"Children, at the table!" The classic cry from mother or grandmother is often unwelcome to children’s ears, especially on Christmas Day. Taken away from playing with their new presents, they have to listen to boring adult conversation at lunch. In order to get them in the mood to eat something other than chocolates and candies, it takes a few tricks. First of all, we can try and involve them in the preparation and table arrangement. In the upcoming days to Christmas they could do simple tasks in the kitchen, away from hot stoves and sharp utensils, like kneading and mixing, with their hands shaping cookies and tortellini, breaking eggs, and measuring ingredients. Above all though, they can enjoy tasting everything! On Christmas day you’ll have legitimate assistants in setting the table and arranging placeholders and napkins. They will feel important and maybe they’ll feel more like participating in Christmas lunch, especially if they were involved in composing the menu thought for them.
Appetizers
Prepare a plate of mixed hors d'oeuvres for the youngsters. Cooked ham and salami accompanied by scones or croquettes are generally a hit. Let's indulge the tastes of small diners with: if they love Russian salad, give the all clear for colorful appetizers; if they hate fish, let's not force them to eat salmon today. It’s a yes to original Christmas presentations, like star-shaped or Christmas tree shaped canapés, especially if we have the children to help us prepare them.
First Courses
A Christmas classic is filled pasta: ravioli and tortellini, as well as lasagna and cannelloni are often too elaborate and complex for children. If we prepare fresh pasta at home, then we can save some for the little ones to make (maybe entrusting them with the task of stretching the pasta) some tagliatelle or tagliolini to top with a simple sauce or with butter and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. If instead we buy ready-made anolini pasta... we can always offer them a different normal pasta.
Main Courses
Even in this case they are often too elaborate, and here a trick could be to set aside a portion of unstuffed meat, untouched by sauces, mustards, or other strange gravies for them. The simple roast chicken is usually appreciated by young diners. Plus let's not forget a side dish of roast potatoes!
Desserts
Presentation could be everything: star-shaped sliced pandoro reassembled staggering the tips, filled with whipped cream is certainly an inviting way to entice children. If we don't feel like making an elaborate dessert, whipped cream or the classic mascarpone cream will makes the panettone as well as fruit even more delicious, maybe a nice fruit salad dish.
Christmas toast
No champagne for the household’s youngsters obviously. The most popular solution is carbonated drinks, but not only. Fruit juices are also suitable for children and can mimic many adult drinks: an orange colored ACE juice will look like a spritz and can accompany their aperitif, while apple and blueberry could take the place of white and red wines.
