Christmas Favorites: The Food

One of my favorite holiday elements is (what else?) the food. For some reason, I feel that it's a free pass to all of the indulgences that I may not necessarily afford myself all year long. Christmas cookies, egg nog, hors d'oeuvres galore. Perhaps it's just the food-obsessed Italian side of the family, but Christmas Eve is the big night (Shaun's family does Christmas Day, so all works out perfectly) and as in any Italian family it means hours upon hours of eating - from dips to wings to brie to beef tenderloin to cookies and cupcakes. By the time the evening ends, I'm on the verge of a food coma, barely mobile, yet still look forward to my annual breakfast strata on Christmas morning. And let's not forget about the prep that goes into such a feast...here's a peek at Christmases passed...

icing the famous butter cookies

Kimmi taking over

A little wine for the chefs...Jacque & Julia would be so proud

enjoying the goods

So how do you get your party on for Christmas? Is it a two day affair, utilizing both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Is food the main attraction? How do you celebrate with your family? And, most importantly, what's your favorite indulgence of the holidays?