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It doesn’t matter which December holiday you celebrate. It might be Yule, Christmas, Kwanza or Hanukkah. The one thing that’s common to almost every festivity is food. We all love to sit down with our friends and families around the dinner table. If you’re looking for some new ideas to serve at your Holiday Table, here are some great ideas from other countries around the world.

1. Arroz con pollo is a traditional dish in Latin America, but you’ll find it on the Panamanian holiday table, along with tamales, egg nog, potato salad, grapes and fruitcake. Turkey and ham could be served as well.
2. In the Philippines, start with a traditional ham, but add edam cheese and salads. Pancit is a Filipino noodle dish that might also be served. For dessert, make bibingka, which is a layered dessert made with rice flour, coconut milk, sugar and clarified butter.
3. Poland is one of the countries that serves 12 different dishes on Christmas Eve as a reminder of the 12 disciples. Cabbage rolls and pierogi are just two of the of the traditional dishes you’ll find on the menu.
4. The traditional Swedish smorgasbord served on Christmas eve is called “Julbord.” It’s much like a potluck dinner you might find at your church or community center. Pickled herring, lox and a Christmas ham are served, along with a dry crisp bread and sweet and sour side dishes to add a burst of flavor. Add Glögg, the mulled wine with spices that is enjoyed throughout the winter months, and gingerbread cookies for dessert.
5. Many people in America make pumpkin pie as part of their holiday spread. In Albania, they jazz up the pie with walnuts, and sometimes even savory spices such as pepper and oregano are added. It’s baked in a circular shape with layers of pastry.
6. Our northern neighbors in Canada serve foods that we would find traditional, such as apple cider, egg nog, gingerbread, and pumpkin and mince pies. Mixed nuts and satsuma oranges decorate the table and are eaten as snacks.
7. People in Chile make a beverage of champagne and pineapple ice cream. They call it ponche a la romana, and it’s almost like a fizzy egg nog. They also make a Christmas drink called cola de mono, combining milk, coffee, vanilla, cloves and aguardiente (a strong alcoholic drink).
8. In Japan, KFC capitalized on Christmas a few years ago. Now, it’s traditional to find fried chicken on a Japanese table at the holiday. They have the right idea. Let someone else do the hard work of cooking so you can enjoy your family and friends. It’s served with their idea of a Christmas cake, a light vanilla sponge cake layered with strawberries and cream.
9. Latin American families make and serve tamales as part of their holiday table. Women work together to make tamales for the celebration, because the food is labor-intensive. Making the tamales is a great way to get together and talk about life and family while being productive.
10. The traditional Italian-American Christmas eve dinner is called the Feast of the Seven Fishes. It has its origins in Southern Italy, where they have a vigil for the baby Jesus. Seven dishes are simply the minimum. Many families make nine, 10 or even 13 seafood dishes to celebrate the holiday and come together on Christmas eve.
11. In Jamaica, you might be served curry goat on Christmas, along with the traditional Christmas ham. Rice and peas are a Sunday staple on the island, typically made with dried legumes. For a holiday dinner, cooks might use fresh pigeon peas instead. Serve a fruit cake for dessert along with sorrel, a local drink. It’s customary to add rum at Christmas.