Every year when Christmastime rolls around, there’s always one question on our minds: What’s for dinner? Whether you eat it on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, whether it’s dinner for two or a big gathering of loved ones, Christmas dinner is (almost) as important as Christmas morning — and we’ve got lots of ideas of ways to take it to the next level. 

Unlike Thanksgiving, when the menu is more or less culturally ordained (turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc.), Christmas leaves some room for creativity, and many families have their own annual standbys. Some opt for turkey as the main course, others ham or prime rib. Some swear by a beloved potato dish or a famous dessert that only makes an appearance once a year. (These are 12 delicious alternatives to turkey for your holiday feast.) 

But with tradition comes the potential for a little bit of repetitiveness, and with repetitiveness comes the possibility of boredom. Ritual is well and good, but at a certain point we want a little bit of variety — it’s the spice of life, right? You could start by considering some of these 22 easy hors d’oeuvres for holiday entertaining. 

We’ve assembled a list of more festive ideas for your Christmas dinner, including hors d’oeuvres but also appetizers, main courses, desserts, and drinks. They’re all easy to make and delicious, and just might end up becoming a new part of your annual Christmas dinner.

Click here to see 20 festive Christmas dinner ideas

You won’t find recipes here, just photographs and detailed descriptions, but an online search will return recipes galore.