Holiday traditions can make us feel safe, warm and cozy but they can sometimes (whisper it!) be a little boring. If you’re wondering what to cook this holiday season and how to plan your next gathering, we’ve called in the experts to help. For this edition of our Tastemakers series, we asked the talented foodies, recipe developers and cookbook authors from our Creator Collective to add pizazz, oomph, and a little je ne sais quoi to our tables.

At Hanukkah, blogger Ksenia Prints will mix up your feast with some Middle Eastern-influenced, vegan and healthy options (don’t worry, there are plenty of fried dishes too). Flipboard’s food writer in residence, Bella Bucchiotti, brings the Italian flavor with her collection, which includes everything from an antipasto Christmas tree to home-made nougat. Anne Jolly will take your sweet and savory cranberry dishes to the next level. If you’re looking for a one-and-done menu, check out Camille Styles’ collection, which also includes some decor tips. Cookbook author Rosie Mayes is dishing on how to have a Southern Christmas (think sweet potato muffins, baked ham with pineapple and brown sugar, and Louisiana pralines).

Want to add some traditional Mexican dishes to your celebration? Maggie Unzueta of Mamá Maggie’s Kitchen will teach you how to make many varieties of tamales, pozole and traditional drinks to wash them down. And everyone will love food writer Jay Wadams’ German treats, blogger Stephanie Wilson’s cookie exchange, and cookbook author Maurizio Leo’s sweet and savory breads. Finally, raise a glass with chef Jennifer Allen’s holiday cocktail and mocktail recipes. Cheers to a happy holiday and a joyful New Year, from all at Flipboard.

• All Things Cranberry: Sweet, Savory and Sips by Anne Jolly of Upstate Rambling
  
• Buon Natale: A Feast of Italian Christmas Recipes by Bella Bucchiotti of XOXOBella
  
• The Ultimate Holiday Checklist for a Stress-Free Feast by Camile Styles
  
• In Der Weihnachtsbäckerei: German Christmas Baking by Jay Wadams of Days of Jay
  
• Holiday Cocktails, Mocktails and More! By Jennifer Allen of Cook What You Love
  
• Hanukkah Flavors That’ll Leave You Asking For More by Ksenia Prints of At the Immigrants Table
  
• Tis’ the Season for Bread: Savory and Sweet by Maurizio Leo of The Perfect Loaf
  
• Traditional Mexican Christmas Foods by Maggie Unzueta of Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
  
• My Southern Table by Rosie Mayes of I Heart Recipes
  
• Holiday Cookie Exchange by Stephanie Wilson of 31Daily

For more recipe inspiration this festive season, follow our Holiday Food Magazine, where we collect our favorite ideas for all your end-of-year celebrations. The Recipe Exchange Magazine is the place for delicious recommendations and cooking tips all year round, curated by Flipboard’s foodie community. 

— Aileen Lalor, lifestyle editor, is curating Holiday Central

P.S. If you’re a creator and interested in applying to be a member of Flipboard’s Creator Collective, learn more here.