Usually, our Christmas table is full of meals that we enjoy the most, making each one of them unique. But the festive dinner isn’t the same without traditional staples like a roasted bird, Brussels sprouts, mash with gravy, or gingerbread cookies.

For example, in the UK, people eat over ten million turkeys at Christmas, and even though there’s always someone complaining about the meat being dry or bland, it’s a fan favorite across the country.

But have we ever stopped to think about the origins of the dishes we put on our tables every year? The turkey, for example, initially started as a goose. People avoided slaughtering cows for meat, as they produced milk all year round, while chickens produced eggs, which were quite expensive. Geese only lay eggs seasonally, which makes them the perfect candidates for the Christmas table.

This holiday dish quickly became a staple in many households. However, the bird wasn’t enough to feed bigger families, and eventually, imported turkeys replaced them by the mid-twentieth century.

Gingerbread is also a classic during the holidays, but did you know that the tradition of building and decorating it as a house began in Germany? Food historians say that this activity started with the Brothers Grimm publishing their book of fairy tales in the 1800s. The story of Hansel and Gretel, two children who found a house made of bread and sugar decorations, circulated throughout the country and inspired German bakers to create their own versions.

Today, the edible structures have become vastly bigger and more intricate, like this Downton Abbey one.

Besides, we also have to thank Germany for coming up with our beloved candy canes. The popular legend says that they date back to 1670 when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks to the younger singers to quiet them down during the Living Creche ceremony. People complained that sweets weren’t appropriate at church, so he bent them into shepherd's hooks in honor of Christmas.

There’s also another version, a less fun one, that says that it’s possible that Germans angled candy canes to hang them from trees alongside other decorations like cookies and fruits.

Additionally, it’s common that during the holidays, most avid bakers and cooks pull out spices like cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger from their cupboards. Afterward, they appear in all sorts of dishes, and it’s all because of some soldiers who fought in the Crusades (a religious war). They were the ones who brought back the spices and the style of combining them with dried fruit and meat. At first, they were so valuable that they were saved for the most important celebrations, particularly Christmas. Now they are easily accessible and can be found in pies, cookies, and chicken dishes.

The famous Yule log, or rolled chocolate sponge, goes all the way back to Scandinavian paganism when the ancient Norse burned round firewood to celebrate the sun's return at the winter solstice. After Christianity swept the UK, the tradition continued by scorching them in fireplaces. But as homes got smaller, it became harder to fit large logs in them. Instead, someone decided to bake a cake as a reminder of it, and the Yule log was born. In the 19th century, it became popular across Europe when Parisian bakeries started making and embellishing them to place on their displays.

Eggnog, as we know it today, is a concoction of eggs, milk, and sugar spiked with rum or bourbon. While its lineage can’t be accurately traced back, most historians agree that it originated from the medieval British drink “posset.” It was made with hot milk that was curdled with wine or ale and flavored with spices. The ingredients were the food of the wealthy, so eggnog was often used in toasts for prosperity and good health. It was tied to the holiday when the drink reached America. In fact, George Washington shared his own eggnog recipe that was very alcohol-heavy, with four different types of booze included in it. What a fun guy!

As we can see, we've come a long way before we ended up with unique dishes like the ones on the list. If you lack the confidence to try the creative Christmas foods you see in the pictures, maybe you can try returning to the traditional ones; no one will judge you for it!

And those of you who have planned your Christmas menu in advance, let us know in the comments what whimsical treats you’ll be surprising your loved ones with.

For more holiday-inspired foods, make sure to check out our earlier publications here and here.

Lastly, we wish you delicious upcoming holidays and happy cooking!