Christmas Dinner Grocery List 2026 (Amounts for a Crowd)
By Cedar & Ledger
Christmas 2026 falls on Friday, December 25. Stores get busy on the Monday before and close early on Christmas Eve, so a list split by when you buy, with amounts sized to your guest count, saves the last-minute trip.
1. Count guests and pick the main
Write down adults and kids (count kids as about half a portion) and any dietary needs. Then choose one main, or two smaller ones. Every amount below depends on these two answers.
2. Per-guest amounts
These are common rules of thumb. Adjust for big eaters and leftovers.
- Bone-in ham: about ¾ lb per person. Boneless ham: about ½ lb.
- Bone-in prime rib: about 1 lb per person, or one rib for every 2 guests.
- Whole turkey: 1 to 1½ lb per person.
- Potatoes: about ½ lb raw per person.
- Green vegetables: about ¼ lb per person. Green salad: about 1 cup of greens per person, and 1 lb of whole romaine makes about 7¾ cups (how much salad per person). Making a green bean casserole? One classic batch serves about 6.
- Sweet potato casserole: about ⅓ lb raw sweet potatoes per person; a 9x13 with 4 lb serves about 12.
- Rolls: 1½ to 2 per person.
- Mac and cheese: about 1 lb dry pasta (one 9x13 pan) for every 10 to 12 guests.
- Deviled eggs: about 2 halves (1 egg) per person before dinner, 3 halves at an appetizer party. Cook 2 to 4 extra eggs per dozen.
- Gravy or sauce: about ⅓ cup per person.
- Dessert: one 9-inch pie or cake serves about 8. Cookies: plan 2 to 3 per guest. Coffee with dessert: about 1 mug per guest, and a 12-oz bag of ground coffee makes about 34 (how much coffee for a crowd).
- Drinks: about 1 drink per guest per hour, plus water. Serving wine? See how much wine per person. Ice: about 1 lb per guest (how much ice for a party).
For full charts, see how much ham per person and how much turkey per person.
3. Crowd quantities at a glance
| Guests | Bone-in ham | Potatoes | Rolls | Pies | Ice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 6 lb | 4 lb | 12–16 | 1–2 | 8 lb |
| 12 | 9 lb | 6 lb | 18–24 | 2 | 12 lb |
| 16 | 12 lb | 8 lb | 24–32 | 2–3 | 16 lb |
| 20 | 15 lb (or two hams) | 10 lb | 30–40 | 3 | 20 lb |
| 25 | 19 lb (two hams) | 12½ lb | 38–50 | 3–4 | 25 lb |
With five or more sides, make a little less of each.
4. Split the list by when to buy
- 2–3 weeks ahead (Dec 4–11): frozen turkey or ham, canned goods, broth, flour, sugar, baking chips, spices, foil pans, napkins, drinks that keep. Order a prime rib or fresh ham from the butcher now.
- Weekend before (Dec 19–20): butter, cheese, cream cheese, eggs, sturdy vegetables (onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, squash), cranberries, frozen rolls.
- 1–2 days before (Dec 23–24): fresh herbs, salad greens, fresh bread, whipped cream, berries, ice. Pick up the butcher order. Check your store's Christmas Eve hours; many close early and most are closed Dec 25.
A frozen turkey thaws in the fridge at about 24 hours per 4–5 lb, so a 16 lb bird goes into the fridge by Sunday, Dec 20.
5. Shop your pantry first
Cross off what you already have. Spices, vanilla, brown sugar and baking soda are the most common doubles, and baking for cookies and dinner in the same week uses more butter and eggs than people expect.
6. Add a price to each line
Example numbers: 12 guests. Bone-in ham 9 lb at $2.50/lb = $23. Potatoes, vegetables, rolls and gravy about $45. Two pies plus cookie supplies about $30. Drinks about $35. Ice and paper goods about $15. Total about $148, or about $12 per guest. Your prices will differ; check your store's weekly ad.
7. Let guests bring something
For a crowd, assign drinks, rolls or one dessert to guests and cross those lines off once they confirm. See Christmas potluck ideas.
Common questions
Can I shop everything one week ahead? Yes for frozen, canned and dry goods and sturdy vegetables. Leave greens, herbs, bread and berries for the last two days.
How do I keep it from going over budget? Set a per-guest number first, then plan the menu around it. See the Christmas dinner budget guide.
For the cooking plan, see the Christmas dinner timeline and Christmas dinner menu planning. A free Christmas dinner menu planner is also available.
If you want it on paper: the Christmas Dinner Hosting Planner has a menu, guest list, shopping list and timeline in one place. For a buffet or potluck table, the Christmas Food Labels ($3, printable tent cards with allergen boxes) help guests find what they can eat, but always confirm allergens with the cook.
This is general information, not financial or food-safety advice. Follow package directions and USDA guidance for thawing and cooking meat.
Honest note: I make these templates and sell them under Cedar & Ledger, so I'd earn from a purchase. This guide was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed before release.
Related template: read about the christmas dinner hosting planner template
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Try the free holiday gift budget calculator →
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
A Christmas 2026 grocery list split by when to buy, with per-guest amounts, a crowd chart for 8 to 25 guests and an example $12-per-guest budget.
What's the main idea?
Write down adults and kids (count kids as about half a portion) and any dietary needs. Then choose one main, or two smaller ones. Every amount below depends on these two answers.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.