiday Meals with Company: What Worked for Us this Year

Over Christmas this year, we were privileged to host several extended family members in our own home, which was such a thrill for us since we are usually traveling for the holidays. I knew that with 6 adults and 5 children to feed at various stages throughout the week, I would need to have a firm meal plan in place ahead of time, so I made a detailed grocery list and away I went. All in all, I think that everything worked out quite well, and I only needed to make a couple of additional grocery store runs when we ran out of milk, fresh produce, bread, and red wine 🙂 Here are the meals that I made, easily adapted for children, and many of which I froze ahead of time in order to allow more afternoons spent having fun with our company!

Christmas dinner: Pork tenderloin, oven-roasted potatoes, green beans, rolls

Thursday: Pasta with bolognese sauce (frozen); salad

Friday: Roasted butternut squash and sweet potato soup (frozen); broccoli; Pizza for the kids

Saturday: Chili (frozen); Cornbread souffle; Broccoli; Mac & cheese for the kids

Sunday: Dinner at a casual Italian restaurant

Monday: Grilled chicken fajitas with lots of toppings; Broccoli

Additional grocery items: Lots of bananas and apples; Different cereals and oatmeal; Plenty of coffee and creamer; Wine; A variety of raw veggies and hummus; Brie and crackers; Cookies; Frozen waffles; Almonds; Extra eggs; Bread and lunch meats; Extra peanut butter

What are your go-to meals when you have company staying with you? Which grocery staples do you make sure to have on-hand for your guests?

Many blessings to you and your family as you prepare to enter 2014. Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us!