Posts: 1,978
6/15/13 3:23 P

I know it's not anywhere near Christmas but it will be here before you know it.

I like to have a buffet brunch with a dinner around 5:00. IF someone else is cooking dinner. A brunch gives you time to clear away the morning gift "mess" and you can involve every able bodied person to cut chop, etc. A Breakfast casserole can be coming to room temp while you're opening presents. A Cool rise bread is in the refrigerator from the night before, ready to bake. A cold fruit salad is in the fancy bowl in the refrigerator. A hot fruit compote (apples, raisins, peaches, blueberries from fresh, canned or frozen with some cinnamon and ginger) is in the crockpot.

Set out some bowls with chopped veggies like tomato, onion, steamed broccoli.
Start one small crock pot with a creamy sauce like hollandaise or a creamy soup.

A tray of sliced cheeses and rolls of ham or beef complete the picture.
Then You make Oats and Eggs while the casserole and bread bake. Size them like small dollar size pancakes.

Guests take an oatcake and top with fresh fruit, compote, or veggies and sauce, or make a ham and cheese sandwich out of the bread. Or put some sides with the breakfast casserole.

Special beverages? Hot apple cider (crock pot), hot chocolate, Orange juice, spiced tea in a punch bowl with clove studed orange slices.
An easy way to handle a special holiday morning meal for a large family.

current weight: 174.0

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Posts: 1,460
12/15/10 9:46 A

I love hearing everyone's traditions! My husband and I are still working on finding ours :)

Posts: 3,257
12/14/10 8:48 A

Christmas lunch this year will be different for us as a family, since it only a few months that our mother went home to be with the Lord. During that time all releative came home so the numbers will be smaller but we will continue the tridition and have lunch at 2:00pn on the day for all who can make it....

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Posts: 7,933
12/12/10 2:57 P

for christmas we did have a big meal at noon . and then sandwhices for the rest of the day . along with pototoe salad . so i make mashed potatoes for noon and we have the cooked ham and the fresh salad through out the day . as we are hungry but as the family spreads and less and less of them come to dinner anymore do not know what this year will bring .

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Posts: 3,039
12/8/10 6:52 P

We do a late lunch early dinner. I make a ham, and sides to go with it. It is very nice and everyone has a chance to come and enjoy snacks. Healthy ones and talk. It really is nice.

Posts: 1,821
12/8/10 11:48 A

Its all my Mother-In-Law. I just take small portions.

Mary

Posts: 243
12/8/10 10:09 A

we have a breakfast casserole of egg, ham and broccoli that is made ahead of time while we open stockings
and then dinner at grandmas, normally it is lasagna

Posts: 1,330
12/8/10 9:16 A

Well, we have had several deaths of the older members of the family. So now when we get together, we are the senior members. A lot of the recipes and meals have been modified. We all need to eat healthier. Less emphasis on drinking too. Maybe a very nice bottle of wine at the most. Everyone gets like half a glass if they want. It has made a big difference and the holidays are more enjoyable.

Posts: 1,460
12/8/10 8:48 A

For Thanksgiving, I usually make a breakfast, and have a late lunch/early dinner. For Christmas, I still have not worked out our 'tradition'. I haven't even decided what to make!
So how do you handle Christmas - just a dinner, a small beforehand? If you do lunch, what do you serve?