Step into the nostalgia of a 1950s Christmas with these real 1950s Christmas meal plans tailored for the busy homemaker. Explore vintage-inspired recipes, festive tips, and a culinary journey back in time, making your holiday season truly special.
I recently shared 1940s Christmas meal plans and now it’s time to jump forward a decade and look at Christmas meal plans from 1952.
These meal plans were found in a vintage magazine and are the kind of thing a homemaker of the time would have looked at for inspiration, much like we do now with blogs and Pinterest.
When I share these meal plans I do my best to find recipes in case you want to try to recreate one of these meals. I also often remake old recipes to share, so if there is one you want me to try out, be sure to leave a comment to add to my list.
1950s Christmas Meal Plans
These Christmas meal plans were created around different types of holiday meals, not just Christmas Day meal plans. They give a fun variety.
These meal plans were also designed and promoted to be used for the busy homemaker. They said it was to help the homemaker “be out of the kitchen and in on the fun.” That’s something the modern homemaker can relate to wanting! So throw on a festive vintage Christmas apron and let’s get cooking.
Christmas Trimming Feast
- Oven-Fried Holiday Chicken
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Twenty-Four-Hour Salad
- Hot Rolls
- Cranberry Sauce
- Frozen Coconut Snowballs
- Coffee
They recommended that the homemaker fix the salad the day before and cook the chicken and potatoes while trimming the tree. They also suggested brown-and-serve rolls.
This highlights that even during a time when we think of homemakers doing it all, they also use shortcuts to help them make life easier, so never feel bad about needing a bit of help!
Advent Dinner
This meal was suggested for the start of Advent. It also is a nice simple meal that could be used any time during the holidays.
- Tomato Juice Cocktail
- Spiced Picnic Ham
- Rye Bread
- Relish Bowl
- Dill Pickle Slices
- Rosy Pears
- Coffee
This meal was meant to be a fix-your-own sandwich situation. It was designed to be filling and delicious but also quick for the busy housewife.
Christmas Night Dinner
- Pineapple Cocktail
- Turkey Delicious (leftover sliced turkey in a cream sauce)
- Buttered Broccoli
- Tomato Aspic Molds
- Stuffed Celery
- Toasted French Bread Slices
- Pistachio Ice Cream
- Coffee
For this menu, they suggest using a chafing dish to keep the turkey hot and to make the gelatine salad, celery, and ice cream ahead of time.
Day Out in the Snow
This meal is suggested for after some skiing and ice skating. Again designed for the homemaker to not have to miss out on all the fun.
- Hamburgers
- Pimiento Corn Pudding
- Tossed Green Salad
- T0boggon Cake (can’t find what this was meant to be, let me know if you have heard of it)
- Hot Tea
Holiday Open House
Having an open house party was a popular trend in the 1950s and these menus were always more of a snack situation.
- Hot Mulled Pineapple Punch
- Finger Sandwiches
- Christmas Cookies
- Mixed Nuts
They suggested having cinnamon sticks out for stirrers for the drinks.
I enjoyed reading this magazine article and the fact that even in the 1950s homemakers were encouraged to join in on the holiday fun. We still often forget to do that now.
Homemakers are often the ones responsible for making most of the Christmas magic happen and too often don’t get to experience that magic for themselves.
Use these meal plans as a reminder that you deserve to enjoy Christmas as much as everyone else. Take some shortcuts, no one will mind. Make things ahead of time, buy those pre-made cookies, serve easier meals, and ask for help.
Bringing the magic back to Christmas for yourself is something I talk about a lot in my book A Stress-Free Christmas. I encourage you to take some time today to think of some ways you can make Christmas easier and better for you. A less stressed homemaker will make everyone happier so it’s not just a gift for yourself!
And if you have tried any of these dishes and have a favorite recipe be sure to share it in the comments or email me and share. I love to hear about vintage recipes, especially family favorites.
Leave a Reply