What Can You Bring to a Christmas Dinner as a Guest... If You Can't Cook?

Asking your host what works for them on Christmas is your best approach to bringing something, although there are some classics like Christmas flowers which always go down a treat. Hosts juggle enough stress without guessing what you'll turn up with, so checking in advance saves them from managing duplicate desserts or accommodating contributions that clash with their menu plans.

Ah, the universal gift that works everywhere. You can’t go wrong bringing a bunch of lovely Christmas flowers for your host’s table. You could even add a vase in case they don’t have one.

Consider these flowers for Christmas Day:

Amaryllis

Amaryllis is a perfect choice – tall-stemmed flowers that can effortlessly decorate even the busiest of holiday tables, full of serving dishes. Their large, striking blooms in shades of red, white, or cream bring a festive touch while looking refined and modern. Amaryllis in a vase adds a sense of Christmas luxury and instantly brightens the dining room.

Shop amaryllis.

Poinsettia

Another beautiful choice for a holiday gathering is the poinsettia – a timeless symbol of Christmas warmth and joy. Its vibrant red, pink or creamy leaves complement Christmas decorations perfectly, creating a cozy and festive atmosphere. A potted poinsettia also makes a thoughtful gift for your hosts – elegant, long-lasting, and always associated with the magic of the holiday season.

Shop poinsettias.

Carnations

Red, white, and pink carnations work when you can't remember what the host likes. Ruffled petals catch light and create movement on the table. To make carnations feel more Christmassy, pair them with a few sprigs of evergreen, eucalyptus, or even cinnamon sticks and pinecones for a natural festive arrangement.

Check out our carnations.

Freesia

Want something more unique? Freesia is a wonderful and slightly unexpected choice for a Christmas dinner. These delicate flowers bring not only beauty but also an unforgettable scent that can fill the entire room with a soft, elegant fragrance. Their fresh, slightly sweet aroma creates a cozy and welcoming atmosphere — perfect for festive gatherings. Freesias work beautifully in smaller arrangements, scattered among candles or placed in slim vases around the table. Their amazing fragrance will definitely wow Christmas guests.

You can’t go wrong with these freesia bouquets.

Delicious treat that does not require any cooking skills - Christmas cheese platters are also a great gift for a Christmas host. You can make one your self or go for professionally assembled platters. Supermarkets sell pre-assembled boards that look homemade once you transfer everything onto a wooden platter before arriving.

Grapes and currants add colour to cheese boards and give people something to pick at during pre-dinner mingling.

Quality jars of chutney, pickles, or jam sit in cupboards until needed. Hosts appreciate having extras around for unexpected meals or guests.

Lindt, Quality Street, or other luxury chocolates all get devoured.

You can never go wrong with quality chocolates — they’re the easiest, sweetest, and most universally loved gift. If you want to make it a little more special, go for something with a story — like artisan truffles, Belgian pralines, or a local chocolatier’s selection. A mix of dark, milk, and white chocolates keeps everyone happy, and a little handwritten note adds a personal touch.

Want to make it feel more festive? Pair the chocolates with a small bottle of dessert wine or coffee beans, creating a Christmas-themed hamper. You can also order a ready hamper online.

See our flowers with complimentary Lindt chocolates.

Bakeries produce mince pies that won't collapse when cut. Some also sell panettone and fruitcakes that will steal the show.

What about some Chistmas mulled wine? Mulled wine (glühwein) is a fantastic choice for a Christmas dinner — warm, aromatic, and instantly festive. Its blend of red wine, cinnamon, cloves, orange, and a touch of sweetness fills the house with a cozy holiday scent.

Spirits and wines and the like are welcome at most parties, but not everyone can have them. There's no harm in bringing also soft drinks, hot chocolate drinks and non-alcoholic alternatives that anyone can enjoy.

Christmas napkins, napkin rings, place card holders, or table runners come out every December. Your host won't need to worry about storage space or expiry dates.

Tea towels with festive patterns get used during December, and they outlast any food you could bring. Candles are reusable in future gatherings beyond Christmas (but stick to unscented versions to avoid overpowering dinner).

Does the Christmas dinner host have pets? How about including some pet treats?

Hosts with pets appreciate someone remembering the animals exist. A bag of treats or a toy will go down well.

Show up early and ask what needs doing. Chopping vegetables or setting the table helps more than turning up on time with wrapped items nobody asked for.

Do not have cooking skills, but make it up with taking great pictures? Offering to photograph the day is one of the most thoughtful ways to contribute to Christmas when cooking isn’t your thing.

Take proper photos on a decent camera or make the day more fun with an instant camera. If you do take photos, create an album afterwards that everyone can access.

Bring nice reusable containers for leftovers. Hosts often run out of storage options for all the extra food, and yours give them a proper way to send guests home with portions.

Simple, yet amazingly helpful idea many forget when prepping for a Christmas dinner. 

Bringing a board game that’s new, funny, or unexpected can completely change the mood of a Christmas gathering. Skip the classics everyone already has and go for something that sparks laughter or curiosity. Cards Against Humanity is perfect for adult groups who love humor with an edge, while a themed Monopoly (like Monopoly: Christmas Edition or Disney Edition) adds a fun twist to a familiar favorite. You can also volunteer to organize a Christmas trivia. 

Also - score also some extra point by bringing spare charging cables. Houses fill with guests whose phones die during the day. Extra charging points and cables save people from fighting over the one socket in the living room.

Are you staying over? Bringing croissants, pastries, and coffee makes the next morning easier when nobody can face the kitchen again.

Hosts forget whether your cheese board had three varieties or four, but they remember who brought something versus who arrived empty-handed.

Ask what they need when you confirm attendance. If they say not to worry about it, pick flowers or bakery items or drinks that don't need immediate attention. Stop overthinking it, because turning up with anything beats arriving with apologies about forgetting.