Winter Dinner Ideas
As with all of my other meals plans, each dinner here can be customized as needed for your family. I usually add simple sides to round out any dinner and to ensure that my kids always have something on the table that they like—even if that’s a side dish of fruit or a veggie. Feel free to simplify as needed since I am sure you have a lot going on!
Free Meal Planning Rotation
You can download a copy of the free Meal Planning Rotation. I do my meal plans using the idea of a rotation where you use general categories every other week to reduce decision fatigue and also give the kids a chance to see foods regularly to help them learn to like the. Above here is our rough meal plan for this month. Yes, really, THIS IS IT. I have two options for breakfast and dinner that we can choose from—I usually alternate each week—then a set rotation of lunch ideas. This allows me to the number of decisions I need to make since I’m starting with narrow categories, but still have flexibility, variety, and spontaneity with all of the choices available within a category. So when you want to be having fun making salt dough or sugar cookies, you can also have a simple plan for the meals around those times. TIP: Download the printable in my Resource Library.
December Week 1
Breakfast Ideas
Lunch & Snack Ideas
Dinner Ideas
Add simple sides of fruit, cheese, crackers or muffins to round out any of these easy winter dinner ideas.
December Week 2
Breakfast Ideas
Lunch & Snack Ideas
Dinner Ideas
Make a double batch of the meatballs and stash them in the freezer for a future easy meal.
December Week 3
Breakfast Ideas
Lunch & Snack Ideas
Dinner Ideas
Use the leftover black bean soup as taco filling for an easy lunch, or as enchilada filling for another easy winter dinner idea.
December Week 4
Breakfasts
Lunch & Snacks
Dinner Ideas
Since each family has its own unique traditions, I don’t expect to tell you what to have for Christmas, but these meals is what my family likes to have in case if gives you some ideas!
Favorite Toddler Stocking StuffersMake-Ahead Christmas BreakfastsEasy Cut-Out CookiesEasy Christmas Activities
I’d love to hear if there’s a recipe you’re especially excited to cook this winter so please comment below to share!
This post was first published November 2020.
