Christmas Menu

(not my table, but isn't it pretty?)
Now that I have officially declared it Christmas in this house, I decided to plan my menu. There'll be a full house for Christmas dinner so I want time to tweak and finalize, not rush and throw together. I'm anticipating at least 20 people, so do you see why I need to plan now? This is my menu so far:

Appetizers: Bacon crisps, stuffed mushrooms and eggnog
Main course: Ham, asparagus bundles, mashed potatoes with ham gravy (on the side of course,) cauliflower gratin and orange segments with olive oil and black pepper.
Dessert: Various cookies and a birthday cake for Jesus

My mother always baked a cake for Jesus' birthday. A simple reminder of what we're really celebrating. It was always a white cake with white icing to symbolize the purest Light which came into the world. Why not start that tradition in your home?

Now, about the eggnog. I used to always make my own. My Paula Deen recipe is excellent. The only thing I changed was the alcohol. I always used Cap't Morgan Spiced Rum. And really, it's delicious, but time consuming. The other day at the grocery store I found this: And for as good as it is, it's worth it's weight in gold. Buy a few cartons, pour them into a punch bowl and call it a day! You can add some more Southern Comfort, I'm sure. But with all the wine that normally flows through this house on Christmas, it's really not that necessary. Plus the kiddos can have some.

Please share your Christmas traditions. It's never too late to start a new one.

Edited to add: My mom sent me this email this morning and I thought I would share it with you. I honestly don't remember always using a chocolate cake...but maybe we did (and do) and my memory is slipping!

Julie, This is how you should do a Jesus B/D cake. If you remember I had 3 angels (my children) And always the red candles. I never had a star, but that is a good one to add.

Love, Mommy

Round Cake: Make a round cake to represent that Jesus' love has no end.

He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. (John 3:16)

Cake Flavor: The cake should be chocolate or a dark color to show the sins of the world.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom 3:23

White Frosting: The white frosting symbolizes Jesus' purity and how He washes away all our sin white as son. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

Angel Decoration: Use an angel to represent the bearer of the good tidings, or good news of Jesus' birth and that we can continue to bring that good news to others.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10-11

Star Decoration: A star on the cake represents the Star of Bethlehem that led the wisemen to Jesus.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the eastwent ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:1-2, 9-10

Candles: Place twelve red candles on the cake to remind us of the blood that Jesus shed as to forgive our sins, twelve months of the year. Lighting the candles reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.

Blessing of the day: I'm blessed because I have parents who taught me the true meaning of Christmas!