5 Christmas Dinner Alternatives
Christmas is approaching quickly, which for many of us means the usual feast of ham, mashed potatoes, and whatever Pinterest inspired side-dish your aunt decided to bring. Ham is a Christmas tradition for numerous families who celebrate the holiday, however, not everyone goes ham for ham. Below are five Christmas dinner alternatives for those of us who aren’t particularly fond of this tradition.
1. ‘Tis the SEAson
A staple of many Catholic families is eating fish for their Christmas meal, however, you don’t have to be Catholic to take a trip under the sea this holiday season. Many families opt for salmon or an Atlantic cod for their Christmas dinner, so if you’re a fan of seafood, test the waters with this Christmas dinner alternative.
2. Ditch the meat
I decided to make the dietary decision a year ago to ditch the meat. No, I’m not here to convince you to become a vegetarian. However, if you are a vegetarian, or you’d just prefer a meatless holiday dinner try a hearty vegetable soup or a more filling option such as an eggplant parmesan. Either way, I doubt your guests will be too disappointed.
3. MOOve over ham
Pork isn’t the only meat available on Christmas, and honestly, the other meats are probably more available due to the increased ham demand that accompanies this holiday. A great alternative to your typical ham dinner is swapping out the ham for a nice steak or similar beef dish. Options are endless and can include meatloaf, pot roast, or brisket. This is an easy one Christmas dinner alternatives.
4. Save room for dessert
Christmas is full of sugar cookies, fudge, and all sorts of sweets, so why fill up on dinner? Ditch the pig for a lighter option this Christmas and try making a chicken cobb salad that will satisfy your taste buds and leave plenty of room for dessert.
5. Carbs don’t count on Christmas… right?
Everyone seems to be worried about carbs lately, but come on, if Santa can eat an abundance of cookies in one night, I think you can splurge on the carbs for one night. One carb-loaded, ham-free Christmas dinner option is a pasta dish. Whether it be chicken fettuccine alfredo, classic spaghetti, or a fancier option such as penne with vodka sauce, you really can’t go wrong. This is one of the easiest Christmas dinner alternatives.