Some years back when my mother was still with us and holding the reins on holiday dinners, she decided that Thanksgiving would be the usual turkey and dressing, Easter would be ham, and Christmas would be a pot luck dinner, leaving more time for everyone, including her, to enjoy Christmas rather than being stuck in the kitchen. Everyone brings something different, but Mom always provided a few 'standards' - Chinese salad and a cherry salad that she always made - and we still make sure those dishes are present on the table every year.