The Magic of a Make-Ahead Christmas

Chers Amis,

Pippin asks me constantly, "How many days until Christmas, Mom? What day is it today? When will Christmas be tomorrow? Oh, and what is for lunch?"

He is my personal reminder that some things are closer than they appear and they usually entail food - and shopping. Luckily, I love to cook, especially at the holidays. I am my holiday happiest in my thread-bare William Sonoma apron, lightly-dusted with flour, chocolate smears on my cheeks, and warm promises of buttery decadence wafting from the oven. Oh, yeah, there is also my non-existent counter space towering with batter encrusted bowls. Hmm, I don't really like the clean-up part, but preparation is fun :-)

This afternoon, the kids and I will be trekking over to Kroger for (hopefully) our last grocery run before the Red and the Green. Shopping is always an adventure. Pippin wanders constantly and I have to threaten to take away his Lego.com time every minute or two. He rarely returns home with any Internet "credits" to his name. Stopping in the tiny toy section across from the coffee display is de rigeur for all three. They each make a selection that they shlep around the store for the next 45 mins before depositing them cheerfully at the register to be returned to the shelves. Usually it is a mini-Etch-a-Sketch or a stretchy lizard. The worst are the squeaky dog toys and Pippin's favorite - the whoopie cushion. We are not the quietest shoppers - but the kidlets are happy!

So, what are you all serving Christmas day? What's for breakfast chez vous? Over the years I have found that the more I can make ahead, the more magical the morning. This is what I have planned as of now:
Breakfast:
Coffee, cocoa (Ovaltine), assorted juices
Chocolate Chip Scones
and
Cheddar, Vegetable and Sausage Strata

We also love Blueberry and Pecan French Toast. All three can be made totally ahead of time, stowed in the fridge so all I have to do that bleary-eyed morning is pop it in the oven and enjoy the aroma. My kind of breakfast!

Instead of having a big diner a la dinde (turkey) or ham, we have opted for heavy hors d'oeuvres:
cheese, fruit, nuts, crackers
herb bread rolls
Lemon-Rosemary Chicken Skewers
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
deviled eggs
turkey and ham wrap pinwheels
assorted cookies
chocolates
good wine

Most of this can be made Sunday so Christmas will be tasty and relatively care free. Bon Appetit! We are off to shop. Wish me luck!

-- Marjorie