Five tips for an easy Christmas dinner, from Temp-tations cookware founder Tara Tesher
My 64-year-old mother has been cooking her whole life. Her kitchen cabinets are stacked with pots, pans, and various small appliances I’m not sure I could even identify. But when it comes to bakeware, there’s only one brand that she buys: Temp-tations.
The brand sells a range of ceramic cookware at QVC (my mother loves to buy whatever David Venable recommends). It’s known for its stunning floral designs and vibrant holiday collections, like Holly Peppermint, Winter Whimsy, and Poinsettia (my mother’s Christmas design of choice).
My mother has Temp-tations cookware that’s decades old but still as functional and bright as the day she bought them. The vibrant designs make them great dishes for oven-to-table presentation, a holiday hosting treat for those who are juggling several dishes for Christmas dinner.
We spoke with Temp-tations founder Tara Tesher about her tips for hosting the most successful holiday dinner, including which dishes she’ll be making, how to navigate planning a large dinner, and what inspired her to create the Temp-tations line.
Temp-tations founder Tara Tesher dished on her best holiday hosting tips.
Tip 1: Cook what you love.
There may be some dishes you’re forcing yourself to make just because they’re traditionally found at a Christmas feast — think ham, green bean casserole, or cranberry sauce. But for the most successful dinner, Tara doesn’t think you need to be tied to any specific dish.
“Make what you love!” Tara says. “I don’t think there are any fundamental rules. I lean on the traditions I had growing up and look forward to recreating them each year.”
If you’re wondering whether Tara will have a ham or turkey at her table this year, the answer is neither.
“Actually, I am team prime rib!” Tara delights. “I love this family staple, and I make it for my family each year with a homemade horseradish sauce — divine!”
Your dinner doesn’t need to look exactly like what you see in Bon Appetit. Stick to what you know (and love!) — it’ll boost your confidence and excitement toward your cooking journey.
Tip 2: Lean into one-dish meals.
Not excited about making 10 different sides? Embrace the one-dish life — it’ll make cooking, cleaning, and serving much easier. In fact, the convenience of one-pot cooking is what inspired Tara to found the Temp-tations line.
“My mother is a wonderful cook, but she used every dish in the house, and I was responsible for clean-up,” Tara explains. “As I got older, I just knew there had to be an easier and more affordable way, and one-dish cooking was the answer; prepping, cooking, serving, and storing all in one dish led to Temp-tations.”
The ease of an attractive oven-to-table dish can’t be overstated, especially around the holidays. No need to transfer rolls to baskets or scrape those green beans into a new dish — if you can find a gorgeous piece of bakeware, lean into its beauty and present it at the table.
A dry run for your big day can keep you from accidentally running out of dishes.
Tip 3: Make as much as you can in advance.
There are a few staples you won’t be able to prep ahead of time, like mashed potatoes or rolls. But stuffing, dessert, and casseroles can be prepared well ahead of your mealtime, so if you’re stressing about timing, do as much cutting, mixing, dicing, and baking the day before.
“I am a firm believer in making what you can in advance,” Tara recommends. If you pick up a dish with a lid, it’s even easier to prep the meal ahead of time, store it in the fridge, then pop it into the oven without needing to fiddle with plastic wrap or oversized spoons.
Tip 4: Practice before your feast.
You won’t find Tara fumbling around her kitchen Christmas morning. She plans out her meal in advance, going as far as to plan out each individual dish she’ll be using so she’s not worried about needing to make any game-time decisions.
Another way Tara prepares for her Christmas dinner? She practices.
“I do a dry run without food,” Tara says. “Having a solid game plan reduces stress and gives me more time with my guests.”
Tara’s favorite toffee bars make the perfect Christmas dessert.
Tip 5: Never forget dessert.
As you’re juggling vegetables, meats, and sauces, don’t forget the best part of dinner: the dessert.
Since your oven will be crowded on the actual holiday, desserts are best made in advance. Opt for those that store well or fit in your fridge with all the ingredients you’ve crammed in there.
“My favorite Christmas dessert is my toffee bars,” Tara explains. “You can never eat just one. You can make these year-round and decorate them for each season — they are always delicious and always in style!”
The best Temp-tations holiday dishes that will ship by Christmas
If you love Temp-tations cookware like my mother, you still have time to get your own holiday dishes before Christmas (or send these links to your kids, so they can buy them for you). If you’re struggling to pick your favorite design, Tara’s favorites this year are Woodland and Carved Willow. These dishes will all ship by Christmas if you order by December 19th at QVC.
Temp-tations
This baker works for every casserole on your to-cook list, and its gorgeous design is featured on both the inside and outside of the dish, treating all who come near it to a stunning Christmas display.
$22 at QVC
Temp-tations
Shop this darling 7-piece set if you’re planning on serving multiple sides or vegetables, like mashed potatoes and carrots. There are three ceramic bowls that each come with a lid, so you can keep your veggies warm while you finish prepping the rest of your meal.
$40 at QVC
Temp-tations
These square bakers are perfect for brownies or blondies, which can be prepped the day before your big meal. My mother uses hers for a cranberry crumble, but they’re also good for savory sides, as well.
$38 at QVC
Temp-tations
This oval baker is begging to be filled with mashed potatoes. You can make them directly in this pot, put the lid on, then serve with the rest of the meal. No need to spoon your entire side into its own bowl — this baker doubles as a serving dish, too.
$30 at QVC
Temp-tations
This delicate tart pan comes with its own plastic lid, so you can keep your dessert fresh overnight without worrying that it’ll get ruined throughout the cooking process.
$28 at QVC
Temp-tations
This adorable 6-cup muffin pan is a must-have for Christmas morning. It features a small cartoon Christmas character at the bottom of each tin, which will cause your eaters to smile as they lift their treat from the tin.
$16 at QVC
Temp-tations
This whopping 2-quart cookie jar can hold all the decadent holiday cookies your oven can bake. Open it up once your company finishes their feast and let them snack along with the happy gnome that sits on its side.
$25 at QVC
Temp-tations
This silicone baking dish is ideal for those baked treats that tend to stick to the pan — think brownies, toffee, and even chocolate bark. You can push each item from the bottom to pop it out without breaking, and cleanup is (thankfully) a breeze.
$20 at QVC
Temp-tations
If you’ve got a Kitchen-Aid mixer, this festive glass bowl can give it that much-needed holiday flair. It features a pourable spout and easy-to-grab handle that will make preparing cakes, cookies, and pies much more fun this season.
$55 at QVC
Temp-tations
If you’re preparing multiple cakes or pies for your Christmas dinner, you’ll want this two-pack of cake plates, each of which is ordained with peppermints and holly leaves. It also comes with an angel ornament you can set on your Christmas table.
$28 at QVC
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