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The final post for 2016 and for the mini-Christmas series is our go-to food list -

Since my memory can be absolutely terrible sometimes :) {especially a year from now when I try to remember exactly what I made}

Christmas Eve Dinner
Italian Beef - prepared by my MIL.
Cheesey Potatoes - recipe coming soon

Christmas Morning Breakfast
Blueberry Muffin French Toast - This is one of my favorites and was featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. A few years ago, I decided I would make this for Christmas morning. To simplify things {because that's always essential around here!}, I make it the day ahead and use a 12"x3" round cake pan. First thing after the kids wake us up Christmas morning, I preheat the oven, place my DIY bake-even cake strips on the outside of the pan, and bake for a little over an hour or until the center is fully cooked.

Christmas Day Brunch
Biscuits and gravy - I was able to make my gravy ahead of time in my new enameled dutch oven {thanks to the Mr. for deciding we should exchange our gifts before Christmas morning!}. For the gravy I used 1 lb of sausage and 1 1/2 batches of the gravy. As for the biscuits (2 1/2 batches), I tried for the first time to make them ahead of time and they turned out pretty good {definitely worth not making them the day of}, but this is something I will not start doing on a typical basis.

Breakfast Pizza and Breakfast Burritos - prepped the day before by the MIL.

Christmas Day Snack
Buffalo Chicken Dip - Bake until bubbly and serve with tortilla chips. I've been using this recipe for YEARS as it was shared with us by a sweet hometown friend shortly after we finished college and started life in the 'real-world'.

Fruit Pizza - prepared by one of my SILs ... I have willpower against over consumption of chocolate, but this stuff, oh dear me, NO WAY!

Christmas Day Dinner {If we still have room in our stomachs by this time}
Dagwood Sandwiches - A quick, easy, and light go to dinner around here. Salami, ham, roast beef, and lettuce on ciabatta rolls. Additional topping options: bacon, avocado, tomato, horseradish, mayo, ranch, mustard, and anything else that suites your fancy.

New Years Eve and Day Snacks
Spinach Artichoke Dip - recipe coming soon
Chipped Beef Sandwiches - recipe coming soon
More Buffalo Chicken Dip

And then a few additional things just to have on hand: granola bars (recipe coming soon) and caramels.

Homemade Dry Shampoo

Well this may be a complete stretch, BUT I decided I am going to include homemade dry shampoo as part of my Mini-Christmas Series. And why you might asked? Because we could all use a little extra time during the Christmas Season and what easier way to do this other than finding a way to stretch the number of days between hair washings! {Please note I didn't not say between showering/bathing days, heehee ... but of course you are welcome to your own interpretation and choice on that matter   ;-p}

I've been wanting to try this for a while now and when my sister shared with me one of the last times we chatted how she just had ... it was all I needed to take the plunge :)

Homemade Dry Shampoo

make-up brush (an old one is just fine)
1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder (baby powder would be another option if on hand)
cocoa powder for tinting (optional)
container (I love using this size of mason jars and these lids would be really convenient)

Place the cornstarch in container. If adding cocoa powder for use on darker hair, I would suggest start by adding 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder at a time until you get the desired color. Use the make-up brush to apply at your roots. Once applied use your fingers, brush or comb to evenly coat if necessary, then take the extra 5-10+ extra minutes to use as you please!

And with that I feel the urge to not only remind myself but all of you also while we all scurry around attending to our own busyness that we will witness so many snapshots of the Christmas season (the Nativity scenes, the Christmas lights, the presents, the family gatherings, the hustle and bustle for the last minute prep) but we must not forget to take time to read the story behind all of those snapshots!

Jesus is the reason for the Season! :)