A special Christmas meal is a great way to enjoy the blessings of the season together with family and friends. I personally prepare my family’s big Christmas meal on Christmas Eve. Part of this tradition comes from experiencing a Christmas meal while living in Poland. They ate at the sighting of the first star. There was a lot of candlelight and a lot of food. The other reason for choosing Christmas Eve is because I felt I was missing out on my children’s Christmas fun because I was stuck in the kitchen all day after presents were opened. I prepare a Christmas breakfast casserole or baked French toast on Christmas Eve while I am preparing all of the other dishes and put it in the oven when we get up on Christmas morning. Then when presents are all opened, we sit down for a delicious breakfast. The rest of the day, we enjoy the leftovers from Christmas Eve dinner.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to plan out details of Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas breakfast, and/or a Christmas day meal. Create a menu or use ListPlanIt’s Christmas Menu Planner*. Don’t forget to include a main dish, side dishes, bread or rolls, drinks, and of course – a dessert (or two)!

* Available as a download in the 100 Days to Christmas 2011 eBook.  Members to ListPlanIt.com can print or download a Christmas Menu Planner in Holidays & Occasions.

When is your big holiday meal? Do you have a special brunch? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and let us know.