Ideas to enjoy Christmas dinner at home

Set the Christmas table

Tables, however simple they may be, have something that captivates us. They create spaces not only to enjoy food, but also for good conversation; those moments that make us lose track of time in the blink of an eye. That's why it's important to have a dining table that can accommodate those closest to you.

Round or rectangular, oak or pine—the shape or material doesn't matter. What's important is that you have enough space for your guests. We recommend that you set the general table arrangements before your guests arrive: the placement of each chair, slightly adjusting the location of the table so that everyone is more comfortable…

Are you looking to change tables? We recommend opting for one of our extendable tables if you frequently host guests at home, but don't have a lot of space. They're perfect for special occasions when you need to accommodate more dinner guests and then reclaim your living space afterwards. 

Another alternative if everyone doesn't fit at the table would be to organise a standing dinner or something more informal. This will help prevent guests from crowding in the same area, however few there are, as well as helping to respect social distancing.

Dinnerware that makes a statement

Since we want this Christmas dinner to be a special moment, especially this year when we want to feel close to those we love, every little detail should be considered, such as the table linens, dinnerware and other table decorations.

If you'd like an affordable idea to set the Christmas table, you can try something as simple as mixing and matching your everyday dinnerware. If you have different coloured dishes, you can find the perfect combination between them to create the most attractive table setting. When in doubt, our basic recommendation is as follows: for a printed tablecloth, your best option is plain dinnerware; and if the tablecloth does not have a pattern, choose dinnerware that has a slightly more decorative motif. If you follow this "rule", you're sure to have a table with visual balance, making the meal even more appetising.  

Here we've set the table with primarily white and earth tones, as they're the easiest to match. Then we played up the green details of the dishes and decorated the cutlery with ribbon. It's a simple detail, but it adds a defining touch that's different to everyday meals. It's also a subtle way to ensure that there's no confusion over place settings. You can also do the same with the glassware, for example, so that everyone knows whose is whose.

By decorating the table in such a beautiful way, you'll help to inspire your guests' interest in the meal, make them feel part of something important and look after everyone's safety.  

Prepare a delicious, varied Christmas menu

Now that you've got all the dinnerware, what about the food? Choosing the Christmas dinner menu is always a task of great responsibility, but we'll show you that, whether you're taking care of 100% of the meal, or just need to bring a dish (e.g. dessert), you've got plenty of easy and affordable options for success. Moreover, since dinner this year will be for a smaller group of those closest to us, it may be the perfect occasion to try out new things.

First of all, confirm whether any of your guests has an intolerance or allergy to rule out any dishes or specific ingredients. It's also important to know whether anyone is vegetarian or vegan. We want everyone to eat well and be merry! Once you're clear on your guests' preferences, it's much easier to prepare your dishes for your Christmas dinner.

Remember, we offer a wide range of Christmas foods in our Swedish Food Market so you can celebrate the holidays with professional dishes that are easy and quick to prepare (and you also have some time for yourself), and suitable for all palates at an affordable price.  

Dazzle everyone with your service

The service, or the way in which we serve the food, is very important for our Christmas dinner, especially if we want to make good use of space and, in turn, make a great impression.

When it comes to snacks and desserts, it may be helpful to use serving stands or trays of varying heights. For example, here we've used an INBRINGANDE serving stand. You can place it on the table or serve your guests directly (so that only one person handles and serves the food) so that they can enjoy tasty bites such as canapés or pastries. Like how it turned out? 

If you still need extra space for everything, another "trick" we recommend is using wheeled trolleys. You can place it right next to you for everything that doesn't quite fit on the table, such as the water jug, bread basket, extra napkins… Much more comfortable! 

Save the leftovers for later

Lots of food? We know that figuring out quantities can be a little more complicated, especially nowadays when we try to throw a feast. Although estimating quantities may be easier this year, tips for saving food are always welcome.

If you have leftover food, we recommend you store it in food containers (glass containers are best to preserve food for several days). It's sure to come in handy for lunch or dinner during the week. Who amongst us isn't glad to be spared our cooking duties for a day?

If you have a lot of leftovers and don't want to be eating them until New Year's Day, remember that you can divvy them up and give your guests a parting gift. Make sure to only save foods that haven't been handled by more than one person to avoid any kind of food contamination. To avoid this, you can use spoons or spatulas while serving your meal.