We hosted the Christmas festivities this year, something we've never done before. Here's what I learned:

• three pies is excessive for eight people
• calculate serving portions based on the weight of the chicken breasts, not on the number of chicken breasts
• if serving a large breakfast to the assembled masses, reduce the scale of dinner - don't overstuff everyone twice
• hot spiced cider may have been more popular than wine at 4pm
• when menu planning, figure out not only how much of what ingredients to have, but also plan baking times so that you don't end up with a completed side dish that sits on the stove ignored for hours while the main dish cooks
• remember that you only have one oven
• it might be a bit much to expect complete attendance for a Christmas Eve event, a Christmas Morning event and a Christmas Dinner event
• a primary reason everyone wants to attend all the events, regardless of the wisdom of that choice, is to watch the two-and-one-half-year-old experience the first Christmas she's old enough to get that something special is happening - everyone probably would have been happy with less food and more time with Caitlyn opening presents
• minimize leftovers, especially if I'm the one who's supposed to finish off three whole chicken breasts

Happy New Year!