Giada's Holiday Handbook

Giada De Laurentiis kicks off the fall and winter holiday season by hosting a chicken and pie party for her friends. Her menu includes Savory Butternut Squash Crostata, Lemony Fried Chicken, Tiramisu Ice Box Tortaand Lambrusco Sangria. Giada asks each friend to bring their favorite homemade pie along with the handwritten recipe, so the table is filled with a variety of fall pies for guests to sample and enjoy as they celebrate the start of the holiday season.

As the host of Thanksgiving dinner, Giada De Laurentiis is ready to pull off a seamless, stress-free holiday meal. She has a step-by-step approach for planning and executing the feast, starting her preparations three days in advance. Giada's make-ahead menu includes Lemon and Pea Alfredo, Sweet and Savory Kale Salad,Prosciutto Wrapped Turkey and, for dessert, Mascarpone Cannoli Cheesecake.

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and that usually means three things: college football, Christmas shopping and Thanksgiving leftovers! Giada De Laurentiis marks the official start of the Christmas season by inviting friends and family over for a few hours of wrapping gifts and enjoying delicious food. Giada's festive holiday buffet includes her clever transformation of Thanksgiving leftovers into dishes like Mashed Potato Zeppole,Antipasti Skewers and Italian Hot Brown Crostini. She also pours Cranberry, Rosemary Juleps to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Giada De Laurentiis gathers her circle of friends for a Christmas cocktail party and "Silly Santa" gift exchange. Each guest brings a wrapped joke gift to swap, and Giada serves an array of holiday appetizers while everyone sings their favorite karaoke tunes. The menu includes Spinach Artichoke Panini Bites, Warm Citrus Marinated Olives, Chocolate Coconut Cake and Burnt Citrus Cocktails.

Giada De Laurentiis and her daughter, Jade, host a Christmas party for Jade and her friends. Giada prepares a batch of holiday cutout sugar cookies that the kids can decorate using a variety of fun toppings and frosting. While they turn their cookies into works of art, the kids nibble and slurp on some other homemade goodies including Brown Butter Krispies, PB and J Tea Sandwiches, Double Chocolate Butter Cookies and Chocolate Citrus Slushies.

In Italy, the night before Christmas is celebrated with the Feast of the Seven Fishes, and Giada De Laurentiis is hosting a family Christmas Eve dinner that honors this tradition. She brings a California vibe to the celebration by serving dinner outside with a view of the ocean, and her menu reflects the setting, too. She prepares a beautiful Red Snapper Puttanesca, Crab and Cherry Tomato Fettuccine, Mini Lobster Rolls and Grilled Clams with Herbed Butter.