Cooking for one on Christmas
By Eli Mercer on
This year it’s just me for Christmas, and instead of treating it like a normal day with better snacks, I want to actually make the day feel intentional. I’m not looking to host a banquet or spend the entire day in the kitchen, but I do want something that feels a bit elevated and comforting.
I realized the key question is how I want to experience the meal:
If I feel like cooking, I’m thinking something designed for one person but still festive maybe a single steak cooked properly, a small roast bird, or a nice piece of fish with crisp skin. Add one or two sides done well rather than a full spread. Something warm, familiar, and satisfying.
If I’m not in the mood to cook a full meal, a “grazing” Christmas actually sounds appealing. A small board with good cheese, cured meats, olives, nuts, fresh bread, and fruit. Things I enjoy but don’t usually buy for myself. Slow eating, no rush, no cleanup stress.
And honestly, there’s also the option of leaning fully into takeaway. Ordering exactly what I want, no compromises, no sharing. Plate it nicely, pour a good drink, and make it feel deliberate rather than last-minute.
I think what matters most isn’t how elaborate the food is, but making choices that feel kind to yourself, using the good plate, lighting a candle, opening something special to drink, and treating the meal as an event.
For anyone else doing Christmas solo: what’s your go-to way of making a meal for one feel special?