In the South, Christmas always starts with a trip to our treasured family recipe boxes.

Planning festive menus for every Christmas gathering is our specialty, and you’ll never catch us unprepared.

These are our best Christmas recipes.

maple-bourbon glazed ham on a platter with oranges

Southern Living Green Salad in the bowl ready to serve

Southern Living Stuffed Pork Loin on a platter to serve

classic grits breakfast casserole in a white dish with a scoop taken out

Southern Living Hummingbird Bread sliced on a platter to serve topped with pecans

Southern Living Whipped Potatoes in the bowl ready to serve

herb-crusted roasted leg of lamb on a pltter with herbs

Lemon Meringue Cake - Southern Living

Southern Living Skillet Asparagus

Southern Living Mascarpone Frosting on cupcakes to serve

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

Smashed Baby Red Potatoes

Bourbon sauce being spooned over bread pudding

Southern Living Best Ever Sticky Buns on a plate to serve

Southern Living Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs on a platter ready to serve

Southern Living Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding after baking ready to serve

a whole peppermint pie on a pink plate

Southern Living Crab Puffs on a platter ready to serve with sparkling water

Southern Living Boiled Custard in the glass to serve

Southern Living Brandy Alexander drinks finished and ready to serve

Southern Living Vegetable Lasagna in the dish ready to serve

Southern Living Cowboy Breakfast Casserole scooped out onto a plate to serve

easy peanut butter cookies

Southern Living Cheese-Bacon Crispies

Southern Living Eggnog Truffles in a tin ready to serve

Southern Living Christmas Fruit Salad on plates to serve

Southern Living Pecan Sandies on a tray ready to serve with a glass of milk

Orange Sherbet Punch in the bowl to serve

Southern Living Molly Bolton Molasses Cake sliced and ready to serve

Southern Living Wedge Salad on a plate ready to serve

Southern Living Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Stuffed-Pepper Wreath

Christmas Eve Punch in a punch bowl

Southern Living Peppermint Mocha Cake Balls on a plate ready to serve

Southern Living Christmas Relish Tree prepared and ready to serve

Southern Living Twice Baked Potatoes on a plate ready to serve

Southern Living Foolproof Fudge on a platter ready to serve

Southern Living Cocktail Meatballs on a platter to serve

Southern Living Walnut Crescents on a platter ready to serve

Southern Living Hot Cocoa Cookies baked and ready to serve

No-Bake Dark Chocolate-Peppermint Sandwich Cookies

Southern Living Kentucky Bourbon Fruitcake sliced and ready to serve

Flourless Chocolate-Orange Cake

Southern Living Easy Fudge cut on a plate ready to serve

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Cranberry Brie Bites

Southern Living Baked Brie with Jam in the dish ready to serve

candied peanuts in a bowl

Southern Living Classic Caramel Corn ready to serve

Divinity on a gold platter

millionaire candy on a platter - Southern Living

Southern Living Stained Glass Cookies on a plate ready to serve

Southern Living Chrstmas Salad in the bowl to serve

Southern Living Cookie Icing on cookies to serve

Southern Living Eggnog Snickerdoodle Cookies

pomegranate margaritas

Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

Southern Living Onion Jam in a jar ready to serve

Southern Living Thumbprint Cookies on a tray ready to serve

Southern Living Cottage Cheese Lasagna sliced and ready to serve

Southern Living Spritz Cookies on a platter ready to serve

Berry Juniper Fizz

Rum Balls - Southern Living