A Cozy Christmas Progressive Dinner
When I was asked if I could help with a Single Adult Christmas Progressive Dinner, I was truly honored. I shared a variety of menu ideas, each with its own cozy theme, and together the commity mixed and matched their favorites to create a dinner that felt personal, thoughtful, and festive. It was a joy to be part of something so intentionally planned and warmly shared.
The evening began with homemade, bite-sized cheese balls served alongside an assortment of crackers: simple, comforting, and perfect for mingling. From there, guests were welcomed with a roasted squash soup, followed by a fresh summer salad that added a light, refreshing balance to the meal.
The heart of the dinner was a traditional turkey feast, lovingly prepared and served with a vegetarian lasagna so everyone felt included at the table. To end the night on a sweet note, individual mini Bavarian apple cheesecakes were served; each one a little celebration of the season. Ice water with lemon and lime wedges and chilled apple cider rounded out the meal, keeping things both refreshing and festive.
It was one of those evenings where food did more than nourish, it brought people together, created warmth, and made the Christmas season feel just a little more special.
2025 Classic Christmas Dinners for the Masses
This year, alongside the Christmas Progressive Dinner, my family and I found ourselves saying yes to three additional Christmas dinners. What began as one festive gathering quickly grew into four; serving approximately 60 guests for the Progressive Dinner, then 40, 80, and finally nearly 200 people. It was a season filled with long days, busy kitchens, and very full hearts.
Each dinner shared the same comforting foundation: classic Christmas dishes prepared with care and intention. Rather than creating separate posts for each event with nearly identical menus, I’ve chosen to gather everything into one place; combining photos from all the dinners and sharing the recipes that carried us through this wonderfully full season.
Even though it was a lot of work to feed so many people, we wouldn’t have changed a thing. The joy these meals brought to so many was worth it a thousand times over. Seeing families, friends, neighbours, and people we hadn’t seen in years make the effort to come out meant more than words can say.
There was something especially meaningful about feeding young single adults; many of them away from home for the first time, who were craving a homemade feast made with love. Hearing those contented sighs as they dug in, watching tables fill with laughter and conversation, and seeing people linger long after the meal was finished reminded us why we do this. These dinners weren’t just about food; they were about connection, community, and creating core Christmas memories that will last long after the plates were cleared.
Bite Sized Cheese Balls
We completely forgot to take a picture of the finished display of our bite-sized cheese balls and crackers, so as a placeholder I’m sharing a photo of the ingredients we used to roll them in. The cheese balls themselves had a creamy, savory center, then were divided into thirds and rolled in diced craisins, parsley and chives, and chopped pecans; adding beautiful colour, texture, and variety.
They were served alongside an assortment of crackers, with care taken to include gluten-free options so everyone could enjoy them. Simple, flavorful, and perfect for mingling, these little cheese balls were a cozy and festive way to start the evening.
Thai Roasted Curry Butternut Squash Soup
This cozy soup is gently spiced with a hint of curry and filled with the warm, comforting flavors of roasted butternut squash and onions. Blended until silky smooth and enriched with creamy coconut milk, it’s both hearty and comforting without feeling heavy.
Finished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a splash of lime juice, if desired, the soup comes alive with bright, balanced flavors. It was a perfect addition to the meal, warming, nourishing, and full of cozy seasonal goodness.
Summer Salad
Once again, we were so focused on meal prep that we completely forgot to snap a photo of the finished salad. Even though it’s called a “Summer Salad,” it fit beautifully into the Christmas menu, bringing brightness and balance to the meal.
Built on a bed of spring salad greens, it was layered with thinly sliced apples and kiwis, mandarin orange segments, craisins, and slivered almonds. Finished with a homemade tarragon vinaigrette, the salad tied together festive colours and fresh flavours, adding a light and refreshing note to the holiday table.
A Classic Christmas Turkey Dinner
A classic turkey dinner was served, complete with roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, our famous herb stuffing, mixed vegetables, and rich gravy, alongside homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, and a tray of roasted butternut squash tossed with sweet craisins, salty feta, and a drizzle of maple syrup. For the young single adult dinner, a pan of homemade mac and cheese was added at their request, warm, cheesy, and irresistibly comforting.
Everything about the meal felt familiar and inviting, the kind of food that instantly makes you feel at home. It was simple, hearty, and made to be shared. Conversations flowing easily and that quiet sense of contentment that settles in when bellies are full and hearts are warm.
Roast Turkey That is Tender Every Time
For large-scale meals like this, I rely on 18-quart electric roasters, and they truly feel like a little kitchen magic. There’s something so comforting about lifting the lid and being greeted by the aroma of perfectly roasting turkey.
These roasters make cooking for a crowd feel calm and manageable, producing turkey that’s juicy, flavourful, and so tender it practically falls off the bone. When you’re feeding so many people you care about, having a method you can trust brings peace of mind.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are one of those dishes that quietly anchor a meal. Smooth, fluffy, and generously seasoned, they bring everything on the plate together, ready to catch gravy, butter, or herbs without stealing the spotlight. Whether served at a holiday gathering or a simple family dinner, they offer a familiar comfort that feels both dependable and indulgent, making them a side dish people return to again and again.
Mixed Vegetables
Mixed vegetables are a simple, reliable side dish that brings colour, balance, and nourishment to the table. A blend of tender carrots, peas, corn, and beans adds freshness to any meal, pairing easily with everything from roasted meats to hearty casseroles. Prepared gently and seasoned just right, mixed vegetables offer knowing comfort, familiar, satisfying, and always welcome alongside a well-loved main dish.
Famous Herb Stuffing
Our famous herb stuffing is more than just a side dish; it’s a tradition that signals the start of a special meal. The moment butter melts with onions, celery, and herbs, the kitchen fills with a familiar aroma that everyone recognizes and looks forward to. Passed down and requested year after year, this stuffing holds its place at the table not because it’s fancy, but because it’s deeply loved, dependable, and woven into some of our favorite memories together.
Roasted Butternut Squash With Craisins, Crumbled Feta and Maple Syrup
Roasted butternut squash with craisins, feta, and maple syrup is a dish that surprises people in the best way. Roasted until tender and lightly caramelized, the squash develops a rich sweetness that’s often mistaken for sweet potatoes; most guests don’t realize they’re eating butternut squash until they’re told. A drizzle of maple syrup enhances that natural sweetness, while tart craisins add bright little pops of contrast. Finished with crumbled feta that softens over the warm squash, the dish strikes a beautiful balance of sweet and savory, making it a standout side that feels familiar, inviting, and just a little unexpected.
Baked Mac And Cheese
Baked mac and cheese is the kind of dish that instantly feels familiar and satisfying. Creamy pasta wrapped in a rich cheese sauce, topped with a golden, bubbling finish, makes it a favorite at both family dinners and larger gatherings. It’s hearty without being heavy, comforting without being plain, and always one of the first dishes to disappear. Served straight from the oven, baked mac and cheese brings everyone back to the table for just one more spoonful.
Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups
Spinach lasagna roll ups bring all the comfort of classic lasagna in a beautifully simple, individual form. Each roll is filled with a creamy blend of cheese and tender spinach, wrapped in soft pasta, and baked in savory sauce until perfectly tender. They feel thoughtful and inviting without being complicated, making them a lovely option for family dinners, casual entertaining, or anytime you want a meal that’s both familiar and a little special.
Turkey Gravy
When I was first asked to make a turkey dinner for about 150 people years ago, I did what felt most natural to me and made the gravy completely from scratch, carefully using the turkey drippings and tending to it right up until serving time. As wonderful as it was, I quickly learned how hectic those final moments before the meal could be, with so many moving pieces all needing attention at once.
While at the store, I noticed a bulk turkey gravy mix and decided to give it a try. It wasn’t quite the same as my homemade gravy, but it was good enough and more importantly, it lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Adding it to my list for large events brought a sense of calm to those last-minute preparations, allowing me to focus more on the people, the gathering, and the joy of sharing a meal made with love.
Lion House Rolls
Lion House rolls are a beloved classic, known for their soft, tender texture and lightly sweet flavor. First made famous at the historic Lion House Restaurant in Utah, these rolls have become a symbol of welcoming tables and memorable meals. Served warm and brushed with butter, they’re the kind of bread everyone reaches for first; simple, timeless, and deeply tied to the joy of gathering together.
Bavarian Apple Cheesecake
We didn’t forget to take a picture of dessert this time, yay! These individual mini Bavarian apple cheesecakes were the perfect cozy ending to the evening. The crust was made gluten-free so everyone could enjoy them, with a tender, shortbread-like base that felt comforting and familiar from the very first bite.
Each cake was filled with creamy cheesecake, topped with gently spiced sliced apples and slivered almonds, then finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Warm, homey, and full of comforting flavours, these little desserts are always a favorite at gatherings. I’ve been told more than once that they’re “out of this world,” and they truly feel like a hug on a plate.
Apple Cider And Mulled Cider
Every year, I make a special trip up to my Omi’s farm to help her harvest the fruit from her orchard. After making sure she has everything she wants carefully stored away for the winter months, we gather up the rest to enjoy fresh or turn into applesauce, apple pie filling, and of course, apple cider.
The apples are taken to a local press where they are washed, pressed, pasteurized, and packaged into convenient milk-style bags. We freeze them to enjoy throughout the year, savouring a little taste of the orchard until the next harvest rolls around. It’s a tradition filled with hard work, togetherness, and the simple joy of sharing something homemade and special.
For these Christmas dinners , chilled chider and warm cups of mulled cider added the perfect finishing touch to the meal. Simmered gently with cozy spices, it filled the space with the comforting aroma of the season and invited everyone to slow down and linger just a little longer. There’s something so simple and nostalgic about wrapping your hands around a hot cup of cider, letting the warmth sink in while sharing stories, laughter, and the quiet joy of being together.
Punch
For this fruit punch, I decided to use some of my homemade juice concentrates. Each batch was made with a jar of concentrated redcurrant, rhubarb, and pineapple syrup, half a package of pink lemonade drink crystals, and plenty of lemon-lime soda. The result was bright, refreshing, and full of nostalgic sweetness and it was an absolute hit. Not a single drop was left behind.
So many guests asked for the recipe, which made my heart smile. Unfortunately, I’m not sure these exact ingredients can be found in local stores, but that almost makes it more special. One of those cozy, once-in-a-while treats made with what you have on hand and shared with people you love.