Every year on Christmas morning, my husband and I invite our parents and grandparents to enjoy breakfast with us and our two boys. This gives them the opportunity to see what Santa Claus has left for our boys and fuel up before visiting the rest of the grandchildren. This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions, and I am honored to be able to carry it on. Before my older son was born, this tradition took place at the home of my in-laws. My mother-in-law and father-in-law served breakfast for their parents for years while raising my husband and his siblings. After the birth of their first grandchild, they passed the torch to my husband and me.
I believe this year will make the 10th Christmas breakfast in our home! Let me assure you, I have learned a few lessons to make things easier. If you’re interested in starting your own Christmas breakfast tradition, here are a few guidelines:
First, keep it simple. Don’t try complicated recipes, especially if it’s the first time you’ve made it. I serve a savory breakfast casserole, grits, a sweet coffee cake or danish, and fruit, plus coffee, juice, milk, and water. If you don’t want to cook, purchase bagels or frozen waffles or pancakes. I do use my Christmas dishes just because they are so fun and festive and I love them, but feel free to use paper plates, especially if the dishwasher is not empty.
Second, do what you can ahead of time. The breakfast casserole recipe I use (Paula Deen’s recipes have never let me down!) has to be refrigerated overnight. The last thing you want to be doing on Christmas morning is running around your kitchen, trying to get everything done. Put your kids to work making sure your living room, dining room, and kitchen are straightened up before everyone goes to bed on Christmas Eve. Nobody wants Santa to trip over your stuff, right?
Last, but certainly not least, remember the reason you’re doing this. It’s not to impress people with your culinary skills or your sacrificial sleep-deprivation. It’s to create memories with the people you love. I will never forget the Christmas that Santa left puppies at our house for our son, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather! Also, I have come to realize how life can change in an instant. We are not guaranteed to even have tomorrow, so make the most of the time you have!
Join our Recipe Club to receive a Recipe Card of the Breakfast casserole I serve every Christmas morning!
First, keep it simple. Don’t try complicated recipes, especially if it’s the first time you’ve made it. I serve a savory breakfast casserole, grits, a sweet coffee cake or danish, and fruit, plus coffee, juice, milk, and water. If you don’t want to cook, purchase bagels or frozen waffles or pancakes. I do use my Christmas dishes just because they are so fun and festive and I love them, but feel free to use paper plates, especially if the dishwasher is not empty.
Second, do what you can ahead of time. The breakfast casserole recipe I use (Paula Deen’s recipes have never let me down!) has to be refrigerated overnight. The last thing you want to be doing on Christmas morning is running around your kitchen, trying to get everything done. Put your kids to work making sure your living room, dining room, and kitchen are straightened up before everyone goes to bed on Christmas Eve. Nobody wants Santa to trip over your stuff, right?
Last, but certainly not least, remember the reason you’re doing this. It’s not to impress people with your culinary skills or your sacrificial sleep-deprivation. It’s to create memories with the people you love. I will never forget the Christmas that Santa left puppies at our house for our son, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather! Also, I have come to realize how life can change in an instant. We are not guaranteed to even have tomorrow, so make the most of the time you have!
Join our Recipe Club to receive a Recipe Card of the Breakfast casserole I serve every Christmas morning!
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