Christmas dinner traditions come in many forms — and they don’t always involve a roast turkey or glazed ham. If you’re looking to elevate your holiday celebration or break free from the ordinary, here are four festive menu ideas for your Christmas dinner. From bold Arizona flavors to Italian seafood feasts, these alternative meals are perfect for making memories (and delicious leftovers).

Tamales and pozole

Christmas in the Southwest is practically synonymous with tamales and pozole. These Mexican dishes aren’t just festive food — they’re a celebration. Tamales, made from soft masa dough wrapped around savory or sweet fillings and steamed to perfection, are a labor of love.

The best part? Making tamales is a family event. Gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves and turn the kitchen into a hub of holiday cheer.

Pair your tamales with a piping hot bowl of pozole, a traditional Mexican stew brimming with hominy, tender pork or chicken, and bold red chile broth.

Pozole toppings are a DIY dream — set out bowls of shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, lime wedges and crispy tortilla strips for everyone to personalize their bowl. Together, tamales and pozole create a meal full of flavor, warmth and heart.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes

If your family roots trace back to Italy — or if you just love seafood — consider serving the Feast of the Seven Fishes. This Italian American Christmas Eve tradition honors the custom of abstaining from meat before the holiday, replacing it with a decadent array of seafood dishes.

Your feast can include classics like fried calamari, buttery lobster tails or cioppino, a fragrant tomato-based seafood stew packed with shrimp, clams and mussels. For lighter options, grilled branzino or a fresh shrimp scampi might hit the spot.

And don’t forget side dishes. Toasted bread, roasted fennel and lemony greens pair beautifully with this spread.

Southwest barbecue

In Arizona, we like to bring the heat — especially in December. Instead of a traditional oven-roasted meal, fire up the smoker or grill for a Southwest-inspired barbecue feast. Imagine a spread of tender smoked brisket, tangy chipotle barbecue ribs or juicy mesquite-grilled chicken.

For a vegetarian twist, opt for smoky portobello mushrooms stuffed with poblano crema and queso fresco.

Round out the meal with sides that pack a punch — cornbread stuffing, chili-lime-roasted sweet potatoes or a zesty jicama slaw. And don’t forget the drinks! Margaritas or spicy micheladas are the perfect complement to these bold flavors.

Barbecue brings a laid-back vibe to your Christmas celebration and gives everyone a reason to toast to the beautiful Arizona winter weather.

Global tapas

Can’t decide on just one cuisine? With tapas, you don’t have to. This modern approach to Christmas dinner lets you serve a variety of small plates inspired by international flavors. Think Spanish patatas bravas, Italian arancini, Korean short ribs and Moroccan-spiced lamb skewers — all on one table.

Tapas make it easy to please every preference while creating a festive, interactive dining experience. Guests and family members can mingle, sample different dishes and savor the holiday spirit one bite at a time.

Create a cocktail or wine pairing for each dish — because what’s better than a perfectly matched sip to go with each bite?

Whether you’re dreaming of tamales steaming on the table, a seafood feast fit for the Amalfi Coast or smoky barbecue wafting through your backyard, the Valley’s expert chefs, including those at M Culinary Concepts, can help you make it happen by crafting custom menus that celebrate your unique traditions — or helping you start new ones.

The best gift you can give this Christmas is the gift of incredible food, shared with the ones you love.

Editor’s note: Madison LaBerge is content specialist at Phoenix-based M Culinary Concepts, Arizona's largest catering and hospitality company. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org