Christmas Dinner Shopping List: What to Buy for 8 People

Updated October 19, 2026

A good Christmas dinner starts in the store, not the kitchen. Forget the gravy once and you will be standing in a checkout line on December 24th for a jar that costs twice as much. This list covers a classic American Christmas dinner for 8 adults, grouped by store section, with quantities worked out so you buy enough without a fridge full of leftovers.

In short: below you will find the full list, how much to buy per person, a four-week shopping timeline, and a button to put the whole list on your phone. Check off what you already have first, then shop.

Add this list to your phone

Talklist keeps your list sorted by category as you shop, lets you check items off, and lets you share it with whoever else is shopping. You can also add anything missing by saying it out loud: "pickles, two boxes of crackers and a pack of paper plates".

The Christmas dinner shopping list

Quantities are approximate and start at 8 people; change the number above and they update. Items marked (optional) are nice to have, not essential. Pick one main: the list starts with a whole turkey. If you would rather serve ham, tick the ham and untick the turkey.

Meat and seafood

Turkey, 12 lb
Spiral-sliced ham, 8 lb (optional)
Bacon, 1 lb
Breakfast sausage (for stuffing), 1 lb
Shrimp, 2 lb (optional)

Fruit and vegetables

Russet potatoes, 5 lb
Sweet potatoes, 3 lb
Green beans, 2 lb
Brussels sprouts, 2 lb
Carrots, 2 lb
Yellow onions, 3
Celery, 1 bunch
Garlic, 2 heads
Mushrooms, 1 lb
Lemons, 2
Clementines, 3 lb
Salad greens, 2 bags
Fresh cranberries, 12 oz (optional)
Apples (for pie), 4 lb (optional)
Sage, 1 pack
Thyme, 1 pack
Rosemary, 1 pack
Parsley, 1 bunch

Dairy and eggs

Butter, 2 lb
Heavy cream, 1 pt
Milk, 1 gal
Eggs, 12
Sour cream, 16 oz
Sharp cheddar, 8 oz
Cream cheese, 8 oz (optional)
Brie, 8 oz (optional)

Bakery

Dinner rolls, 24
Pies (apple, pumpkin or pecan), 2
Christmas cookies, 1 dozen (optional)

Pantry

Cranberry sauce, 2 cans
Chicken broth, 64 oz
Gravy, 2 jars
Stuffing mix, 2 boxes
Cream of mushroom soup, 2 cans
Crispy fried onions, 6 oz
Brown sugar, 1 lb
Pecans, 8 oz (optional)
Mini marshmallows, 10 oz (optional)
Olive oil, 1 bottle
Coffee, 12 oz
Tea, 1 box (optional)

Frozen

Whipped topping, 8 oz
Vanilla ice cream, 1/2 gal (optional)

Drinks

Red wine, 2 bottles
White wine, 2 bottles
Sparkling wine, 2 bottles
Beer, 12 bottles (optional)
Eggnog, 1 qt
Sparkling cider, 2 bottles (optional)
Apple cider, 1 gal (optional)
Soda, 12 cans
Sparkling water, 6 bottles

Snacks

Crackers, 2 boxes
Mixed nuts, 1 lb
Chips, 2 bags
Dip, 2
Candy canes, 1 box (optional)
Chocolate, 1 box (optional)

Household

Aluminum foil, 1 roll
Parchment paper, 1 roll
Paper towels, 2 rolls
Napkins, 1 pack
Trash bags, 1 box
Zip-top bags, 1 box
Dish soap, 1
Disposable roasting pan, 1 (optional)

Ready to shop? Add the list to your phone

How much to buy per person

If you are cooking for a different number, scale the list with these rough guides:

Turkey: 1 to 1.5 lb of whole bone-in bird per person. A 12 lb turkey feeds 8 with leftovers.
Ham: about 3/4 lb of bone-in ham per person (a bit less for boneless). An 8 lb spiral ham serves around 10.
Mashed potatoes: 1/2 to 3/4 lb of russets per person.
Sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, Brussels sprouts: about 1/4 lb of each per person.
Dinner rolls: 2 to 3 per person.
Stuffing: one box serves about 4 to 6, so two boxes for 8.
Gravy: about 1/3 cup per person.
Pie: one slice per person, so one 9-inch pie serves 8 and two give you choice and seconds.
Wine: one bottle for every two adults at the table, plus fizz for the toast.

Expecting big appetites, or sandwiches for days? Round up on the turkey and the potatoes. Everything else is easy to stretch.

A shopping timeline

Spreading the shop over a few weeks keeps December calmer and the lines shorter.

Three to four weeks before. Buy anything that keeps: drinks, pantry items, snacks, paper goods. Buy a frozen turkey now, or reserve a fresh one. If you pick up groceries or have them delivered, book your time slot early.
One to two weeks before. Buy the other frozen items and check you have room in the fridge and freezer. Butter and hard cheeses can be bought now.
Three to four days before. Buy fresh vegetables, herbs, fruit and rolls. If your turkey is frozen, plan to thaw it in the refrigerator: allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 lb, so a 12 lb bird needs around three days. Check the label on yours.
December 23rd and 24th. A short top-up only: milk, cream, rolls and anything that has run out. Check your store's holiday hours before you go.

Tips for a calmer Christmas shop

Check before you buy. Look in your pantry, fridge and freezer first and uncheck whatever you already have.
Shop by section. A list sorted by category means you walk the store once, not three times.
Share the job. Send the list to whoever is helping so you do not both buy cranberry sauce and nobody buys the gravy.
Plan one leftovers meal. Turkey sandwiches, soup or a casserole the next day use up what is left and stop the waste.
Do not overbuy snacks and drinks. They keep, so a small top-up beats a big pile.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for Christmas dinner per person? A good rule of thumb is 1 to 1.5 lb of whole bone-in turkey per person (or about 3/4 lb of bone-in ham), 1/2 to 3/4 lb of potatoes, about 1/4 lb of each other vegetable, 3 dinner rolls, and one slice of pie. This list is sized for 8 adults with some leftovers.

What should be on a Christmas dinner shopping list? The main roast (turkey or ham), potatoes and vegetables, the sides (stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, rolls), dessert, drinks, snacks for before dinner, and the household items people forget, such as foil, paper towels and trash bags.

When should I start shopping for Christmas dinner? Buy pantry items, drinks and a frozen turkey three to four weeks ahead, other frozen items one to two weeks ahead, and fresh vegetables, dairy and rolls in the last three or four days.

How do I avoid wasting food at Christmas? Check your fridge, freezer and pantry before you shop, buy to the quantities on your list, add optional extras only if you will really eat them, and plan one leftovers meal for the day after.

Make it your own

This list is a starting point. Swap the turkey for ham or prime rib, drop the optional items, or add your family's must-haves. Put it into Talklist once, edit it there, and share the link, and everyone shops from the same list.