For most people, Christmas traditions are important. Every year we put up the tree, hang the ornaments, wrap presents, write greeting cards for friends and family, and watch our favorite Christmas movie. Those are what memories are made of even if the traditions seldom change. Christmas is a time for making memories—memories that will last a lifetime.

The tradition I love most is that big Christmas dinner where families gather to share laughter and love. Growing up, the meal rarely changed and the table was set with Mom’s beautiful Christmas dinnerware all full of the same wonderful food. At the center of the table was her huge honey glazed ham or her golden brown turkey. Surrounding it were all the sides, including her sweet potato casserole, her creamy mashed potatoes, and her green beans and ham. There was her homemade cranberry sauce, and buttery dinner rolls and of course a list of desserts on the buffet that made you want to sample every single one of them.

In this cookbook, I wanted to capture my Mom’s special Christmas recipes. Starting with her scrumptious Christmas morning breakfasts, and moving through those incredible main courses and of course her famous mouth-watering desserts. We called these my Mom’s second helping dishes, because you could not resist going back for more! I hope this cookbook takes you down memory lane and that the recipes transport you back home for Christmas.