Who knew you could use your slow cooker to make the perfect winter cider? The best part of this winter drink: how scents of cinnamon, roasted apple and citrusy orange flood your home while it "cooks."
When everyone has arrived and the living room suddenly feels like it's 115 degrees, this punch will cool you down. Don't the cranberries look like little floating jingle bells?
Elevate your bread basket by layering a sliced baguette with creamy butternut squash and mascarpone cheese. The secret ingredient of this festive app? Maple syrup.
Stacking potato gratin vertically makes it easier to eat while catching up with grandma. We recommend sticking the stacks with toothpicks for added ease.
A salad is a party staple — but swap out the classic romaine, pepper and cucumber combo for a more wintry mix. Red dried cranberries atop a sea of green spinach make for colorful, Christmassy (and healthy!) option.
Main Course: Herb-Crusted Beef with Dijon Cream Sauce
Mike Garten
Not only will the fresh herbs make this beef centerpiece-worthy on your holiday table, but the basil and parsley leaves pack serious flavor into every bite.
Main Course: Cornish Game Hen with Triple Cranberry Sauce
Home Sweet Jones
If you're planning a cozy Christmas staycation with your significant other, you might want to keep this perfect-for-two dish in mind. If you're throwing a party, no worries — this gluten-free recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
Pistachios give lamb an earthy, salty flavor — but we have to admit, we love this dish for its stunning aesthetics. You might want to encourage a fancier dress code among your guests because this dish is setting the bar seriously high.
Main Course: Roasted Pumpkin and Smoked Blue Cheese Lasagna
Naturally Ella
This blog files this pumpkin lasagna under Thanksgiving meals — but we don't think there's anything wrong with breaking out pumpkin flavors come Christmastime. This sweet pumpkin and sharp blue cheese melt is a perfect option for vegetarian guests.
Main Course: Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Broccolini
Becky Luigart-Stayner
There's nothing wrong with a classic chicken Christmas dinner, especially one with underlying festive flavors, like rosemary. Broccolinis bring their own holiday flair — don't they look like mini Christmas trees?
Dessert: Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Sugared Cranberries
Call Me Cupcake
This naked cake is most definitely on trend — bonus points if you top it with a snowy scene of cranberries, pine cones, pine sprigs and powdered sugar.
This trifle cake is insanely easy — just crumble red velvet cake and layer with whipped cream and ganache. Who knew something so easy could look this beautiful?
Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.