Patchwork Meal

Holiday Brunch ~ There is a special, warm-fuzzy about mornings that meet you with a tasty meal and the warmth of your loved ones. Even now, I always look forward to the big, home-cooked breakfasts that Mom (and occasionally, Dad) wakes us up with when we’re home for visits. Brunches are nice for time convenience (not too early, not too late), easy menu possibilities (a bit of brekkie, a bit of lunch), and general enthusiasm for attendance (probably because of the first 2 factors). Even better, there is a wealth of possibilities for saving time by prepping parts of the meal the night before and simply popping them in or on the stove the next morning. You can serve your brunch family-style, with all the fixings being passed around the table, or you can lay it out buffet-style and let the traffic flow take care of itself.

See the following resources for great recipes and ideas for easy brunching:

• AllRecipes.com Make-Ahead Breakfasts
• AllRecipes.com Christmas Breakfast Sausage Casserole
• AllRecipes.com Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
• HGTV Holiday Brunch
• More HGTV Holiday Brunch
• HGTV Incredible Brunches - Tips & Recipes
• HGTV Weekend Brunch Recipes
• Better Homes & Gardens Family Brunch
• Better Homes & Gardens Morning Glories Brunch

Holiday Buffet ~ If dinner or lunch is more suited for you or your guests, a buffet is the easiest way to go. Potluck is my favored method of procuring copious amounts and varieties of food, and guests feel they truly are contributing something to the endeavor. Appetizers and finger foods are easy for most anyone to whip up (my secret is to buy them pre-made and frozen; I just warm them up, and presto! insta-contribution!), and even store-bought comestibles are great for the buffet. If you really feel you need to do a bit of traffic-copping on who brings what (boo! this is about relaxing, remember?), you could assign types of things you need people to bring; however, I find part of the fun is in the surprise of what may appear. See the following spots for buffet tips and pointers:

• MSN Home Advisor’s Last Minute Appetizers
• HGTV Holiday Buffets
• HGTV Holiday Buffet Recipes
• AllRecipes.com Christmas Appetizers
• Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Eve Buffet
• AllRecipes.com Cheese Fondue

Also see these guides for general holiday cooking and party-planning tips:
~ AllRecipes Christmas
~ Better Homes & Gardens Make-Ahead Cooking
~ MSN Home Advisor Holiday Party Planning Guide

Stressbuster Meal Out ~

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