Tag: christmas eve dinner

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An Executive Decision: A Little Extra Family Time For The Holidays


The holiday season just got cozier! Here are the deets:

Thanks to a presidential announcement that  many federal executive departments and agencies will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve) and Friday, December 26, 2025, in addition to Christmas Day itself.

Gosh, any day off the road, off the clock and in my pajamas with my snacks and movies is a win-win situation.


Of course, not everyone gets the full break. Essential workers and certain agencies may still be open depending on their mission. But overall, it’s a cheerful reminder that even the federal government enjoys a good holiday pause now and then.


Whether this affects you directly or you just love a reason to celebrate, consider this your official permission slip to slow down and soak up the season.

Tonight, I will be initiating my first Noche Buena dinner to the driest crowd around–my kids. They just want to skip Mass and dinner and go straight to the gift opening.

All of my presents are wrapped and under the tree (except a few from Santa!) so it’s just decisions about what to watch while the world takes a breather.

Here are some beloved Christmas classics from a variety of traditions to keep movie night merry and bright:


It’s a Wonderful Life – A heartfelt reminder of kindness and community.


Home Alone – Classic chaos, laughs, and holiday nostalgia.


Elf – Pure joy, sugar, and Buddy the Elf energy.


African American Holiday Classics
The Preacher’s Wife – Warm, romantic, and full of soul.


This Christmas – Family, drama, love, and holiday music. (Love this one!)


Almost Christmas – Big family vibes with big laughs.

Latino Holiday Favorites


Nothing Like the Holidays – A Puerto Rican-American family navigating love and tradition.


Merry Kiss Cam – Cozy, festive, and lighthearted.


Navidad en Vivo – Music-filled and joyful for the season. (A good one)

Lastly, you can’t have Christmas Eve without cookies. Here is a quick and easy recipe for Snickerdoodles:

Easy Holiday Cookie Recipe: Cozy Snickerdoodles


1 cup butter (softened)
1½ cups sugar
2 eggs
2¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon (for rolling)
How to Make Them
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
Beat in eggs.
Mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt separately.
Combine wet and dry ingredients.
Roll dough into balls.
Roll each ball in cinnamon sugar.
Bake 8–10 minutes until just golden.
Cool, grab milk, and enjoy!
Here’s to slower days, fuller cookie plates, and movie marathons that last well past bedtime.


Happy Holidays from all of us at CAM.

Felicidades!

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Celebrate Nochebuena: A Guide to Festive Traditions

Christmas dinner spread

By Chiara Luz

cooked meat on the table
Photo by Cleo Vergara on Pexels.com

The holidays are all about joy and togetherness—but sometimes things can get a little not so traditional on the traditional holiday, especially when family dynamics and co-parenting are in the mix. But don’t forget to breathe, you’ve got options. With a little creativity, you can keep the season merry while honoring your traditions.

My Story

Growing up, Christmas Eve dinner was the centerpiece of the holiday in my family—a night of warmth, laughter, and anticipation. After my mom remarried we didn’t keep it going. Dad was from the south, so regular Christmas dinner it was! But in Puerto Rico the Caribbean and many cultures throughout the globe, NocheBuena is a cherished tradition. Admittedly we just focused on a nice ham, rice and peans and things like that and even attended church. However, across the globe this is a really big deal. Here’s how different cultures make December 24th unforgettable:

Spain & Latin America – Nochebuena

Families gather late at night for a festive feast, often followed by Misa de Gallo (midnight mass).
Signature dishes: Roasted pork (lechón), tamales, bacalao, romeritos, and sweet treats like buñuelos. Drinks include ponche and coquito.

Italy – La Vigilia

Known for the Feast of the Seven Fishes, Italian families abstain from meat and enjoy a lavish seafood dinner.
Signature dishes: Baccalà (salted cod), calamari, clams, and pasta with seafood.

Poland – Wigilia

A symbolic meal with 12 meatless dishes, starting when the first star appears. Families share oplatek wafers and blessings before dinner.
Signature dishes: Pierogi, beet soup (barszcz), carp, and poppy seed desserts.

France – Réveillon de Noël

A grand late-night feast featuring luxurious dishes.
Signature dishes: Oysters, foie gras, roasted meats, and bûche de Noël (Yule log cake).

Portugal – Consoada

Families gather for a traditional supper steeped in Catholic tradition.
Signature dishes: Salted cod (bacalhau), boiled potatoes, and seasonal sweets.

Exotic coconut porridge beans mango
Exotic coconut porridge beans mango by Jakub Kapusnak is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Scandinavia – Julbord

In Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, Christmas Eve dinner includes a smorgasbord of hearty dishes.
Signature dishes: Pickled herring, ham, meatballs, and rice pudding.

Philippines – Nochebuena

A vibrant celebration after midnight mass, filled with family and festive cheer.
Signature dishes: Lechon (roast pig), queso de bola, ham, and sweet desserts.

Why Christmas Eve?
For many Catholic and Orthodox traditions, Christmas Eve marks the vigil before Christ’s birth, making it a spiritually significant time for family gatherings and feasting.

Tip: If you celebrate Christmas Eve dinner, share your favorite dish or tradition in the comments! What makes this night special for you?

Christmas dinner spread
Christmas dinner spread by mdburnette is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

Nochebuena Menu Plan

Main Dish

Pineapple-Glazed Christmas Ham (Hamon de Bola)

  • Why: A classic centerpiece that feels celebratory and sweet.
  • Prep Tip: Start marinating the ham in pineapple juice the night before for maximum flavor.
  • Recipe link

Side Dishes

  1. Ensalada Nochebuena (Mexican Christmas Eve Salad)
    • A colorful mix of lettuce, beets, jicama, apples, oranges, peanuts, and pomegranate seeds.
    • Prep Tip: Chop veggies in the morning and refrigerate; assemble just before serving.
    • Recipe link
  2. Filipino Sweet-Style Spaghetti
    • Sweet tomato sauce with ground meat and hotdogs, topped with cheese.
    • Prep Tip: Cook the sauce ahead and reheat before dinner.
    • Recipe link

Dessert

Dulce de Noche Buena (Colombian Dessert Platter)

  • Includes candied papaya, figs, buñuelos, hojuelas, and cheese.
  • Prep Tip: Make buñuelos and hojuelas early in the day; store in an airtight container.
  • Recipe link

Drink

Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog)

  • Creamy coconut drink with condensed milk, rum, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Prep Tip: Chill for at least 4 hours before serving for the best flavor.
  • Recipe link

✅ Prep Timeline

  • Day Before: Marinate ham, prep dessert components, and make coquito.
  • Morning of: Chop salad ingredients, cook spaghetti sauce, and fry buñuelos.
  • Evening: Bake ham, assemble salad, boil pasta, and set up dessert platter.