It’s the holidays, and that means holiday food. We’re talking fancy dinner party fare, so many cookies, and festive takes on your favorite cereals and snacks, which you’re not sure you actually want but you’re definitely still going to eat because, “‘tis the season!” This year, only deck the halls of your stomach with the best holiday foods.
As our gift to you (and because it’s literally our jobs), we donned our ugly holiday sweaters and taste tested a whole bunch of holiday foods, from eggnog to pie crusts to holiday coffee creamer. All you need to supply is your favorite antacid. Here are the best holiday food ideas to add to your grocery list.
Best Eggnog
You only buy eggnog once a year (and if you don’t, that’s your business), so make sure you’re buying the best eggnog.
Best Fondue
Unfortunately, we can’t all pack up and winter in the Alps. Fortunately, you can do the next best thing, which is buy one of the best fondue kits, throw on an extremely wooly sweater, and yodle away your holiday blues.
Best Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp cocktail is a classic holiday food. And, thanks to our handy list, you can now buy the best versions of this festive food, ready-to-eat at the grocery store. Holiday appetizer, done.
Best Fruit Cake
Don’t listen to all the bad stereotypes; good fruit cake (and panettone) does exist. We tasted a bunch and found the only fruitcakes you should buy this year.
Best Gingerbread Cookies
There’s more than just gingerbread men out there. These are the best gingerbread cookies (and straight-up ginger cookies) you can buy for your holiday cookie plate.
Best Winter Beers
These holiday beers range from full-on chocolate-flavored to tastes-like-a-Christmas-tree. So there’s something in here for everyone.
Best Peppermint Ice Cream
Whether you experience a not-so-cold-outside Christmas or simply want a festive ice cream treat with your holiday cookies, these peppermint ice creams will do the trick.
Best Holiday Coffee Creamer
These holiday creamers will put a jingle in your step every morning. Make sure you get the right one. (And you can watch us taste some new holiday coffee creamers if you need some company.)
Best Pie Crust
Making a holiday pie? Save your precious time for watching holiday movies and doing some last-minute shopping for that cousin you always forget by using one the best pre-made, store bought pie crusts instead of making one from scratch.
Best Candy Canes
Not all candy canes are alike. Some are much better than others. Those are the candy canes you’ll find on this list.
Best Peppermint Bark
Peppermint bark is one of the best holiday foods to come along and now a ton of companies make it. We tried them all and found the best bark you can bite.
Best Trader Joe’s Holiday Treats
Trader Joe’s is a one-stop-shop for some of the best holiday food ideas. We tasted all their most festive foods and ranked them so you don’t end up with any duds.
Best Hot Cocoa Mix
I don’t care if you only drink black coffee in the morning and whiskey at night. When the holidays are here, you drink hot cocoa. Drink the best stuff made from one of our top cocoa mix picks.
Holiday Appetizers
Some of the best holiday foods are appetizers. And we’ve created a shopping list of the best, easiest holiday appetizers out there. Barely any work, but all the reward.
Holiday Party Haul
Throwing a holiday party? Need some good holiday food ideas? Don’t want to actually do very much work? Then you’ve come to the right list.
Holiday Cereal
Every year cereal companies put out special edition holiday versions of their classic cereals. Some of them are just plain ol’ red and green. Snore. These are the ones worth buying so you can start your day with a bowlful of holiday cheer.
