It’s almost time for holiday meals! Are you ready?

Here’s a wonderful holiday checklist to make sure you’ve got everything covered.

Appetizers? Check. Entrees? Check. Side dishes? Check. Desserts? Well, you get the picture.

Check it out and make sure you don’t forget a thing!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

The guests are coming! The guests are coming!

Overnight guests = lotsa cooking.

And it’s not just the holiday meal we have to prepare for, it’s multiple breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, appetizers, desserts – it’s non-stop eating!

I KNOW it’s not just my family.

So I like to try to be kind to myself and get a game plan ahead of time.

My go-to dinners? Burgers (always easy and always a hit) and Bake & Serve meals like the Roast Chicken with Apple and Tart Cherry you see above.

So tasty – and you just pop them in the oven! Voila! Gourmet!

Check out other tasty Bake & Serve ideas here like Beef Wellington and Chicken Cordon Bleu.

And have a merrier holiday without all the stress!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

It’s time to be festive, right?

So why spend time this holiday season squabbling with cousin Mabel over that $11 she still owes you from 1974?

While that luscious roast is in the oven, here are my top 10 holiday entertaining tips to pass the time with the fam INSTEAD of arguing:

1. Drink wine.
2. Talk about how big the kids are getting.
3. Brag about the 92 Billy got in Home Ec (I believe they call it “Skills For Living” now. :))
4. Drink more wine.
5. Discuss the menu so anticipation can build.
6. Avoid the topic of politics at all costs.
7. Lay out your plans to make 2014 “YOUR YEAR.”
8. Drink some more.
9. Brag about your kids again (no one will remember – see #1, 4 & 8).
10. Be sure to tell your loved ones how happy you are that you are together!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.