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Christmas

'Tis the season! Chat with Chowhounds about your favorite Christmas traditions: restaurants open for the holiday, family meals, go-to baking recipes, and more.

Tip
Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?
There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.
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Next: What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?
Tip
What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?
Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.
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Next: How Can We Celebrate Christmas?
Tip
How Can We Celebrate Christmas?
Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.
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Next: Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?
How to Make Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies
While demonstrating recipes for simple sugar cookies and royal icing, Amy Wisniewski of the CHOW Test Kitchen shares a few helpful tips that'll help keep your holiday cookie-baking and -decorating fun and easy!

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Christmas Recipes

Featured Recipe

Meatballs al Forno in Arrabbiata Sauce
Los Angeles Area Christmas Italian Dinner Party Ground Beef Milk Eggs Olive Oil Basil Chili Powder Oregano Parsley Ground Pork Meatballs Garlic Onions Tomatoes Dinner Make Ahead Kosher Salt Easy Breadcrumbs Black Pepper Eat: Bon Appétit!
6 Saves

Christmas Brisket Fried Rice
Jewish Stir-Fry Brisket Jasmine Rice Dinner Easy Christmas Hanukkah American Asian Soy Sauce Eggs Canola Oil Lime Juice Cilantro Ginger Garlic Green Peas Peas Scallions Kosher Salt Black Pepper Sriracha
4 Saves

Hot Chocolate Cookies with Aleppo Pepper
Christmas American Dessert Dark Chocolate Cookies Hot Chocolate Winter Baking Chocolate Baking Soda Eggs Butter Vanilla Extract Brown Sugar Cocoa Powder Granulated Sugar Marshmallows Kosher Salt Flour Holiday Cookies Eat: Bon Appétit!
5 Saves

Latke Reubens
Hanukkah Jewish Frying Pastrami Potatoes Appetizer Christmas Apple Cider Vinegar Baking Powder Hot Sauce Ketchup Mustard Sour Cream Eggs Canola Oil Apples Dill Horseradish Brown Sugar Cabbage Celery Onions Kosher Salt Holidays Flour Latkes Medium Black Pepper
6 Saves

Dutch Applesauce Raisin Cake
Christmas Scandinavian Baking Breakfast Applesauce Cakes Easy Brandy Baking Soda Buttermilk Eggs Butter Raisins Cinnamon Cloves Nutmeg Brown Sugar Powdered Sugar Brunch Kosher Salt Flour Sugar
149 Saves

German Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
Mulled Christmas Thanksgiving German Dinner Party Potluck Liqueur Red Wine Punch Infusion Cocktails Drink Water Holidays Sugar Winter Comfort Food Easy
115 Saves

Candy Cane Cookies
Christmas Dessert Cookies Holiday Cookies Kid Friendly Holidays Sugar Cocktail Party Easy
14 Saves

Savory Cheese Cookies
Christmas Scandinavian Gouda Appetizer Easy Easter New Year's Eve Academy Awards Dinner Party Parmesan Gin Baking Powder Milk Butter Cookies Snack Kosher Salt Holidays Party Planning Flour Cheese Cocktail Party Black Pepper
711 Saves

Garlicky Pot Roast
Slow Cooking Beef Garlic Main Dish Christmas St. Patrick's Day Hanukkah Jewish Braising Leftovers Holidays Beer Winter Comfort Food Easy Eat: Bon Appétit!
See All Christmas Recipes ›

Community Discussions

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Mad hunt for vintage candy

by Phil_A_Mignon 11 years ago

My wife, for years, has raved about a holiday candy she enjoyed when she was a young girl back in the late seventies,...

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mizrockport commented 3 days ago

Christmas Candy Mint
3

Lunch Christmas day 2018 in Los Angeles or close to LAX Airport

by tracybrettj 2 months ago

Hi, We arrive from Australia Christmas day into LA and looking for a restaurant for Christmas Lunch 5 adults. Any ...

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MariaFeliz commented 12 days ago

Los Angeles Area Christmas Trip Planning

Best English Christmas Cake Recipe

by yesilovestotravel 21 days ago

Hi everyone! I’m looking for an awesome English Christmas Mature cake Recipe... too many online and I’m overwhelmed a...

s

saregama commented 20 days ago

Christmas Baking

Fruitcake: which fruits? which liquors?

by vjb 25 days ago

I want to make a fruitcake like the kind made by a friend's aunt, who, though from Trinidad, threw her family's recip...

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medlar commented 24 days ago

Christmas British Caribbean Baking Ingredient Substi...

Help with logistics on transporting Christmas breakfast and other items

by janehathaway 26 days ago

We will be spending Christmas in our new vacation/eventual retirement home this year. Due to my daughter’s schedule,...

b

beevod commented 25 days ago

Christmas Breakfast Transporting Food

££ Christmas Day Dinner in London

by kathy768 1 month ago

Hi All, Any reasonably-priced recos for Christmas Day dinner in London? Some more info: * reasonably-priced = ma...

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Foxeyblue commented 1 month ago

Christmas England London
Restaurants & Bars Be the first to comment

Curacao dining recommendations

j
 by jacolis 1 month ago

Hi all, Visiting Curacao for a week over Christmas. Trying to identify some good restaurants. Looking at some ol...

Latin America & C... Christmas Curacao Trip Planning
Restaurants & Bars Be the first to comment

Christmas in Copenhagen

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 by JonPi 2 months ago

Doing a family holiday trip to Copenhagen. My older son's girlfriend and her mom will be there as well. Any recommend...

Europe Christmas Denmark Copenhagen Trip Planning

Christmas dinner in Innsbruck (or surrounding area)

by jmccain82 6 years ago

Hello, my husband and I will be in Innsbruck for over Christmas and are would love restaurant recommendations for din...

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pokuneff commented 3 months ago

Europe Christmas Dinner

4 nights in Nashville over Christmas

by jcoves73 4 months ago

Hey everyone! I will be visiting Nashville for the first time over the Christmas holiday and I’m really excited. We w...

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jcoves73 commented 3 months ago

Christmas Tennessee Nashville Trip Planning

Breakfast in Bed

by ishturns50 6 months ago

SO - I am turning 50 this December and it is my plan to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular in NYC. I would be ha...

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saregama commented 6 months ago

Manhattan Christmas Breakfast Trip Planning

Mexican foodie adventure, recommendations?

by Belkisw 1 year ago

I have not been to Mexico since I was a child, and have decided this coming Christmas my husband, mother, and I shoul...

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Belkisw commented 10 months ago

Mexico Christmas Trip Planning

Serve other food at a morning cookie exchange?

by mhulgrave 11 months ago

Hosting a morning Christmas cookie exchange at 9 am. Will be serving coffee/tea etc. Do I need to have other food o...

d

damiano commented 10 months ago

Christmas Party Planning

Mariners' Christmas Challenges

by Saylors_Christmas 11 months ago

I am working on a commercial ship. We did not get our full provisions which were expected at our last port, and there...

s

SunnyAnd75 commented 10 months ago

Christmas BBQ Food Preferences

Holiday Treats 2017

by Caitlin McGrath 12 months ago

What kind of cookies, cake, confections, savory snacks, preserves, potables, and so on are you planning to put by for...

Caitlin McGrath

Caitlin McGrath commented 11 months ago

Christmas Christmas Eve Hanukkah Candy Snack Holidays Gift Ideas Holiday Cookies
4

Where to eat on Christmas Day 2017

by Regina999 1 year ago

Hi all. My daughter and I are spending Christmas in Chicago this year (we will be staying in the Loop). I've been s...

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Regina999 commented 11 months ago

Chicago Area Christmas
1

What's it like in Key West post-Irma?

by dcbbq 12 months ago

We're headed to Key West for Christmas, and wonder what to expect. Are all of the restaurants and hotels back up and...

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Foodjunkiez commented 11 months ago

Florida Christmas Trip Planning Restaurant Intel Florida Keys

Veg-friendly Christmas in Honolulu

by slyc 11 months ago

My husband and I will be in Honolulu for Christmas. Does anyone have recommendations for good places to eat that are ...

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macaraca commented 11 months ago

Hawaii Christmas Vegetarian Honolulu Trip Planning

What's your traditional Christmas dinner?

by coffeebean79 11 months ago

My parents were not foodies and I didn't grow up with any solid Christmas dinner traditions. I have two young kids (w...

Kimnamkimchi

Kimnamkimchi commented 11 months ago

Christmas Holidays Meal Planning
2

Nice Christmas dinner near Beverly Hills

by josephnl 8 years ago

We want to take an elegant older woman to dinner on Christmas day in the Beverly Hills area. She is very special and...

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malibulady commented 11 months ago

Los Angeles Area Christmas Dinner Beverly Hills

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