Dear Friend,
If November is for gratitude, December is for grit.
It’s the month of tangled lights, sugar highs, crowded calendars, and more glitter on the floor than anyone ever asked for. And somewhere between the wrapping paper and the baby Jesus figurine someone lost under the couch—we’re still expected to feed people. Every. Single. Night.
But here’s what I’ve learned: peace doesn’t come from a perfect meal plan.
Peace comes from knowing we don’t have to do it all to be loved deeply by the One who already did it all.
This December, I’m not chasing Pinterest meals or perfect place settings. I’m building a menu full of cozy dinners, budget-friendly favorites, and room for leftovers (and grace). There’s space for birthday celebrations, freezer nights, and the sacred tradition of Christmas leftovers.
It’s not just a meal plan. It’s a pause plan. A way to say, “Let’s make space to slow down, gather close, and remember Who we’re doing this for.”
🍽️ December 1–10
- Chicken Stir-Fry w/ Rice
- Tacos
- Pasta Bake w/ Side Salad
- BBQ Chicken & Potato Wedges
- Breakfast for Dinner
- Veggie Fried Rice w/ Eggs
- Baked Potato Bar
- Turkey Meatball Subs & Fries
- Tacos w/ Beans & Rice
- Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
🍽️ December 11–20
- Cheesy Pasta w/ Steamed Veggies
- Mini Flatbread Pizzas
- Special Birthday Dinner 🎉
- Cheesy Potato Soup & Bread
- Baked Ziti
- Turkey Tacos
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Mashed Potatoes
- Sloppy Joes & Chips
- Another Birthday Dinner 🎂
- Chicken BBQ Flatbreads
- Egg Roll in a Bowl w/ Rice
🍽️ December 21–31
- Pasta Primavera
- Tacos (yes, again — and no shame)
- Italian Sausage & Potatoes
- Christmas Dinner & Lunch 🎄
- Leftovers
- DIY Sandwiches & Chips
- Mac & Cheese, Broccoli & Cheese
- Rice & Bean Bowls w/ Cheese
- Tacos
- French Bread Pizzas
💛 What I’m Holding Onto This Month
Feeding your family in December isn’t about impressing anyone.
It’s not about holiday spreads or matching dishes.
It’s about presence — yours and God’s.
Jesus came into the world through the ordinary —
a feeding trough. A tired mom.
No oven. No Pinterest board. Just grace.
So if you’re making tacos again, serving cereal for dinner, or wrapping gifts in leftover grocery bags…
That’s okay.
You’re doing sacred work.
You’re showing up — and that’s what counts.
📖 Scripture to Anchor the Season:
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” —John 1:14
God showed up in the middle of mess and manger.
And He still does — right in your kitchen, at your table, through every meal offered in love.
The Gospel at the Table
This is the season where we celebrate Emmanuel—God with us.
Not just with us in the sanctuary or on the silent night—but with us at the sticky table.
In the kitchen chaos.
In the grocery aisle when the budget is tight.
In the weariness when the holiday noise feels too loud and the toddler cries because his cookie broke.
You, mama, are doing sacred work when you feed your people.
When you warm up leftovers, cut the crusts off sandwiches, or serve boxed mac with love—you are mirroring the One who came not to be served, but to serve.
He doesn’t just show up in the manger.
He shows up in your Monday meatloaf and your freezer night French toast sticks. (Well… maybe not those. But close.)
Make Room for Peace
This meal plan won’t save your December.
But it might give you 31 fewer things to stress about—and one more chance to light a candle, gather your crew, and say a prayer over dinner.
Want your printable grocery lists and recipe links?
Check the Free Resources tab or subscribe below for weekly downloads—because sometimes God’s provision looks like an organized grocery list and someone else deciding what’s for dinner.
A Christmas Blessing for You:
May your December be messy and meaningful. May your meals be simple and satisfying. May the leftovers stretch, the birthdays be sweet, and the presence of God be felt in every small act of love you serve at the table. You are not just managing a home—you are ministering in it. He sees. He knows. He is with you.
With Christmas cheer and crushed crackers under the table,
Lizzie
Mom of Five, Light-Hanger, Birthday-Cake Baker, and Still Forgetting the Rolls
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