by Tina Hartley

Created on: December 10, 2008   Last Updated: December 16, 2011

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Unlike many regions around the world, the decision of what to serve for Christmas Eve dinner in the United States can be confusing, at best. The night before Christmas is often more about family and friends than specific foods. Family diversity also presents a challenge when many different cultures and traditions may all be present around the same dinner table. As the saying goes; you can't please everyone, but a good host is certain to try! Let's take a look at some Christmas Eve dinner traditions around the world.

The big meal of the Christmas season comes on Christmas Eve in Sweden. The "julbord' (Christmas buffet) consists of traditional Swedish foods such as; ham, pickled or smoked fish, sausages, baked vegetables, white cheese, various breads, and rice porridge or rice pudding. Jansson's Temptation, potato gratin dish made with anchovies, is a traditional favorite in Sweden. Of course, a Swedish Christmas Eve dinner wouldn't be complete without Swedish Meatballs!

It is a Sicilian tradition to serve seven varieties of fish on Christmas Eve. Many Italians do not eat meat on Christmas Eve. Fasting through the day is not uncommon and the fast is broken with a dinner of fish. Popular dishes include linguine with clam sauce, baccala (a salted cod dish that takes several days to prepare), and Calamari (squid). Antipasto, minus the usual pepperoni and salami for strict observers of tradition is a staple. Many Americans with an Italian heritage include lobster and shrimp. Seafood is the order of the day. Panatone, a bread baked with fruit, is a traditional dessert.

A traditional Christmas Eve dinner in Portugal consists of codfish. Boiled potatoes and cabbage are usually served with the cod. After dinner fried desserts are served such as fried pumpkin dough and azevias', a round cake made from chick peas with sugar and orange peel.

The Christmas feast is served in Finland on Christmas Eve. A typical dinner fare on this night might consist of baked ham, rutabaga casserole, and beetroot salad. Assorted fish plates are common containing fish roe, herring and salmon. Lutefisk is a Christmas favorite in Finland. Stock fish is baked, drizzled with bacon drippings and covered in a white sauce called bechamel. It is served with potatoes and a pea puree. Smoked reindeer and liver pate are also favorites. A traditional Finnish dessert is a rice porridge made with bilberries.

Special Christmas Eve dinners are common in Romania and Hungary. Many European companies are primarily Catholic and the Christmas Eve celebrations include attending the midnight mass. Many Christmas Eve dinners are served after mass attendance.

Christmas Eve is a time for friends and family to celebrate the holiday season. There are many modern families who have begun their own traditions, or added their own touch to the traditions of their parents and grandparents. Many cultures who serve up a large holiday dinner on Christmas Day prefer to keep it light and simple on Christmas Eve.

The question of what to serve for Christmas Eve dinner can be answered by any number of options. Family favorites, traditional fare, or a sampling of something from another culture are all excellent choices.

Thinking of trying something new this year? Recipes for many of the dishes mentioned in this article and many others can be found with a quick web search.

Happy Holidays!

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