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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!

Next Up
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Christmas Recipes

Featured Recipe

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
102 Saves

Deep-Fried Turkey with Southern Rub
Turkey Christmas Thanksgiving Southern Deep-Frying Frying Roasting Holidays Fried Food Poultry Main Dish Medium
6 Saves

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!
5 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!
27 Saves

Christmas Compote with Spiced Rioja
Christmas Dessert Sauces Spanish Vegetarian Fruit Side Dish Holidays
115 Saves

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

Red and Green Icebox Pinwheel Cookies
Christmas American Baking Cookies Medium Dessert Baking Powder Eggs Butter Vanilla Extract Kosher Salt Flour Sugar Holiday Cookies Food Coloring
120 Saves

The Ultimate Eggnog Punch
Christmas Punch Eggnog Dinner Party Bourbon Milk Dairy Eggs Nutmeg Cocktails Drink Holidays Sugar Cream Cocktail Party Easy
18 Saves

Bridget Moynahan's Swedish Meatballs
Christmas Meatballs Dinner Winter Easy American Ground Beef Beef Stock Sour Cream Eggs Butter Allspice Ground Pork Onions Kosher Salt Holidays White Bread Flour Black Pepper
See All Christmas Recipes ›

Community Discussions

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Is it appropriate to give gift to bartender fro Christmas?

by rose18 3 hours ago

So, here's the thing. My partner and I have been frequenting the same bar for nearly a year or more now and there is ...

Njchicaa

Njchicaa commented 11 minutes ago

Christmas Bartender Gift Ideas

Holiday Treats 2018

by Caitlin McGrath 1 month ago

It’s not too soon to start thinking about what homemade goodies we’ll be giving to family, friends, neighbors, collea...

s

smfan commented 44 minutes ago

Christmas Hanukkah Kwanzaa Candy Host & Hostess Gifts Holidays Gift Ideas Holiday Cookies
4

Pre-make Christmas dinner ideas?

by valmomofboys 1 day ago

Any ideas how to assemble a christmas dinner for 8? I need to prepare 2-3 days in advance, and drive it 7 hours in ic...

KarenDW

KarenDW commented 2 hours ago

Christmas Make Ahead

No oven on Christmas - What should I cook?!

by ursalita 6 days ago

It looks like I'll be hosting Christmas dinner with no oven. I will have access to all 5 burners on top of the stove....

KarenDW

KarenDW commented 2 hours ago

Christmas Vegetarian Meal Planning

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,...

l

luvairbons commented 1 day ago

Christmas Candy Mint
4

Christmas Dinner

by minncalif 4 days ago

I'm wodering if there is a way to make a lamb roast and roasted potatoes in the oven at the same time. there roasting...

f

fourunder commented 3 days ago

Christmas Roasting Meal Planning

Your favorite no-bake Christmas cookies?

by coll 20 days ago

I find myself without a working oven for the time being, and won't be able to get a repair done until after the end o...

coll

coll commented 5 days ago

Christmas Baking No-Cook Cookies

Aperol Spritzers

by shazzam 10 days ago

What appis can I bring to a small Xmas gathering serving Aperol Spritzers?

h

Harters commented 5 days ago

Christmas Appetizer Party Planning

Festive Traditional Christmas Dinner in Paris

by frostingfriends 5 days ago

Hi. I'm looking for a restaurant with a festive atmosphere that serves a traditional Christmas dinner in Paris. Any...

Parnassien

Parnassien commented 5 days ago

France Christmas Paris

Christmas day-off

by Foxeyblue 7 days ago

We have a Christmas day just the two of us sandwiched in between two days of family Christmas chaos with travel and l...

m

Madrid commented 5 days ago

Christmas Healthy Meal Planning

Need help completing Christmas Menu

by JBN 10 days ago

I’m hosting Christmas this year, and will be making both lunch and dinner. For lunch I’m making chicken and rice, sh...

s

small h commented 7 days ago

Christmas Meal Planning
1

Christmas Cookies 2018

by megney1 15 days ago

Hi All! I am prepping for Christmas cookie baking, and wanted to see what type of cookies you all like to make! I'...

c

ChefPattiJean commented 8 days ago

Christmas Baking Cookies Holiday Cookies
2

Christmas Breakfast

by iheartcooking 8 years ago

I'll admit I've seen posts along these lines so don't be mad that I'm asking... Traditionally I make Christmas Bre...

q

Querencia commented 8 days ago

Christmas Breakfast

Christmas gift ideas for Naples resident?

by Ratatouille 8 years ago

Hey chowhounds, My dad and his girlfriend live in Naples and I'm kinda stuck for a christmas gift to get them. I'm ...

c

Counselorkrs commented 11 days ago

Florida Christmas Gift Ideas

Finding the right Glühwein recipe, or is it the right wine? Or both?

by magnoliasouth 13 days ago

First off, I apologize for the length of this post. I just wanted to explain so you fully get what my problem is. ...

s

sr44 commented 11 days ago

Christmas German Wine Lost Recipes

Spanish turron

by lorry04 21 days ago

Hi all, I just recently moved to Cambridge MA and was wondering were in the Boston area could I find Spanish turro...

l

lorry04 commented 13 days ago

Boston Area Spain Christmas Cambridge Where to Buy...

Dim sum Christmas

by d4shop 17 days ago

Rather than hosting Christmas dinner, I’m thinking of dim sum late lunch then hosting a dessert buffet. Any recommend...

Ruth Lafler

Ruth Lafler commented 15 days ago

San Francisco Bay... Christmas Dim Sum San Mateo

Tate's Bake Shop Chocolate Peppermint Cookies - Ina Garten's Icebox Cake

by vanessa7 19 days ago

I couldn't resist picking up a box of Tate's double chocolate peppermint cookies from Whole Foods yesterday. Like the...

v

vanessa7 commented 18 days ago

Christmas Baking Cakes

Holiday Dinner for a Dozen (or so)

by partyfoodie 22 days ago

I am having a dozen or so family for a holiday get-together dinner and I don't have a large enough dining area to sea...

thegforceny

thegforceny commented 21 days ago

Christmas Party Planning

Rose's Christmas Cookies by Rose Levy Beranbaum - anybody baking from this?

by buttertart 8 years ago

Hi all, have perused this book and come up with some things I absolutely have to make (the three-nut ovals sound subl...

b

Barara1456 commented 23 days ago

Christmas Cookies Holiday Cookies

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