New Years Day is the day of beginnings. There is so much promise and so much hope for the days to come. We all announce our resolutions for the New Year. Some will come true, others will fall to the wayside for a variety of reasons.
So this auspicious day deserves a celebration that feeds the day’s activities. Some watch football, others spend the day with reflection. Still others curl up in front of the fireplace and read. So many traditions here in the US. New Year’s Day’s traditions from all over the world are incorporated into a family’s events
For me, how we observe New Years Day depends on where I’m at. If I’m in Utah, then the day is spent with family watching a football game. If I have the remote, I enjoy watching the Rose Bowl along with the parade. I have so many memories of watching the floats drive by and the boom of the drums for each band. Scrambling with my brothers and sisters for the candy that at one time was toss to the onlookers from the floats.
If I’m in New Mexico, then the day is filled with football! I never have the chance to grab the remote here so whatever teams the boys are discussing (loudly) is on the schedule. Here we are creating new traditions. So when we welcome in 2023, we’ll have a BBQ (weather permitting) with lots of snacks and drinks. My oldest son can cook! My youngest son is a chef by trade. I gain tons of weight when I’m in NM!
Here are some food ideas:
Breakfast/Brunch
One of the things we like to do is to go out for breakfast/brunch. We usually support IHOP since my son was a cook there for a while a couple of years ago. My favorite thing to eat there is their multi-grain pancakes. Normally this would be a good thing, but when they are unlimited I seem to lose a little control they are sooo delicious.
Applesauce Pancakes – From Ahead Of Time, these pancakes are right up my alley. If you follow the recipe to a tee, you’ll even have applesauce that you make yourself. I’d suggest making the applesauce a couple of days in advance and keep in the fridge. If you are dead set against putting the time in to make it yourself, I would suggest using canned apple pie filling. Doesn’t have the love, but still good.
Egg Muffins – Another entry from Ahead of Time for both breakfast and brunch! Easily transported from serving plate to eating plate. Good finger food!
Ham and Cheese Squares – Easy to make. Start the night before for the ingredients to absorb the moisture from the eggs, cut into squares and voila! breakfast or lunch resolved!
Skillet Cinnamon Rolls – A bruch isn’t quite finished without the sweetness of a cinnamon roll. They simply melt in your mouth and get your tastebuds yearning for more! I do suggest bookmarking Ahead of Time. They have some amazing recipes!
Lunch/Dinner
Lunch/Dinner can be interchangeable with what is served. These days a buffet with previously made creations is what I tend to put together. Guests are asked to bring a dish. Sometimes the buffets would be themed, such as Tailgate Party or Breakfast Bundles (each dish must contain a bundle of something, like a filled donut with cinnamon sugar glaze inside and out). If you are serving during a game, the finger food is your go-to.
Finger Food Suggestions – Sometimes, I run out of ideas of what to serve during a game or party. I totally recommend buffet-style. Saves on trips to the kitchen by the hostess. So, this time I went to the experts at We Are The Party. These wonderful foodies have created a list of 12 of the best finger foods to serve.
Dinner Suggestions – This year I found an amazing collection of recipes surrounding New Years Day. These recipes however can be used for ANY celebration. One way to make the dinner epic is to serve a fine wine, and also, don’t skimp on the ingredients. Determine the “star” of the show and make it the star with higher grade ingredients.
The bottom line for all of these celebrations idea is to create memories with food. It’s never too late to begin. The recipes you follow don’t need to be extravagant. Keep inside your budget, or save for a special event such as the Super Bowl, a wedding, or Christmas.
I hope you have enjoyed perusing the recipes here. I’ve include many lower cost recipes that I have either created myself, came from my late husband and even my mom. When I make the recipes, it always bring to mind who showed me the recipe and gives a warm remembrance of those who have passed. A joyful thing.
