15 Christmas Dinner Ideas That Are a Little Fancy and Very Festive

Christmas is like clockwork: Thanksgiving passes, and all of a sudden your to-do list gets longer, with menu planning, gift shopping and wrapping, and Christmas tree-decorating. But just because Christmas comes around every year doesn't mean your menu has to. Are you tempted to cook the same Christmas dinner you made last year -- and the year before? Well, don't! Your family members will appreciate a change of pace, and some razzle dazzle isn't out of reach.

Here are 15 merry Christmas dinner ideas that your guests won't be able to stop talking about:

Persimmon Bruschetta by Aliwaks

Warm Olives in Anchovy Oil by ieatthepeach

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Bacon, Meyer Lemon, and Tart Dried Cherries by Elizabeth Stark

Balsamic-Roasted Shallots by Kenzi Wilbur

Pomegranate Roasted Carrots by Melissa Clark

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pears and Pistachios by Bevi

Vegetarian Lasagna by Feed Me Dearly

Lemon-Oregano Leg of Lamb by CherylDLee

Duck à l'Orange by Cara Nicoletti

Whole Baked Fish in Sea Salt with Parsley Gremolata by TasteFood

Bûche de Noël (Yule Log) by Yossy Arefi

Double Layer Cranberry Ginger Upside-Down Cake by Sarah Jampel

Pomegranate, Toasted Quinoa, and White Chocolate Bark by sarah kieffer | the vanilla bean blog

Clyde Common's Better Eggnog by Kenzi Wilbur

Holiday Manhattan by gingerroot