This year for Christmas dinner, I prepared and served a 12 Days of Christmas themed meal (12 Courses!) My parents, friend Carol, and her son Mike joined me.
Table Decor
- I like the look of placemats on top of a tablecloth.
- I made simple place cards using this clip art.
- We used these napkin rings that I had from my tea party. My Mom beautifully arranged them.
- My Mom made the centerpiece. She found different items to represent the 12 days. They were added for each course.
- Menu cards – I printed them and folded for a tri-sided place card. We turned them for each set of 4 courses.
Menu
I planned the menu to include some make ahead and freeze and make ahead and refrigerate items. I prepared a lot of items the day before. I tried to keep the courses small since there were 12 courses! We had a set of 4 courses and took a break. I planned it to be a slow meal and it took the place of 2 meals. I was inspired by many of the 12 Days of Christmas themed posts available but I put my own spin on them.
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a partridge in a pear tree.
Mini Poached Pear with Partridge Crisp – I made my own pie crust for the partridges. Their eyes are mini chocolate sprinkles. I served them with Mascarpone instead of whipped cream. We poached the pears a day ahead and stored overnight in the refrigerator in the liquid. These had a wonderful flavor. I reduced the sauce a few hours before serving. I reduced it too much since I was concerned about it being too liquidly.
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me, two turtle doves.
Chocolate Turtles– I used Werther’s Chewy Caramels and Wegmans Cyprus Sea Salt flakes. Delicious! We made them a day ahead. They stuck to the parchment so we put them in the freezer. I thought that they were difficult to eat but my guests had no problem with them.
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me, three French hens.
French Onion Soup – I mostly followed this but used Vermouth instead of the Red Wine. I made the soup a day ahead.
Cheese Bread Hens – I made this focaccia without the topping (the day before). My Mom cut the hens with a cookie cutter and then sliced in half. Shortly before serving, I broiled some shredded Wegmans Le Gruyere cheese on top of the Hens and put into bowls filled with the heated soup.
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, four calling birds.
Vegetable Food Art – Daikon birds cut with a cookie cutter, zucchini musical notes cut with a mini cutter, carrot sticks. Served on homemade pesto that I made a week before and put in my freezer. This was a refreshing and delicious course!
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, five golden rings.
Onion Rings – my Dad made his onion rings. Served with Ranch dip made with Hidden Valley Ranch packet and sour cream.
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me, six geese a laying.
Romaine Macadamia Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette – (click on print to see the entire recipe). I couldn’t find frozen cranberry concentrate. I used unsweetened cranberry juice with maple syrup in the vinaigrette. I used whole macadamia nuts for the “eggs”. I shredded Irish Cheddar for the salads.
Kohlrabi Geese cut with a cookie cutter.
On the 7th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, seven swans a swimming.
Swans – Homemade Ravioli cut with a cookie cutter. I used this dough and filled with a mixture of Ricotta, Parmesan, and Asiago cheeses. I made the swans a week ahead and put in my freezer.
Savory Blueberry Sauce – I didn’t use the thyme. This was my first time making a savory blueberry sauce. I would make it again.
On the 8th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, eight maids a milking.
Mini Milkshakes – talenti Peppermint Bark ice cream with whole milk, sprinkled crushed candy canes on top. This was delicious and the candy cane gave it a special touch!
On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, nine ladies dancing.
Ladies Dancing Tortilla Chips – cut flour tortillas with a cookie cutter, place on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray, spray with cooking spray and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp. I planned on making Salty Ladies but I forgot to salt them.
Cheese – I did a cheese consult at Wegmans.
- Wegmans Marcel Petite Comte
- Balderson 6 Year Extra Sharp Cheddar
- Fromager d’Affinois Ail & Fines Herbes Brie
On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, ten lords a-leaping.
Lords Sugar Cookies – I made my own cream cheese frosting (cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, little heavy cream) with some cocoa powder added for the hats and boots. Eyes – blue sprinkles. I made the cutouts with ninja (did cookie surgery for the second arm) and snowman hat cookie cutters and put them in my freezer a week ahead. On the day of the meal, I frosted them.
On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, 11 pipers piping.
Cheats Eclairs with decorations to look like pipes. I made these shortly before serving.
On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, 12 drummers drumming.
Pound Cake Drums frosted with Strawberry Frosting, pretzel sticks. I used strawberry frosting since we loved it at my Tea Party. I struggled with frosting these. They looked like shag carpet. My Mom saved the day with a tip from her Mom (she died years ago). After setting the butter frosting in the refrigerator, she used a knife dipped in warm water to smooth the frosting.
I served the last 3 courses as a dessert trio since I am fond of making dessert trios.
My critique of the party: I think that everyone enjoyed the food. I am impressed that I pulled off a 12 course meal! I had a spreadsheet with courses and the plates I planned to use. Also, my Mom was an awesome help.
Other Christmas Meals
7 Continents (Santa’s travels around the World)
Eclectic Lamb 
Looks so festive and like so much fun! Kudos!