How to Downsize and Make Christmas Dinner 2020 Memorable
Christmas Dinner 2020 will be like no other. If you’re like us, you’re faced with celebrating the holidays differently this year, and even though it’s for the best, it’s also a little sad.
I’m going to miss the annual gathering of extended family, the sharing of age old stories of who did what to whom, the goofy traditions, the crazy gift exchange, the shenanigans you would only ever do with family, meeting and getting to hold the newest members of the family and the opportunity to be with one another. While I am sad about all that we will miss, I don’t want that feeling to rule Christmas 2020. Time to come up with a new plan to celebrate Christmas 2020. And there’s no better place to start than Christmas dinner.
How to Downsize Christmas Dinner 2020
Here are a few ideas for downsizing Christmas dinner and still make it memorable. But remember, while we put a lot of emphasis on the meal, it’s really not about the food – it’s about the thoughts, feelings and spirit around the table that matters most. Create an experience that will be memorable and make people feel good.
1. If You Have a Fresh Turkey
- Make the turkey as you planned and be prepared for A LOT of leftovers. Think ahead and make a plan for those leftovers and have plenty of freezer containers on hand.
- Make your turkey as planned and share it with others. Connect with your friends and neighbours and see who’s up for sharing turkey dinner. Read more about safely giving food during Covid-19 at the top of my article on Gifts from the Kitchen.
- Ask your butcher to cut the turkey up for you so you can cook some of it and freeze other parts.
- Spatchcock and split your turkey in half or cut it down into more pieces yourself at home. You’ll need a good knife and/or kitchen shears. Here’s how to cut up a whole raw turkey.
Turkey Calculator – what size, how long to thaw, how long to cook
Giving & Sharing Food Safely During Covid-19
Holiday Dinner Leftovers – What to Freeze & What Not to Freeze
2. If You Have a Frozen Turkey
- Thaw and make the turkey as you planned and read the list above for more options.
- Keep the turkey frozen and plan a turkey dinner sometime down the road. Whole turkeys can be safely kept frozen for up to a year.
3. Choose a Smaller Bird
- Here’s your chance to try some different poultry. Replace the turkey with goose, duck, cornish game hens, guinea hens, etc.
- Find specialty poultry at local butcher shops, specialty retailers, ethnic food shops and even in the frozen section of large supermarkets.
4. Cook Poultry Pieces instead of Whole Birds
5. Do Something Completely Different
Sometimes, it’s best to wipe the slate clean and try something completely new and different. If any year deserves something out of the ordinary – this is it!
My siblings, parents and our families usually celebrate Christmas Eve together – a German tradition. We will continue the tradition this year, via Zoom. Instead of a big feast around the table with copious amounts of wine, beer and Jaegermeister, we will have 6-8 fondue pots going across the country as we celebrate within our own households. Knowing my family, I suspect the wine, beer and Jaegermeister will join the party as well! While dipping our food and swapping stories, each household will also be sharing photos of the past year. It won’t be the same – but it will be fun and memorable nonetheless.
For Christmas Day dinner, my family requested homemade Wiener Schnitzel and Spaetzle – not traditional Christmas food at all, but something we all enjoy. We’ll make it extra special with a fancy sparkling beverage, candlelight, fancy linens and dessert (which we rarely have).
What are your plans?
If you’re not sure, here are a few ideas I’ve heard from my friends and online network. As you can see, there are no rules – do whatever makes you feel happy!
Tappas/Appetizers all night long
Summer BBQ with coleslaw, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake
Mexican Taco Bar with all the trimmings
Sushi Night
Around the World Dinner – a little something from as many cultures as possible
Movie Theme night – pick a movie & make dinner to match
Little Women = homemade bread, chicken pot pie, green beans, apple pie
My Neighbor Totoro = sushi, fried rice, red bean cakes, etc.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel = curry, rice, homemade naan, rava ladoo
Love Actually – tea and biscuits, roast beef and yorkshire pudding, bread pudding
Seitan Turkey Roll (Vegetarian)
Grilled Steak
Grilled Portabello Mushroom
Roast beef
Tofu Shepherd’s Pie
Roast Ham
Mushroom Wellington
Lasagna
Ribs
Colourful Stuffed Peppers
Salmon or Seafood Dinner
Pork Tenderloin
Tourtiere
Polenta with Marinara sauce
I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding recipes for any of these ideas. If you’re thinking of trying vegetarian or vegan options, here are some sites that were recommended to me and I use on occasion:
Oh She Glows, Minimalist Baker, Simple Vegan Blog
Whatever you end up doing, even if you order in, think about setting the right mood and creating a memorable experience. Unless your theme includes a Pj party in bed or movie night in front of the TV, set the table, use your good dishes, light some candles, do whatever it takes to set this dinner apart from any other dinner.
I’d love to hear your ideas and plans for Christmas Dinner 2020. Â Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram at #getgettys or Facebook @GettyStewart.HomeEconomist.
Sign up to get articles by Getty delivered to your inbox. You’ll get recipes, practical tips and great food information like this. Getty is a Professional Home Economist,  speaker and writer putting good food on tables and agendas.  She is the author of Manitoba’s best-selling Prairie Fruit Cookbook, Founder of Fruit Share, a mom and veggie gardener.