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Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes

Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes

The Christmas holiday is just around the corner and this year’s celebrations, like many that came before it, will look a little bit different than the previous years. With the Covid-19 pandemic still underway in many parts of the country, the public is advised against large gatherings and are encouraged to wear face masks when in public areas with a lot of people, practice regular hand washing and sanitizing, and practice social or physical distancing of at least 6 feet apart. But with Christmas just two weeks away, how do you execute effortless pandemic holidays? The answer lies in planning it. By now, you may have invested in gear to keep you extra protected from the virus, such as face masks, face shields, hand sanitizers and rubbing alcohol, footwear cleaning mats, and more. Now, it’s time to apply the same safety precautions when dealing with the holidays. When preparing for Christmas this year, go for a smaller gathering with your immediate family or those who you’ve been quarantined with these past months. It would be wise to refrain from accepting guests from other cities where Covid-19 cases are still on the rise. Remember that the best holidays are safe holidays, so keep that in mind when planning your celebration. In the meantime, we’ve gathered some easy Christmas dinner recipes and entertaining must-haves for smaller celebrations. Get inspired with these recipes and craft your own special holiday season this year.

Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes

Sheet-Pan Chicken With Figs & Bread Salad

Recipe by Emily C., photo by Mecham at Food52

This year has been tough on all of us, so we’d like to take the stress out of the holidays by going for easy yet incredibly delicious recipes that will truly bring warmth to the soul, just like the Sheet-Pan Chicken With Figs & Bread Salad from Emily C. According to the recipe author, this was inspired by a pair of recipes from The Zuni Cafe Cookbook. It’s a straightforward recipe that takes only 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. Check out the recipe at Food52.

Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes

Roast Vegetables With Turkey Brine Seasoning

Recipe by Posie (Harwood) Brien, photo by Rocky Luten at Food52

Eat your veggies! This holiday season, go for brilliantly flavorful roasted vegetables as a side dish for a hearty meal. Season with The Spice Hunter’s Original Turkey Brine and add in any pan drippings from any roast chicken or turkey you are to serve (if any). Just make sure to chop vegetables in the same sizes to ensure an even and thorough bake. This incredibly easy recipe takes only 15 minutes to prepare and an hour to cook. Grab the whole recipe at Food52.

Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes

A Cure for the Blues Pasta

Recipe by Luvcookbooks, photo by Julia Gartland at Food52

Sometimes all you need to drive the blues away is a hearty bowl of delicious pasta. This holiday season, serve up some hearty goodness with this recipe fromThe Savory Way by Deborah Madison. This deliciously hearty six-ingredient pasta dinner is incredibly straightforward and fuss-free, you might even make it for regular days too. Get the full recipe at Food52.


Send a Gift Basket in Time for the Holidays

The holidays can be very busy for some, especially if you’re the one tasked to prepare a feast for the family. With Covid-19 restrictions still applicable to many, we will be hosting smaller dinners this year. Nonetheless, you can still show off your entertaining prowess with these amazing food gift sets. Whether it’s a present for your family across the state or simply a “thinking of you” token, these delightful baskets will surely make someone’s day.

Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes

Harry and David Winter Gift Crate

This delightful Winter Gift Crate from Harry and David features both sweet and savory goodies all wrapped up in a festive red wooden crate with white snowflakes, just in time for the holiday season. Unbox this heartwarming package and you’ll find flavorful snack mixes, gourmet mixed nuts, and delicious combinations of sausage, cheese, crackers, and relish. Your loved ones will also receive the brand’s famous Moose Munch® Premium Popcorn, a variety of rich chocolate treats, tree-cutout shortbread cookies, and more. The cherry on top is the reusable crate that doubles as cool holiday decor. Shop at harryanddavid.com.

Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes

Harry and David Holiday Bakery Tray with Wine

On Christmas Day, let your loved ones open up a sweet box of delights with the Holiday Bakery Tray from Harry and David. It features a slew of delicious gourmet treats crafted in the brand’s Southern Oregon bakery and made with love! This collection features an array of delectable delights, including the apple loaf cake, raspberry galettes, the signature baklava, and several decadent cookies. Also includes a bottle of Harry & David™ Beeson Tempranillo Port that goes perfectly with this assortment. Shop at harryanddavid.

Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes

Harry and David Ugly Sweater Wine Gift

Those who are safely visiting family this year will enjoy bringing home a cheery gift in the form of this package from Harry and David. The Ugly Sweater Wine Gift pack features Harry & David™ Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, both dressed to the nines in ugly Christmas sweaters! This pack also includes signature chocolate truffles, famous fruitcake, and raspberry tree-cutout shortbread cookies, carefully crafted to delight everyone this holiday season. Shop at harryanddavid.com.


Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Gorgeous Holiday-inspired Serveware and Dinnerware (Great for Gifting too!)

1. The Cellar Holiday Cheer Tree 4-Piece Divided Server Set

Serve up some extra joy this Christmas season with The Cellar’s Holiday Cheer Tree 4-Piece Divided Server Set, an incredibly giftable piece that you’ll love adding to your Christmas collection. This tree-shaped divided server set features three separate porcelain bowls that fit together atop a wooden tray in a design that’s perfect for entertaining loved ones. This unique set includes a large porcelain serve bowl, a medium porcelain serve bowl, a small porcelain serve bowl, and a wood tray. Get 50% off, with an extra 30% off when you use the code FRIEND for a limited time at Macy’s.

2. Martha Stewart Collection Snow Tree Cotton Hand Towel

Bring the holiday spirit into your kitchen with the Snow Tree Cotton Hand Towel from Martha Stewart Collection. Featuring rich red tone, festive snowflakes, and Christmas trees, this cotton hand towel is an elegant final touch to any holiday-ready kitchen. Each hand towel is made of cotton and viscose and measures 16 x 28 inches. Customer Jenny gave this product a 5-star review, writing, “Beautiful towel! I can’t say enough about how beautiful this towel is! It’s a lovely shade of red and feels luxurious.” Get 42% off with an extra 30% off when you use the code FRIEND for a limited time at Macy’s.

3. Lenox Balsam Lane Dinnerware Collection

The fresh, festive look and feel of the holiday season is perfectly captured in the Balsam Lane Dinnerware Collection from Lenox, which features whimsical evergreen motif and other wintry accents on dining and serving pieces. This delicately delightful set, which is perfect for entertaining a smaller crowd this year, includes an array of items that go well together, including the Balsam Lane 4-Piece Accent Plate Set, Balsam Lane Chip & Dip Tree Tray, Balsam Lane Slate Cheeseboard & Knife Set, Balsam Lane 2-Piece Snowman Salt & Pepper Set, Balsam Lane Serving Bowl, Balsam Lane Serving Platter, Balsam Lane Round Platter, Balsam Lane Cookie Jar, Balsam Lane Ceramic Cheeseboard, Balsam Lane 4-Piece Tidbit Plate Set, Balsam Lane Salt & Pepper, Balsam Lane Glass Prep Board 2-Piece Set, Balsam Lane Hors D’oeuvre Tray, Balsam Lane 2-Piece Tree Salt & Pepper Set, Balsam Lane 4-Piece Accent Plate Set, and the Balsam Lane Cup Of Joy Tea Pot & Cup. Each piece in this magical dinnerware collection is currently on sale at 50% off for a limited time , with an extra 30% off when you use FRIEND at Macy’s.

4. Thirstystone Chalet 2020 Collection

Bring thoughts of warmth and love to the table with the festive and cheery Chalet 2020 Collection from Thirstystone. Featuring an array of highly giftable pieces, this collection features classic red and white alpine sweater patterns or chunky cable knit textures that are all familiar and exude the holiday spirit. This collection features felted wool coasters and trivets with jolly snowmen, a whimsically shaped wood serving board, and adorable salt and pepper shakers you’ll love to collect. Complete the set, which includes the Marble and Wood House Shaped Serving Board With Tree Icon, Chalet Wine Bottle Cheese Board with Tools, Set of 2 Ceramic Skiers Mugs, Chalet Bottle Stopper, Chalet Wood Serving Tray with Metal Handles, Ceramic Snowman Salt Pepper Set, 4 Assorted Holiday Bark Edged Coasters, White Marble Beverage Chiller W/Glass and Whiskey Stone, and the Ceramic Tree Cookie Tray. Get up to 40% off for a limited time on each item, with an additional 30% off when you use the code FRIEND at Macy’s.

5. Waterford 2020 Snowflake Wishes Collection

The brand’s 10-year long Snowflake Wishes series comes to a close in 2020 with a new snowflake design and the wish for Love immortalized in these fine crystal gifts. This year, Waterford celebrates love, a universal theme that crosses geographical borders and embraces all cultures. It is a gentle reminder to cherish the company we keep, both near and far. This elegant collection features the Snowflake Wishes Love Flute, Snowflake Wishes Love Prestige Edition DOF Cranberry, Snowflake Wishes Love DOF, Snowflake Wishes Love Anniversary Edition DOF, and Snowflake Wishes Love Anniversary Edition Flute. Get 30% off on each item for a limited time when you use the code FRIEND at Macy’s.


Entertaining Smaller Crowds for Effortless Pandemic Holidays: Essentials to Cheer on the Holidays

1. Bartesian Premium Cocktails On Demand

Whether preparing drinks for the family or a small crowd this holiday season, using the Bartesian® is a great way to keep the drinks flowing. The Bartesian Premium Cocktails On Demand is an intelligent drink system that lets you enjoy bar drinks at home with just a push of a button. It features Bartesian capsules that contain the exact fresh ingredients you need to craft amazing high quality cocktails with your choice of spirit. All you need to do is pop in the cocktail capsule, select the strength and press mix. In seconds, you get a professional mixologist crafted and approved cocktail! It also includes recyclable capsules that contain real ingredients and that are dated to retail freshness. The machine is easy to clean for effortless maintenance too. Create endless crafts in the comfort of your own home, so you don’t have to miss going to the bar this holiday season! Get 20% off for a limited time at Macy’s.

2. Vera Wang Wedgwood Duchesse Gold Iced Beverage Glass

Say cheers to the holidays and cheers to the New Year in style with the Vera Wang Wedgwood Duchesse Gold Iced Beverage Glass, which is perfect for enjoying any alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink. As part of the Duchesse Gold Stemware collection, this beverage glass features glimmering starburst cut designs with gold detailing for an ultra luxe design that’s highly giftable to yourself or to your loved ones. Get 30% for a limited time when you use the code FRIEND at Macy’s.

3. Noritake Colorwave Floral Set of 4 Appetizer Plates

Who says you don’t have to go the extra mile with a smaller holiday crowd? This year, add cheer and style to your holiday gathering with the Noritake Colorwave Floral set of 4 appetizer plates, which measures 6 inches and is made of stone. Noritake’s floral appetizer plates are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe. 93% of reviewers recommend this product. Get 30% off for a limited time when you use the code FRIEND at Macy’s.

4. Deny Designs Leaves and Cubes Rectangle Cutting Board

Add a touch of contemporary charm to your kitchen with Deny Designs’ collection of gorgeous cutting boards that double as cheese boards. This half-inch birch wood cutting board features captivating art on one side, making a statement in your kitchen and dining areas. The other side is perfect for prepping cheese and meats for a perfect board. It features a matte natural woodgrain prep side and a semi gloss printed art side, as well as a 1-inch hole for hanging and handling. Measures 16 x 10.5 x 0.5 inches. Get 40% off with an additional 30% off for a limited time at Macy’s.

5. Hotel Collection 2-Tier Marble Server

Whether for intimate dinners or small gatherings, this Hotel Collection 2-Tier Marble Server can add a touch of luxe to your space. It features a sleek iron stand that supports marble that comes in two tones, offering elegant ways to show off your hors d’oeuvres. This marble server measures 11.5 x 5.9 x 10.6 inches. Get 40% off with an extra 30% off for a limited time when you use the code FRIEND at Macy’s


For more insights on entertaining during the holiday season amidst a global pandemic, make sure to check out the stories from The Teelie Blog archive in the links below. We bring you daily inspiration on the best deals and discounts from your favorite retailers and curate the best products so you save time shopping.

The Most Festive Christmas Home Decor for a Magical Holiday Season

Quarantine Thanksgiving Guide 2020

What to Cook for a Smaller Thanksgiving Dinner This Year

Fall Kitchen Finds at Nordstrom: Kitchen and Tabletop Gift Ideas 2020

Gift Guide 2020: Best Nordstrom Black Friday Deals for Women

Just a disclaimer – We have partnered with these companies because we use their products and/or proudly trust and endorse them – so we do receive a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for services. Often, we are able to negotiate special discounts and/or bonuses, which we will pass on to you via our links. We often get short notice on sale items available for 24-48 hours as we will pass these savings onto you.

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