The presents are opened, the stockings have been ransacked and everyone's aglow with the spirit of Christmas. Ignore the sea of wrapping paper and tinsel and come together for a relaxing family brunch. If you're heading over to Grandma's house later, this is the perfect time to enjoy being with each other before the events of the day take over.

Alice Waters' Orange Juice will help wake up sleepy eyes and taste buds while the coffee is brewing. The kids can sip Peppermint Hot Chocolate as they admire their new toys and wait for the food to be ready. The Scrambled Eggs with Chives and Sour Cream are easy to make and go perfectly with our Crispy Potato Tart, a modern take on home fries. Whole Wheat Griddle Cakes with Pear Compote are perfectly golden pancakes that are sure to energize you no matter what the day brings. Complete your brunch with a cup of our bright Winter Fruit Salad. It has just a hint of refreshing mint to match the crisp air outside.

Time Saving Tips

No one likes to rush around on Christmas morning, so here are some tips to save you time on each recipe. You can make the tart the day before and just warm it in the oven for about ten minutes at 350°F. The Winter Fruit Salad can be made the night before— leave out the orange juice and mint and add it on Christmas morning. You can even prep the flour mixture for the griddle cakes the night before to save time. If you don't have time to make the pear compote, just top the cakes with some of the fruit salad. Of course, you can always use store bought juice if you don't have time to squeeze it fresh. The whole point of Christmas is to enjoy being with those you love, so go ahead and alter this menu to suit your schedule.

Ease into the holiday with our Christmas Day Brunch:

Alice Waters' Orange Juice
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Scrambled Eggs with Chives and Sour Cream
Crispy Potato Tart
Whole Wheat Griddle Cakes with Pear Compote
Winter Fruit Salad