Don’t Embarrass Yourself And Bring These Dishes to a Black Christmas Party

Fruitcake, gingerbread cookies and figgy pudding are a few of the food items you shouldn’t bring to our Christmas party.

Christmas parties aren’t like other get-togethers. You have to offer delicious food, while also providing holiday flavors. Typically, there’s a lot more desserts involved, as well as seasonal fruits and pastries that you don’t see at other parties. However, don’t let the nice holiday vibes fool you, there are still plenty of rules when you’re attending a Christmas pary, especially a Black Christmas party. To help you avoid any major mishaps, check out our roundup of the worst foods to bring to a Black Christmas party.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Two alligators bang on a door at a Florida home and social media is going crazy

Fruitcake

If you bring fruitcake to someone’s party, you’re basically telling them that you don’t care about the enjoyment of them or their guests.

Panettone

Photo: Getty Images Richard Lautens/Toronto Star

Panettone is a sweet bread with dried fruits, mostly raisins, that pops up in markets and bakeries this time of year. We’re not here to disparage any particular brand, but it doesn’t have a great shelf life, so if you like it, pick it up early in the season. By mid-December, it’s dry and inedible.

Decorative Christmas Cookies

Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai/WireImage

We’re not trying to land on the naughty list. We don’t have anything against Christmas cookies. However, the ones you often find at the supermarket sometimes taste like they’ve been made for show. The last thing you want to do is bring tasteless, dry cookies to the party.

Gingerbread Cookies

Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai/WireImage

Let’s be honest Gingerbread people are creepy nightmare fuel and should not be on anyone’s table.

Gingerbread House

Just so it’s clear, gingerbread houses are a decoration. They are not for eating. Have you ever in your life had a gingerbread house that tasted good.

Peppermint Desserts

@therosetable

*NEW RECIPE* This Chocolate Peppermint Cake Roll is the perfect Christmas dessert.😍 Get the recipe now on my website. 🎄 #cakeroll #peppermint #peppermintcake #christmascake #christmasdessert #fyp #holidaytiktok

♬ My Kind Of Present – Meghan Trainor

When done properly, peppermint desserts are actually quite good. The issue is that most people don’t know how to use the right amount of peppermint and the dessert becomes more like mouthwash than a sweet treat.

The Wrong Fried Chicken

Screenshot: America’s Test Kitchen

If you buy fried chicken from a market or restaurant, it’s not a big deal. But make sure it’s the market or restaurant the host prefers. Even if it’s your favorite and you know it’s better, you should always defer to the host.

Weird Charcuterie

Photo: Getty Images Gado

Everyone loves a charcuterie board, so don’t be that person who gets the whole party excited, then brings weird meats and cheeses that no one’s ever heard of, or wants to try.

Christmas/Figgy Pudding

Photo: Getty Images Chris Lee/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/Tribune News Service

Steamed Christmas cake is something out of an old-fashioned Dickens-style celebration. It features raisins, figs and other dried fruit, as well as brandy or rum to set it on fire. If you bring this nonsense to our party, you will immediately be asked to leave.

Mac & Cheese

Photo: Getty Images Smith Collection

Obviously, we love mac and cheese. However, unless specifically asked by the host, you don’t bring mac and cheese to a Black gathering. Doing so without permission is seen as a declaration of war.

Turkey, Ham or Roast

Photo: Getty Images Smith Collection

Once again, unless the host specifically requests your help with the main protein, you are doing way too much and will get side-eyed by the other guests.

‘Special’ Deviled Eggs

Photo: Getty Images Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

Black folks love our deviled eggs and we do not appreciate someone messing them up with their “special” additions like relish, raisins or nuts. The only acceptable toppings are bacon or shrimp.

Mulled Wine

@skylinemilia

Mulled wine = christmas in a cup 🎄 and such a good drink to make for large groups of people! There are so many different ways to make it but this has been my go to recipe lately. More seasonal recipes coming soon!!! #mulledwine #seasonalrecipes #holidaydrinks #holidayrecipe #holidayrecipes #wine #christmasdrinks #christmasrecipe #christmasrecipes

♬ Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love

It is totally OK for you to bring a nice bottle of wine or two to the party. Literally no one wants you to warm it up and add cinnamon sticks to it.

Candy Canes

Screenshot: Science Channel

Have you ever seen anyone over the age of eight eat candy canes? No, you haven’t. These are garnishes and decorations, not delicacies. Bringing them to a party tells everyone you were too lazy to even try. You’re better off bringing napkins and cups.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Heartbreaking Story of Hattie McDaniel, The First Black Oscar Winner

Heartbreaking Story of Hattie McDaniel, The First Black Oscar Winner

With the Oscars approaching, we must remember Hattie McDaniel, the first Black Academy Award winner, who was nonetheless disrespected by Hollywood …
Halle Berry's Best Movies, Ranked By Box Office

Halle Berry’s Best Movies, Ranked By Box Office

With Halle Berry’s newest heist film in theaters, let’s take a look at some of her most successful films by the box office! …
Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is <i>Through</i>

Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is Through

As the internet was still reeling from the N-word incident at the 2026 BAFTAs, Google has now unintentionally added more fuel to the fire! Let’s get into it …
Black Leaders React to Trump's State of the Union

Black Leaders React to Trump’s State of the Union

Hakeem Jeffries, Justin J. Pearson, Scott Colom, Mandela Barnes and more Black leaders had plenty of thoughts after Trump’s State of the Union address …
Why J. Cole's "Everyman" Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

Why J. Cole’s “Everyman” Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

​The superstar rapper has been driving around the country selling CDs out of the trunk of his used Honda Civic …
It's Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

It’s Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

Black people have always leaned toward home ownership but the changing housing landscape should have us thinking about other ways to obtaining equity …
Why Black Folks Are <i>Always</i> Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Why Black Folks Are Always Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Black folks are being asked to “turn the other cheek” after the BAFTA scandal, but given the deep history of forcing Black people to submit, the wound is still too fresh …
EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What's at Stake for Black Voters

EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What’s at Stake for Black Voters

The Root spoke to NAACP President Derrick Johnson about why he has “no expectations” for Trump’s State of the Union address …
How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

Following her MAGA events, Nicki Minaj has the Barbz divided with some stuck between sticking beside their Queen or stepping away…for good …
Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Jim Crow laws were in place not that long ago. Even though many photos from that time are in black and white, the history is far from ancient and the remnants are all around us …
Mississippi Black Woman Desegregated High School—Then Faced Terror and Isolation

Mississippi Black Woman Desegregated High School—Then Faced Terror and Isolation

Mary Smith-Blackmon was among the first Black students in a Canton, MIssissippi school and shared what it was like to eperience integration in isolation …
A Look at Trump’s Most Misleading Claims Before His State of the Union Address

A Look at Trump’s Most Misleading Claims Before His State of the Union Address

Before Trump’s State of the Union address, let’s get into all of the false claims he’s made about the country and what’s really at stake for Republicans …
Black and MAGA Folks Angry At Gavin Newsom For Implying Black People Can't Read... But That's Not The Full Story

Black and MAGA Folks Angry At Gavin Newsom For Implying Black People Can’t Read… But That’s Not The Full Story

Gavin Newsom Is Receiving Backlash Online After Telling Black Folks He’s Just Like Them Because He Can’t Read… Except That’s Not What Happened …
Celeb With Tourette Syndrome Speaks Out After N-Word Remark at BAFTAs, But the Internet Isn't Here for It

Celeb With Tourette Syndrome Speaks Out After N-Word Remark at BAFTAs, But the Internet Isn’t Here for It

John Davidson has finally broken his silence about the racist ordeal at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. But what he has to say isn’t landing too well with folks online …
Why This New York Mom Was Forced to Deliver Her Own Baby Alone in a Hospital Bathroom

Why This New York Mom Was Forced to Deliver Her Own Baby Alone in a Hospital Bathroom

Long Island parents are demanding a hospital to take accountability after they delivered their newborn on-site…but in a bathroom …
DMX's Son Shares 'Spiritual' Moment With His Father As He Transitioned

DMX’s Son Shares ‘Spiritual’ Moment With His Father As He Transitioned

DMX’s son Xavier Simmons is opening up about a truly unbelievable moment he shared with his father as he transitioned …
The State of the Union Address Was <i>Not</i> Supposed to Look As It Does Today

The State of the Union Address Was Not Supposed to Look As It Does Today

Which president gave a 10-minute State of the Union address? Which U.S. president came up with the name? What do Obama and Trump’s speeches have in common? …
7 Times Black Folks Almost Became U.S. President

7 Times Black Folks Almost Became U.S. President

Jesse Jackson, Charlene Mitchell and other Black Americans who ran for president …
Gabourey Sidibe's Husband Has Shocking Health Scare

Gabourey Sidibe’s Husband Has Shocking Health Scare

‘Precious’ star Gabourey Sidibe’s husband is facing a startling health challenge and is now sharing where he stands now with fans …
Black Woman Explains Why She Only Dates AI

Black Woman Explains Why She Only Dates AI

A 34-year-old Black woman told a CBS News correspondent that a chatbot has given her the same satisfaction as a relationship with a human being, but eliminates the risk …