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Monday, November 9, 2026Nov 9

Side Orders: Simple food abounds for Christmas Eve meals

Papa Murphy's Jack-O-Lantern Pizza.
Papa Murphy's Jack-O-Lantern Pizza. Papa Murphy's Jack-O-Lantern Pizza.

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, pizzas were flying, lasagna was baking and take-out Chinese was on its way.

Really?

The possibilities are endless when it comes to Christmas Eve because, unlike Christmas Day when tradition rules and the meal is fairly standard for all, the only tradition about Christmas Eve dinner is there is no set tradition at all. Anything goes.

photo Anne Braly

“Christmas Eve is one of our busiest nights of the holiday season,” says Jamie Fulmer, vice president of operations for QS America, which operates 41 Papa John’s in the Southeast. “People are out doing last-minute holiday shopping and they don’t have time to cook.”

Rick Jackson couldn’t agree more. He does all his shopping on Christmas Eve, and it’s become his tradition to order a pizza on his way home.