The holiday season calls for dishes that delight the senses, warm the heart and bring loved ones together. To ensure your celebrations are as seamless as they are scrumptious, having a thorough shopping list is essential, and we’re here to help.
This year, wow your guests with a menu featuring standout recipes like Creamy Sweet Potato Gratin, Cinnamon-Roasted Acorn Squash and a showstopping Yule Log. Each dish combines classic flavors with a festive twist, making your holiday table unforgettable. A little planning goes a long way, so this comprehensive shopping list covers all the essentials, from pantry staples to specialty ingredients.
For the gratin, you’ll need tender sweet potatoes, heavy cream and parmesan to create that perfect creamy texture. The roasted squash calls for acorn squash, cinnamon and a touch of maple syrup for a cozy, caramelized side. And the Yule Log? It shines with ingredients like rich chocolate, heavy cream and festive garnishes such as powdered sugar or candied cranberries. With our list in hand, you’ll save time, stay organized and breeze through holiday prep. Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a grand feast, this thoughtful shopping guide ensures every bite is a celebration of the season.
A very merry feast
Orange-Spice Glazed Ham
☐ 1 (16 oz.) btle. honey-Dijon salad dressing
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. dark brown sugar
☐ 1 (2.45 oz.) cont. ground cinnamon
☐ 1 (2.62 oz.) cont. onion powder
☐ 1 (32 oz.) btle. apple juice
☐ 1 orange
☐ 1 head garlic
☐ 1 (4–5 lb.) fully cooked semi-boneless smoked ham
Skillet Dinner Rolls
☐ 1 (8.5 oz.) cont. flaky salt
☐ 1 (3.12 oz.) cont. garlic powder
☐ 1 bunch fresh parsley
☐ 1 bunch fresh thyme
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. frozen bread dough
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. butter
Creamy Sweet Potato Gratin
☐ 1 (1.5 oz.) cont. ground nutmeg
☐ 1 (1.5 oz.) cont. crushed red pepper flakes
☐ 1 head garlic
☐ 1½ lbs. gold potatoes
☐ 1½ lbs. sweet potatoes
☐ 1 bunch fresh chives
☐ 1 bunch fresh thyme
☐ 1 (16 oz.) carton heavy cream
☐ 1 (32 oz.) carton milk
☐ 1 (8 oz.) pkg. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Pomegranate-Pear Salad
☐ 1 (16 oz.) btle. olive oil
☐ 1 (16 oz.) btle. red wine vinegar
☐ 1 (.75 oz.) cont. dried oregano
☐ 1 (8 oz.) jar Dijon mustard
☐ 1 small shallot, minced
☐ 2 Bosc or Bartlett pears
☐ 1 (5 oz.) box baby greens
☐ 1 (4 oz.) cont. pomegranate arils
☐ 1 (5 oz.) cont. crumbled blue cheese
Cinnamon-Roasted Acorn Squash
☐ 1 (2.45 oz.) cont. ground cinnamon
☐ 1 (2.3 oz.) cont. ground chipotle chili powder
☐ 1 (8.5 oz.) btle. maple syrup
☐ 2 small acorn squash
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. butter
Best-ever holiday cookies
Festive Whoopie Pies
☐ 1 (15.25 oz.) pkg. red velvet cake mix
☐ 1 (8 oz.) cont. unsweetened cocoa powder
☐ 1 (4 oz.) bar white chocolate
☐ 1 (12 oz.) pkg. red candy melts
☐ 1 (dozen) carton eggs
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. butter
☐ 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
Strawberry Linzer Cookies
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. granulated sugar
☐ 1 (2 lb.) pkg. all-purpose flour
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. superfine almond flour
☐ 1 (8.1 oz.) cont. baking powder
☐ 1 (1 oz.) btle. almond extract
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. confectioners’ sugar
☐ 1 (12 oz.) jar strawberry jam
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. butter
☐ 1 (dozen) carton eggs
Peppermint Candy Canes
☐ 1 (16.5 oz.) pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough
☐ 1 (2 lb.) pkg. all-purpose flour
☐ 1 (1 oz.) btle. peppermint extract
☐ 6 candy canes
☐ 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
Meringue Trees
☐ 1 (1.5 oz.) cont. cream of tartar
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. sugar
☐ 1 (1 oz.) btle. vanilla extract
☐ 1 (1 oz.) btle. green liquid food coloring
☐ 1 (2 oz.) cont. rainbow colored nonpareils
☐ 1 (dozen) carton eggs
Simple homemade food gifts
Cinnamon ’n’ Spice Nut Mix
☐ 2 (1 lb.) pkgs. unsalted mixed nuts
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. brown sugar
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. granulated sugar
☐ 1 (2 oz.) jar ground cinnamon
☐ 1 (1.75 oz.) jar cayenne pepper
☐ 1 (dozen) carton eggs
☐ 1 (750 ml.) btle. spiced rum
Cran-Pistachio Bark
☐ 3 (10 oz.) pkgs. white chocolate chips
☐ 1 (16 oz.) cont. vegetable shortening
☐ 1 (12 oz.) pkg. dried cranberries
☐ 2 (10 oz.) pkgs. unsalted pistachios
☐ 1 (8 oz.) pkg. slivered almonds
Nutty Chocolate Salami
☐ 2 (10 oz.) pkgs. semisweet chocolate chips
☐ 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
☐ 1 (8 oz.) cont. unsweetened cocoa powder
☐ 1 (1 oz.) btle. vanilla extract
☐ 1 (10 oz.) pkg. pistachios
☐ 1 (10 oz.) pkg. pecans
☐ 1 orange
Festive treats
Yule Log
☐ 1 (2 lb.) pkg. all-purpose flour
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. granulated sugar
☐ 1 (8 oz.) cont. unsweetened cocoa powder
☐ 1 (16 oz.) pkg. confectioners’ sugar
☐ 1 (32 oz.) carton milk
☐ 1 (dozen) carton eggs
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. butter
Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake
☐ 1 (5.2 oz.) pkg. Oreos
☐ 1 (8 oz.) cont. unsweetened cocoa powder
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. sugar
☐ 1 (16 oz.) cont. cornstarch
☐ 1 (1 oz.) btle. vanilla extract
☐ 1 (12 oz.) pkg. cranberries
☐ 1 lemon
☐ 1 (1 lb.) pkg. butter
☐ 4 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
☐ 1 (dozen) carton eggs
☐ 1 (8 oz.) cont. sour cream
