Christmas Eve Meal Planning
Happy Friday afternoon.
It's 2:47 as I start this post. I got up at 5:15 am, wide awake.
Something like this.
It's been raining all day. I had to go out and buy part of my Christmas Eve dinner. That is when we have always opened gifts and gathered as a family. This year, I planned a simple deli meat and cheese platter (dry salami, turkey, ham, swiss, sharp cheddar, and pepper jack) that I am assembling myself, along with potato salad, pasta salad, mini Bagel dogs, prawns, deviled eggs, chicken wings (Sara is bringing the wings), fruit, and hot queso dip with tortilla chips.
I could have just ordered it already made, but a platter over $100? No Way! I can get more meat and cheese for less.
It was difficult since Cassie is a picky eater. I was going to make ham, but she doesn’t like ham. Then I considered turkey, but I don’t feel like dealing with that. It was too hard to find something she would eat. I refuse to get stressed, and fortunately, Sara said she likes Bagel dogs. She only likes chicken breasts - nothing with bones. So I decided on simple deli meats to get fresh from the butcher on Monday. There is something for everybody.
Usually, we have homemade soup, a big pot of chili, Lasagna, or Mexican food. They are all big eaters and love variety. I always try to please, but this time, I was having a hard time. I'm sure it will be fine. It has to be because I'm done.
The town is all lit up with lights -
We're skipping the Garden of Lights this year.
We might go for a drive around town tomorrow evening, taking in all the decorated homes.
Christmas 2019
I didn't make it clear in my last post - Pops wasn’t my dad—he was my husband’s dad—but I loved him and miss him. He was a real character, always finding a way to get into trouble at the Veterans Home. I just wanted to make sure you all knew he wasn’t my dad, who passed away in 2007 at age 75.
I still laugh when I think back on all his shenanigans.
We're heading out to visit Margie and bring her a Hanukkah box of treats. She's my friend who lives in the care facility. I've been so busy I haven't stopped in to visit, and I feel bad about that. We should NEVER get so busy that we lose track of our good friends.
I know I'll have some 'splaining to do!
Or not what's on the table...
With all my planning and shopping for Christmas Eve, I plumb forgot about our dinner. So it will be a "jump for the cupboards" type of meal. Or eggs or something.
We'll live.
Until Next Time,
Debby
Love the snoopy cartoon.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your family a Merry Christmas.
All the best Jan
Snoopy is the best
DeleteI like your cartoons today!
ReplyDeleteI think your meal will be fine. We're changing it up this year too. We usually have a big ham dinner, but this year I'm making lasagna. I can make it the day before and then just pop it in the oven.
I remember you posting about Pops shenanigans. :) I would have loved him!
That's what I should have done - then again I don't believe Cassie doesn't like Lasagna. She doesn't like food that touches - just a lot of peculiar food issues.
DeleteSO. MANY. details at this time of the year!
ReplyDeleteYep!
DeleteOh my gosh! I thought I was the only person to have a deli platter on Christmas day. Well, with fruits and other munchies. I am so glad to know I'm not alone!!
ReplyDeleteNo you're not alone. I can't see being in the kitchen cooking all evening. Plus clean up will be fast. And best of all, leftovers for Christmas Day! They'll all be back to work or at other family for dinner.
DeleteI see I am behind in reading your posts, so will try to go back and catch up. The deli platter idea looks really good to me! We don't do a Christmas Eve dinner here. Rose has to work Christmas Eve, and Scott will be coming down sometime that day hopefully and he will be baking cookies for us...that's always his gift to the family. Hubby and I will go to church for a candlelight service. Our gift opening is Christmas morning with the kids. We are having ham this year, which is fine with me. We've had lasagna the past couple of years and I am looking forward to something different this year. I love the cartoon at the beginning. So funny. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and just enjoy your time together, regardless of what you eat! Yes, it's all about being together, and also all about JESUS!!
ReplyDeleteThat all sounds nice, Pamela. I thought I might do ham but didn't when I found out Cassie doesn't like ham. But, next year it's ham and I'll have them bring something she likes because it was difficult and I was getting frustrated. I've never known anyone so picky about food.
DeleteThe better half of our friends, she is the same way about her food; nothing can touch and she doesn't like her food "mixed" like beef tips and rice or whatever. Anyways, wishing you a lovely Saturday my friend.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny. Yeah there are still grown adults who are still massively picky about foods.
DeleteSounds like your plans are made and they sound good to me. I am easy to please, anything anyone makes is fine as long as I don't have to cook. I would call out for pizza delivery except they are not open on Christmas day. ho ho ho.. love the therapy session and I would fit right in. My friend Eunice, knew what to give me for Christmas. I LOVE BREAD. she made a fresh loaf of bread for me each year. I miss her and the bread.
ReplyDeletePizza always sounds good to me!
DeleteYour "build it yourself" platter looks so tasty!
ReplyDeleteI, too, have tried pleasing everyone's tastes in the past -- not so much now, unless someone has an allergy. Your Pops getting into mischief at the Veterans Home sounds like a hoot. My kind of guy!
This is the first year with Cassie - but yeah I can't do this anymore. Just too many restrictions.
DeleteThe cartoons are great! Everyone bring something for Christmas dinner. We have never had lasagna or deli meats for Christmas. Kids always want Mexican food and that is fine with me. My mom always made a roast with the fixings. Later her daughters made all the sides. Guess we can say it isn't about the food, but it is about family love!
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, I really don't enjoy cooking like I used to! I'd love Mexican food - a roast is good. It will all work out and it will be delicious.
DeleteKeeping things as simple as possible is the right approach. It's the company that is important.
ReplyDeleteI always try to keep things simple.
DeleteLaughed at the cartoons at the beginning. I am so glad I dont have picky eaters. Am doing appetizers and mini subs for Christmas Eve, and Lasagna for Christmas Day. Enjoy time with your family...and I would eat what you planned. ;-) Janice
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a perfect menu!
DeleteI think the idea of a deli platter is an excellent one, Debby. Easy for you and bound to please everyone with a variety of tastes. And as the Peanuts cartoon says, it's not what's under the tree but who's around it that counts!
ReplyDeleteEasy clean up too.
DeleteI love your simple deli platter meal. Its perfect and will be just tasty and stress free. I am all about easy-peasy myself. It really is all about the reason for the season and family together. Enjoy every minute of your days.
ReplyDeleteSue
I'm in the easy peasy stage of life and I'm fine with that.
DeleteThe deli platter sounds like a great idea. Low key is the way to go for me.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Karen!
DeleteI am finding at this stage when it is hot I have little interest in easting and simple is best
ReplyDeleteWhen I cook for a crowd, it stunts my appetite to where I can't eat. I just pick. I always make a plate for myself for the next day. I've always been that way. I sure hope this simpler menu I will be able to enjoy everything.
DeleteFor years I would plan a big meal for Christmas Eve along with the big meal Christmas Day. No longer. Now I purchase a frozen lasagna, make some garlic bread and call the meal done.
ReplyDeleteLove the Charlie Brown cartoon and the sentiment of how it isn't what is under the tree, rather those around it.
God bless.
Sounds good to me. I used to love cooking but not so much anymore. I keep waiting for my culinary mojo to return!
DeleteI love the Christmas therapy. I also think your cheese and meat platter looked terrific!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandie
DeleteGreat cartoons..I'm just now being able to catch up on reading blog post... We are actually having soups this year and would 't you know it, that this is going to be one of the warmest Christmases we have had. It is really hard to find something that everyone enjoys eating. Your meal sounds great to me.
ReplyDeleteI’ve done soup before and it’s always well received. Yeah, I believe it - about the soup and warm weather. Reminds me when we wash the car or the windows, we get rain. ☔️
DeleteYou said potato salad and now I want potato salad. I like mine warm with black olives. So good. Happiest of holidays to you, Debby.
ReplyDelete