Christmas is less than a week away. Wow! It seems like it comes faster and faster each year. That’s because we are busier and busier each year, I think. We rush from one task to the next, from one event to the next. On Christmas morning, we need to slow down. Take the time to enjoy the celebration of Christmas. Whether you observe Christmas as a religious holiday or as a commercial holiday, it’s a time to be with family and friends. A time to tell people how much they mean to you.

In many families, mine included, Christmas breakfast is a special time. The kids get up early to see what Santa brought for them. Mom and Dad get to bask in their joy and delight of their gifts. There is wrapping paper everywhere and empty boxes piled on every surface. Often while the kids are playing with their toys and one parent supervises the fights, the other parent is trying to get Christmas breakfast started.

Don’t forget to buy some fresh fruit to serve with each of these dishes. Add a little garnish to each serving and you will have a picture perfect Christmas breakfast!

The solution to that is to start Christmas breakfast the night before. While the kids watch the last of the Christmas specials on TV, whip up a wonderful Christmas breakfast that you can put together quickly when it’s time to eat.

The first recipe is an asparagus potato omelet. You lightly cook the onion, basil, ham and potatoes. This can be done the night before and stored in the fridge. The morning of, you just whip the eggs and arrange everything in the pan and cook it for about 11-12 minutes, cut it into wedges and you’re done. Put a sprig of basil on top of each slice for a little added eye appeal.

The second recipe is one of my daughter’s favorite foods from childhood. Monkey Bread. You can make this the night before if you like. But, once the kids are bored with opening presents, this is something that you can let them create while you enjoy another cup of coffee! Besides, who can resist cinnamon and nuts?

The third recipe will become a family favorite. It’s delicious and smells wonderful. Cook and crumble the bacon the day before, also chop the veggies ahead and store in zip top bags. It will take about 10 minutes to put together but will be well worth it. This is something that can be added to a breakfast or brunch spread and can be eaten on the run.

The last recipe is decadent! What is a special breakfast without cinnamon rolls? Most of the work is done the night before. You use bread dough, but you buy it at the market, you don’t have to make it yourself. Once you put it together, cover it and put it in the refrigerator until morning. While the oven is heating, you finish it off. It take about 10 minutes to get it ready but think about how your kitchen will smell while it’s baking! That will earn you lots of brownie points!

Asparagus-Potato Brunch Omelet

Ingredients:

1 Cup Onion, chopped

1/2 Teaspoon Basil, crushed

2 Teaspoons Oil

1 Cup Ham, diced, cooked