The festive season is upon us, and it’s time to start thinking about that all-important question: what will you be serving up for your Christmas lunch? It goes without saying that planning the perfect festive spread can be as exciting as Christmas Day itself. From selecting the best prawns to grill on the barbecue or the perfect ham to act as the focal point of your feast, or even just selecting the right bottle of Pinot Noir wine to go with it all, there is certainly a lot to consider when it comes to setting up your table.

Thankfully, we’re here to help! Today, we’ll be sharing some of the top mains, desserts, and drink options that are sure to bring plenty of merriment to your family Christmas this year.

Plate up your Christmas ham

Of course, every year one dish reigns supreme in the hearts (and stomachs) of many – the Christmas ham. This iconic centrepiece has been a staple of Christmas feasts for literally hundreds of years now, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

For most Australian families, the Christmas ham is the definitive main dish of your Christmas lunch, so you’ll want it to be of the highest quality, and to have side dishes that work to enhance the flavours of the meat. And yes – the quality of the meat plays a significant role in the quality of your Christmas spread as a whole. So don’t be afraid to ask your local butcher for their best cut!

As for plating and serving your ham, you’ll really want to spend a good amount of time working on your festive glaze. Glazing your ham is where you can really let your culinary creativity shine on Christmas Day. But what’s the best glaze to use to complement your wider lunch menu? One classic combination that never fails to impress is a mix of honey, mustard, and brown sugar. This blend gives your ham a deliciously sweet and tangy flavour, with the brown sugar adding a touch of caramel-like depth that’ll pair perfectly with your roasted heirloom carrots and Yorkshire puddings.

And don’t forget the importance of scoring the skin of your ham before applying your glaze! This simple step allows your glaze to penetrate deeper into the ham, infusing the meat with more flavour and also creating a perfectly crunchy finish.

Prepare your classic and contemporary sides

No Christmas dinner is complete without an array of delicious sides. And thankfully, traditional Christmas side dishes are relatively easy to whip up. From roasted heirloom carrots and potatoes to greens like brussel sprouts and asparagus stems, there’s always plenty of hearty veggies guaranteed to pair well with your Christmas ham.

But what if you want to serve up something a little more surprising for Christmas lunch this year? You could perhaps even take a leaf out of American Thanksgiving spreads and plate up hearty sides like sweet potato casseroles with a pecan topping, cranberry sauces, or even fresh pomegranate or apple salads.

Whether you’re looking to serve up totally traditional sides, more contemporary dishes, or a great mix of the two, just remember to include a plate of Yorkshire puddings! These quick and easy eggy delights are always crowd pleasers at Christmas, so you’ll want to make sure that they’re still in your spread for this festive season.

Select the perfect bottles of wine

Once you’ve sorted your main dishes, it’s time to consider the perfect bottles of vino that will elevate your meal. And as we’ve mentioned, the sweet and smoky tastes of your Christmas ham will be sure to pair wonderfully with a bottle of Pinot Noir. Known for its rich, fruity notes and silky tannins, medium-bodied Pinot Noir is the perfect accompaniment to all of the summery tastes of your Christmas lunch. But Pinot Noir is not the only choice for this festive occasion! If you’d prefer to serve a white wine this Christmas, then we have to recommend a Riesling. 

With its aromatic, fruity, and floral profile, Rieslings can offer a refreshing contrast to your heartier mains, whilst perfectly complimenting fruitier dishes like pavlovas. Even so, the higher acidity of Riesling can still provide a great contrast to your Christmas ham, and can help cut through the richness of the meat to ultimately provide a balanced mouthfeel.

And what if you want to serve some champers at your Christmas lunch? In that case, a Brut Champagne or a Cava could be an excellent choice. The bubbles and the crisp acidity of these sparkling wines can cleanse your palate between bites, making each mouthful as enjoyable as the first.

Dish up some decadent desserts

As the main course and side dishes are cleared away at the end of your Christmas lunch menu, it’s finally time for the moment everyone’s been waiting for – dessert! Dessert on Christmas is always a bittersweet affair, in that you’re aware that this merry and magical day is drawing to a close…but at least you have pudding!

And yes, Christmas puddings should always be a staple of your festive dessert menu. But you should plate up something a little out of the ordinary if you’re feeling the desire to do so. Although classic Christmas puddings and mince pies always warm the heart, there are some more unique options out there that will be sure to impress your guests and tickle their taste buds. For instance, you could serve up a gingerbread trifle, which is effectively an innovative, cinnamony twist on a regular Christmas trifle. The spicy notes of this delectable dessert blend harmoniously with its rich and creamy layers.

And for chocolate lovers, why not try preparing a peppermint bark cheesecake? Another delicious twist of refreshing mint flavours and tart cream cheese, this cheesecake is guaranteed to be a crowd favourite at your Christmas lunch this year. 

If you’re feeling even more adventurous, then why not try your hand at a salted caramel pie or an eggnog crème brûlée? Both of these contemporary desserts offer a mix of traditional Christmas flavours in an unexpected format, adding a touch of surprise to your Christmas desserts menu.

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With all these Christmas luncheon ideas laid out, now is the perfect time to act on this inspo and start your Christmas shopping list. Just remember to source all your ingredients nice and early wherever possible (just to beat the holiday crowds) and to save plenty of room in your tummy to enjoy each and every course.