Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, on your way to a casual open house or hosting friends for an extravagant New Years Eve dinner, preparing a mouthwatering dish is a must. What to bring? You could go with your old reliable fruit cake, but that’s gotten stale over the years, and everyone is bringing candy-cane-and-hershey-kisses-something. This season, try something new and give people a reason to wish they got you a better gift in the process by whipping up one of these five dishes.

For Thanksgiving

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

Ron Duprat’s Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

Soups on. Get your Thanksgiving feast started in delicious fashion by serving former Top Chef contestant and Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina executive chef Ron Duprat’s famous Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup. Get the recipe.

Farmers Market Cornbread

Farmers Market Cornbread from Chef Stacey Isaacs of theresacookinmykitchen.com

Chef Stacey Isaacs of theresacookinmykitchen.com is a trained chef who loves simple, delicious recipes, but even she admits she’s not the world’s greatest baker. Her Farmers Market Cornbread recipe is easy to make and is the perfect compliment to turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Get the recipe.

For Hanukkah

Latkes: Jewish Potato & Zucchini Fritters

Arousingappetites.com’s latke recipe uses panko breadcrumbs instead of matzo meal for a lighter, less oil-dense flavor.

When Hanukkah rolls around, latkes get gobbled up like chips and salsa during the Super Bowl. This recipe from arousingappetites.com uses panko breadcrumbs instead of matzo meal for a lighter, less oil-dense flavor. Get the recipe.

For Cocktail Hour or an Open House

Crispy Skellig Sweet Cheddar and Parmesan Asparagus Spears With Lemon Aioli Dip

Chef Clodagh McKenna’s Crispy Skellig Sweet Cheddar and Parmesan Asparagus Spears With Lemon Aioli Dip credit: clodagh mckenna

Chef Clodagh McKenna, the Rachel Ray of Ireland, proves Irish cuisine isn’t just for March 17. This cheesy recipe pairs perfectly with your adult beverage of choice and is a great hors d’oeuvres for a cocktail hour or open house. Get the recipe.

For Christmas Morning Brunch

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Mandy Kellogg Rye of Waiting on Martha credit: waiting on martha

Mandy Kellogg Rye of Waiting on Martha combines brunch’s best ingredients, cheese, potatoes and pepper, for a Christmas morning brunch that might trump even gift opening. Make it the night before and enjoy with the family before heading to grandma’s house. Get the recipe.

For New Year’s Eve

Prime Rib Roast with Salsa Verde and Red Bliss Potatoes

Prime Rib Roast with Salsa Verde and Red Bliss Potatoes credit: tabasco

Bid adieu to 2015 with an unforgettable meal. Created by Chef Gabe Thompson of Dell’anima, L’Artusi, L’Apicio and Alta Linea in New York City, Prime Rib Roast with Salsa Verde and Red Bliss Potatoes, will wow everyone’s tastebuds. Get the recipe.