We here in the Southern Hemisphere might not have eggnog, yule logs and a giant roast turkey as part of our traditional fare, but we certainly know how to host a delicious Festive Feast none the less.

Let’s step out of our comfort zones of a braai or a roast leg of lamb and invite some fresh flavours into our festive menus.

Here are some fun new Christmas lunch ideas, and see if you can spot the twist on old favourites.

Seasonal Starters and Snacks

Boursin and Roast Veg Croissant Wreath

This starter or snack from Olive Magazine will look like a million bucks as part of your festive centrepiece. And, fortunately, it tastes as good as it looks. Boursin is a high-fat soft cheese with garlic and mixed herbs which compliments most savoury dishes so well. Woolies has you covered if you can’t find it at your usual cheese spot.  It’s also packed with veggies, without detracting from the gorgeous flavours that the cheese and cranberry sauce adds. Substitute the cranberry sauce for some onion marmalade.

Turkey, Cranberry and Brie Rolls

Rather than pulling out the ol’ sausage rolls as part of your snack tray or even as a starter, introduce the delicious pairing of turkey, cranberry and brie. It’s what we know and love but a little bit elevated. My Fussy Eater has quite a few other snacks you should consider. Green fig preserve goes well with recipe if you can’t manage cranberry.

Merry Main Courses

Christmas Baked Salmon

This easy but endlessly impressive main course takes our pick for a fun Christmas lunch or dinner. Recipe Tin Eats has gone all out! Picture this: honey garlic butter for baking the salmon. Cover in a creamy dill sauce. Top with a cranberry, almond, and parsley tapenade. Finish with lemon and pomegranate. How could you pass up something so fantastically festive and flavourful? You can’t. You can also substitute the dried cranberries in the tapenade for raisins.

Vegan Mushroom Wellington

Give your vegans and vegetarians the best Christmas gift with an actually delectable main, rather than the same salad they are forced to eat each year. Delicious Every Day proposes you use portobello mushrooms, but you can always just use your favourite variety if you wish. Swiss chard, though more widely available here in South Africa, should only be used as a substitute for baby spinach if you have no other choice. The consistency of baby spinach just compliments this dish more than Swiss chard.

Better-Than-Presents Desserts

Caramel Peppermint Crisp Mousse Cake

We know how you feel about peppermint crisp tart. We all feel that way. So, we wouldn’t even dream of denying you the treat you love. This mousse cake from The Kate Tin takes our traditional favourite and makes it display worthy. It’s probably a good idea to make two of these – we promise there won’t be any leftovers.

Gingerbread cheesecake

This is our only real nod to “winter” flavours. Christmas is so eponymous with everything to do with cold weather and warm treats. An African Christmas doesn’t need any more warming, but that doesn’t mean we don’t absolutely adore these little gingerbread outjies. The Suburban Soap Box has made this recipe easy to follow and visually appealing. You can even get the little ones to help bake the gingerbread men beforehand for a bit of festive spirit.