We spend so much time during the holidays focusing on the meals – turkeys, hams, green beans – but let’s not forget the all-important dessert!

I love to have a variety of desserts to offer, not only because I will eat EVERY ONE of them, but because they are beautiful and everyone likes something different.

Some of my favorites are little holiday cheesecake bites (eat one or five – I won’t tell!), beautiful Buche de Noel (a timeless classic), and decadent chocolate macaroons.

What a gorgeous array these make! Seriously, just looking at these delicious desserts is almost as fun as eating them.

Almost.

What are YOUR favorite holiday desserts?

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

People are coming! People are coming!

Do those words strike fear in your soul?

Don’t fret. Plan!

Holiday time, while joyous, brings an enormous amount of stress. Especially if YOU are the host.

That’s why planning ahead is so important.

1. Plan a menu now, taking into account who is coming, their dietary needs and preferences, and the time you’ll have to commit to cooking.
2. Appetizers are important. I like to offer little bacon and cheddar sliders or lobster flatbread to satisfy appetites while I’m finishing up the main course. Nothing worse than grumpy, waiting guests. Plus, if for some reason a guest doesn’t dig the turkey you’re cooking there are other options to fill them up if needed.
3. Grill or broil a few steaks to have on hand. Why? See #2. There may be guests who are too shy to share their taste preferences with you. You won’t know until you see them fake-nibbling off a virtually empty plate at dinnertime. If no one partakes of the gorgeous steaks, they WILL be eaten. Think of the bazillion mealtimes ahead with overnight guests.

What are YOUR favorite plan-ahead strategies to reduce stress during the holidays?

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

One more day and it’s time to feast!

Is your turkey thawing?

Are your side dishes prepped?

Dishes sparkling?

Serving utensils locked and loaded?

Napkins clean and folded?

It’s time to set the alarm and put that turkey in in the morning!

Did you go with a Chateaubriand this year? Prime rib roast?

As I mentioned, I’m serving a traditional turkey with a side of spiral ham – among other things.

My hubby always requests macaroni and cheese so that’s on the menu, too. Oh, and cranberry sauce for my dad, mashed potatoes for me, mushrooms for Mom, and more bread than a freightliner could hold for my boys. They can put away some bread.

The one thing we ALL have on the menu? Thankfulness.

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.