Christmas Day Dinner - Traditional



ChristmasDay-tree-1900Here are some of the Christmas Day meals prepared at different times in America. This might be that type of special holiday meals you grandparents enjoyed.

1900 Christmas Dinner might have: Clam or Oyster Soup, Celery, Baked Fish, Hollandaise Sauce, Roast Turkey, Oyster Dressing, Celery or Oyster Sauce, Roast Duck, Onion Sauce, Baked Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Baked Squash, Mashed Turnips, Canned Corn, Stewed Tomatoes, Graham Bread, Rolls, Salmon or other Salad, Plum Pudding, Peach Pie, Fruit, Nuts, Coffee and Chocolate.

1913 Christmas Dinner: Oysters, Mangoes, Celery, Stuffed Olives, Tomato Soup, Roast Turkey, Cranberry Jelly, Roast Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Turnips, Brussels Sprouts, Orange and Celery Salad, Vanilla Blanc-mange, English Plum Pudding, Fruit, Coffee.

ChristmasDay-dinner 1920 Christmas Dinner: Clear Tomato Soup, Celery, Cole Slaw, Tuna Fish a la New berg, Potato Balls, Sliced Cucumbers, Roast Turkey, Game Filling, Brown Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Corn, Lettuce, Russian Dressing, Individual Plum Puddings, Coffee…-OR-…Celery, Pickles. Olives, Sardine Canape, Bouillon, Miniature Codfish Balls, Tomato Sauce, Parsley Potato Balls, Cucumbers, Baked Sugar-Cured Ham, Currant Jelly, Champagne Style Sauce, Paprika Potatoes, Peas, Asparagus Salad, Delmonte Dressing, Individual Hot Mince Tarts, Coffee.

1929 Christmas Dinner. Stuffed Pimientos, Consomme, Croutons, Roast Turkey or Braised Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Buttered Brussels Sprouts, Piccalilli, Cranberry Sauce, Horseshoe Rolls, Butter, Jellied Coleslaw, Mayonnaise, English Plum Pudding, Maraschino Hard Sauce, Black Coffee.

1932 Christmas Dinner (Approximate Cost for 8 persons $3.25)
Cranberry Cocktail, Crown Roast of Pork, Sweet Potatoes Glace, Spinach de Luxe, Christmas Beets, Cabbage Salad with Chili-Sauce Dressing, Old-Fashioned Indian Pudding, Vanilla Sauce, Roasted Walnuts, Demi Tasse.

ChristmasDay-dinner-1950 1950 Christmas Dinner. Consomme, Melba Toast, Celery Curls, Olives, Roast Turkey, Mushroom and Oyster Stuffing, Cranberry Relish, Sweet potato Souffle, Broccoli, Green Salad Bowl with French Dressing, Individual Plum Puddings with Brazil-nut Hard Sauce, Coffee, Milk.

1963 Christmas Dinner: Baked Liver Pate and/or Shrimp Relish, Roast Turkey, Mushroom-Rice Stuffing with lots of Gravy, Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes, Onions Parmesan, Green Beans with Herb Sauce, Relish Bouquet: Cranberry Sauce, Olives, Celery Fans, Cranberry-Crunch, with Soft Vanilla Ice Cream or Gouda Cheese or Heavenly Honey-Walnut Pumpkin Pie or Lemon Sherbet with Minted Pineapple, Coffee.

1975 Christmas Dinner: Shrimp Cocktail, (Chilled Traminer, Riesling, or Rhine wine), Roast Goose with Sage and Onion Dressing, Braised Chestnuts, Giblet Gravy, Spicy Applesauce, Green Beans in Mustard Sauce, Molded Cranberry-Pecan Salad, Plum Pudding with Brandy or Rum Sauce, Milk, Coffee, Tea.

As you see over the years, many food items were traditional such as turkey. Plus there was always gravy and sauces. Desserts of various types were a must — most being puddings, pies or danish.

                                               Merry Christmas to All !

Photos: Christmas tree 1900, Christmas dinner 1910 and Christmas dinner 1950.

Related FamilyTree.com genealogical blogs:

Christmas Surnames

Family Heritage and the Christmas Ornaments

Foods Eaten by Our Ancestors

 

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