It's the most wonderful time of the year and that means twinkling lights, joyful gatherings, and foods that warm both the heart and the belly. Whether you’re hosting your very first Christmas dinner or your annual family feast, JCPenney is here to help you sleigh the 2025 holiday season in style. From decoration ideas to cookware and an easy-peasy chicken pot pie recipe, we’ve got everything you need to host like a pro (and actually enjoy it, too).

Deck the Halls for Holiday Magic

As soon as the season of advent begins, your home should start singing “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” Start with a theme — classic red and gold, elegant silver and white, or cozy cabin chic — and build your décor around it.

Roast with the Most

What’s the point of hosting a party if you can’t enjoy it? So, say goodbye to the stress of cooking over the stove and switch to oil-free fryers and indoor grills that will help you roast that turkey and bake that Christmas chicken pot pie with perfection.

Here’s a classic Christmas recipe that will warm you up:

INGREDIENTS

• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 large shallot (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp. chopped thyme
• ½ cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• 6 oz. carrots (about 4 small or 2 medium), peeled, chopped
• 4 cups coarsely chopped or shredded chicken meat (from 1 small rotisserie chicken)
• 1½ cups frozen pearl onions, thawed
• 1½ cups frozen peas, thawed
• 2 tsp. hot sauce
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp. white wine vinegar
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed in refrigerator)
• 1 large egg (beaten to blend)

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Add shallot and thyme and cook, stirring often, until shallot is translucent and golden, about 4 minutes.

Step 3: Add ½ cup flour and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is pale golden and smells like popcorn, about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Whisk in broth ½-cupful at a time, incorporating completely before adding more. Whisk in cream; season with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thick enough to coat a spoon, about 3 minutes.

Step 6: Reduce heat as needed to maintain a simmer and add carrots; cook until nearly tender, about 5 minutes.

Step 7: Mix in chicken, pearl onions, and peas, then add hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

Step 8: Transfer mixture to a shallow 2-qt. baking dish. Unfold the pastry and gently roll it out on a lightly floured work surface just to smooth any creases and make it large enough to fit over the dish, if needed.

Step 9: Drape over the baking dish and trim the pastry so it is slightly larger than the dish if using puff pastry (you want a little overhang), or crimp dough around the edge of the dish if using pie dough.

Step 10: Brush with egg and make 2 or 3 slits in the pastry with a sharp knife.

Step 11: Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any filling that may drip over) and bake until puff pastry is golden brown, and filling is bubbling through slits in pastry, 20–30 minutes.

Step 12: Reduce oven temperature to 350° and continue to bake until crust is deep golden brown and cooked through, 30–35 minutes longer. Use mitts and pot holders to remove the dish from the oven. Let it sit 10 minutes before serving.

Wrap It All Up with JCPenney

This Christmas, make your home the heart of the holidays. Shop JCPenney for all things—from decorations to cookware, Christmas gifts, and everything you need to host a dinner that’s warm, joyful, and completely unforgettable.

Happy Holidays!