How to Create a Festive Dollar Tree Christmas Dinner

[@allyrooh3628]

We have a "wayward Christmas Eve" party. Anyone we meet during the year that doesn't have family in town or lost a spouse etc is welcome at our house. Over the years, this has really grown in numbers. So many start coming and have never stopped! I wouldn't have it any other way. I make multiple lasagnas and everyone that comes brings a app, side, or dessert. This keeps the cost down for me yet gives us all the food we could ever eat and more. It's my favorite day of the year. Happy Holidays, Maria!

[@MealsWithMaria]

That is soooo cool! You’re so kind! It really is what it’s all about!

[@dianeshover1465]

What a LOVELY, KIND & INCLUSIVE way to celebrate the holiday season with those who might otherwise be alone👏👏👏 BLESSINGS from the beautiful state of Maine❤️🎄

[@allyrooh3628]

@@dianeshover1465 thank you 😊

[@Shelly-vision0.o]

This is so so beautiful ❤

[@wallashakalla]

My family does the same thing. We do it at her barn. Last year we fed 75 people. This year we I had a cold so couldn’t participate 😩.

[@barbfrontczak1791]

What an awesome meal ❤! I'm Italian 🇮🇹 so I make a lot of pasta 🍝 for the holidays 😊!

[@katherinestojanovski6734]

I found like, nine stray chicken nuggets left in the bag in the freezer 🤔 and wondered who that was supposed to feed? Then I saw this video and got to work! I had the other ingredients for the casserole, and the cupcakes (chocolate cake mix purchased for 25 cents on clearance and Dr. Pepper) so I whipped those up while the pasta was boiling, and got them both in the oven together. Dinner solved! 🎉 The casserole really is tasty, and I know the cupcakes are, too, because I’ve made them like that before. Thanks for another great video! I will try the green bean recipe as soon as I buy some dried cranberries. 😊

[@danacoughlin4288]

I love your ideas. Due to dietary restrictions there aren't a lot of foods I can eat from the Dollar Tree but it gives me ideas for meals with products from other stores.

[@lisapop5219]

He takes his job very seriously. It's adorable

[@karengretzler8754]

The friend who gave me oyster crackers recipe typed it up on a typewriter. (I’m old! 🤣) She made a typo and tried to correct it but you could tell she had originally typed “spacy crackers” instead of spicy. To this day I call it spacy crackers. Fitting because she was kinda spacy.

[@christeenprice5637]

Awesome video thanks Maria 👍🙏🏻👍🌲🌲

[@tonifloerchinger3462]

Guess where I am going tomorrow? Yup, Dollar Store! Looks so good.

[@MealsWithMaria]

🎉 🎉

[@SmalltownSix]

I am cracking up at how we both got Pasta without even planning that! You are the queen of budget cooking and making food look and taste great! Love this! You know I just love ya girl and your channel! Yo are awesome and I am so happy we got to do this together!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😂 great minds!!! Thank you so much for collaborating with me! It was so fun!

[@ter8330]

What a great little helper you have!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Aw yes ❤️❤️❤️

[@barbarasutherland8000]

Nice ideas Happy Holidays to you and your family.🌍👍🌍😘🌍🎄🌍🍀🌍🙏🌍👏🌍😋🌍

[@couponingwithisa]

THANKS FOR SHARING-HAPPY HOLIDAYS ❤

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

First I've been meaning to tell you how youthful and beautiful your hair has been looking lately. Your hair is always lush and beautiful, but this particular style really suits you well. Second, please tell Julian what I great helper he is, he's a joy to watch. Thirdly, I am always so impressed with your Holiday dinner videos and even with the increases in prices the last few years, you have not disappointed. A lovely spread as always. Merry Christmas, Maria. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Aw thank you! I really feel like after 2 years I’m just coming out if that post partum feeling. Kinda back to myself type thing ❤️ I’ll let him know you said that! He seems to really enjoy helping!

[@leewillers4621]

That’s so cute! Julian is a good helper and does a good job!

[@bethhelminiak5063]

I always get a little excited when she uses the pink silicone utensils from Aldi. I bought the full set, and have them hanging on the front of my cabinets as decor when not in use, lol!

[@psycprofessor4997]

This was awesome! Thank you!!

[@leewillers4621]

Thanks for the super ideas Maria!

[@jillgott6567]

Great idea to cook with your child. I love the conversations that come from working together, sharing stories and memories I found the cutest frosted Christmas trees at Dollar Tree this year. Small tabletop battery operated I bought the last three at one store and all the others had run out. :( they are adorable as nightlights, holiday decorations, table decor

[@jillmclaughlin6179]

Your boys are getting so big! They are adorable

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀

[@juliemoore6957]

Great ideas!❤

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you!

[@twinnish]

The green beans look so good. Lots of good ideas here but I have gotten a big green beans butter and nut thing going on here lately. The addition of something sweet and the soy sauce along with the Craisins just makes it look that much better. But I’m telling you the green beans butter and toasted almonds are to die for.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Thank you for the video!

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re so welcome!

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

I really liked your message about the food pantries ❤ thanks 👨‍👩‍👧

[@MealsWithMaria]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Mrs.Arado1980]

I love these ideas Maria! I also thought it was cute that your son helped and he’s so interested in cooking 😊

[@Mrs.Arado1980]

Could you use white sauce in place of the red sauce? Also, could you substitute diet sprite for the cupcakes? I can’t have a lot of sugar for health reasons

[@MealsWithMaria]

I’m so glad! I haven’t tried diet soda but google seems to say you can 😀

[@Mrs.Arado1980]

@@MealsWithMaria I’m on it!! Lol

[@tamibathgate2171]

Thank you! Happy Holidays 🌲

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome! You too!

[@melissaconlay8651]

I am making the oyster crackers and cupcakes, but with strawberry cake mix because that’s what I have in my pantry, thanks for the ideas

[@gloriapeel6887]

Dinner looks awesome !

[@reginaniles4003]

Great idea for a cute little casserole

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you!

[@irmaflores9271]

As always Maria you never disappoint! Loved all of these ideas. Will be making those green beans for sure. 😊

[@jlcarter1975]

What a great meal plan.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you!

[@nancycarney]

I love a pretty table. Candles go a long way. Perfect. What a festive meal.

[@wallashakalla]

Huh. I never thought to use chick nuggies for Parmesan chicken casserole! Thanks for the idea! This idea helps with my freezer challenge

[@tammifields4142]

Delicious 😋 dinner idea Maria!! Enjoyed the video.... Happy Holidays!🎄

[@lorraineniess116]

Very nice meal hun...thank you for sharing....Happy Christmas.

[@MealsWithMaria]

You too! You’re welcome!

[@samjones9465]

I also follow Tiffany and think you are both lovely ladies

[@meghanhertzog2426]

Loved all these ideas. Thanks so much for sharing!! ❤❤🎄🎄🌲🤶🌟🌟🎅🎅🎅🤶🌟🌟🧑‍🎄🎄🎄🌲❤❤

[@dmmrad54]

This is so nice. I go to my sisters Christmas day, but these recipes could be for Christmas eve at my house. Great recipes Maria.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yes! Enjoy!

[@wandahall4435]

Great job❤❤❤😮😊😊😊😂😮😮

[@ginas.6656]

That's an awesome spread! So nothing but sprite in the cupcakes, no eggs or oil?.

[@MealsWithMaria]

That’s it! Crazy right?!

[@ginas.6656]

@@MealsWithMaria wow nice

[@autobotdiva9268]

were having bbq chicken legs, string beans, mac n cheese cornbread and stuffing. all low cost! didnt even think about spending $100 for a ham

[@ms.princesskei1681]

Looks yummy 😋

[@daligogh1]

🙏🙏🙏

[@dianeshover1465]

Such GREAT ideas! 🤩👍. Is there a certain reason you use OIL in the seasoned oyster cracker mix INSTEAD of melted butter? ( I’ve never made these before, but maybe butter would even be BETTER?🤷🏻‍♀️🤣🥰)

[@ter8330]

Who is that cute reindeer?? You put out the greatest videos! I just watched Tiffany's video too!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Aw thanks!!!

[@ter8330]

:)) @@MealsWithMaria

[@annmich4593]

❤

[@MealsWithMaria]

❤️❤️❤️

[@nancymcdowell9607]

Not a thing wrong with that!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀❤️❤️

[@thenubalicious]

😷💚

[@jenn9119]

How old are your older boys? They look so close that I was wondering if they're twins?

[@MealsWithMaria]

Haha they are 6 and 8 but my 8 year old is small and my 6 year old is big! My 6 year old is slightly shorter but heavier than my 8 year old and he loves to rub it in 😂

[@tammifields4142]

​@@MealsWithMaria🤗🩵🩵🤗