50 Holiday Recipes You'll Definitely Want to Include in Your Christmas Festivities

Nothing captures the spirit of Christmas quite like the familiar smells that fill your Southern kitchen, season after holiday season. From party-pleasing appetizers to festive dinner dishes to classic holiday cookies, food is what brings us together every December.This year, we're getting the party started with 14 new holiday appetizers that suit any size or type of gathering. Whether you're swapping gifts with girlfriends, hosting a family gathering, or having the whole neighborhood over after the tree lighting, one of these snacks will see you through, from the sweet-and-spicy meatballs to the beer cheese fondue to the smoked sausage pretzel bites.We settled on three special-occasion mains—think citrusy, brown sugared baked ham and herby prime rib—to go with standout side dishes you never knew you needed. (Seriously, wait until you see the Melting Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprout Slaw.) And then onto the cookies...it's not Christmas without a few dozen of those. We've got you (and your cookie swaps!) covered with Yuletide-ready recipes, including peppermint truffles, ambrosia macaroons, and brown sugar cookie stars.But for the Christmas Eve dinner, save the very best: Southern Living's 2019 White Cake. We gave this holiday classic a delicious new makeover. A Chocolate-Buttermilk Cake is generously iced with a special Swiss Meringue Buttercream and topped sugary cake toppers in the form of two iconic Southern flowers: magnolias and camellias.Have a merry little Christmas, y'all, starting with these 50 best-ever holiday recipes.