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!
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