It’s December 1st, and we all know what that means! The clock is officially ticking! If you’re like we are, the goal is to avoid be unprepared and over scheduled. With a little planning and a few simple strategies we can all glide through the holidays stress-free.

This year, Thanksgiving kind of caught us by surprise. Maybe it was the mild weather, or possibly all of the changes going on in our family these past few months-either way, I just didn’t feel organized. To sidestep a replay of last week, Tess and I are “making lists and checking them twice”. In order to be able to be fully present in the moments that matter the most, we are taking some simple steps proactively.

Our suggestion for a stress-free holiday is planning your menus early, and including make-ahead dishes that ease the pressure in kitchen. Next, make sure you have all of the pieces and parts you need to set a welcoming table. Often, it’s the little things that make the holidays special. So, consider stocking up early on all of the ingredients for Grandma’s Christmas cookie recipe or ordering matching pajamas before they sell out.

A Moments Holiday Checklist

Plan dates for:

assembling make-ahead recipes
cookie baking
holiday grocery shopping
mailing Christmas cards

Compile a to-do list for:

gather serve ware and linens
make a holiday menu
order fresh flowers and garlands
order baked goods
set the holiday table

A Moments Holiday Menu

We prefer to keep our menus simple and simply delicious during the holidays. With this less-is-more approach each part of the meal is truly savored. The following menu sets the scene for an elevated, but comforting, Christmas dinner.

Charcuterie board

Holiday salad

Bouef Bourguignon

Top-Secret Chocolate Mousse

A well protected secret recipe popular at all Parisian dinner parties.

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Course Desserts

Servings 4

Ingredients

3 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
Whipped cream or creme fraiche, for serving (optional)
Chocolate shavings (optional)

Instructions

Melt the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl placed over a small pot of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Remove bowl from water, add the egg yolks, and whisk until smooth.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or in a bowl with a hand mixer, beat the egg whites and a pinch of salt until you have soft peaks. Gradually add 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, beating constantly, until whites are glossy with medium-firm peaks.
Use a spatula to fold 1/4 of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Then fold the remaining whites into the chocolate until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix or deflate the mixture.
Divide mousse among 4 bowls. Cover and chill until set, about 4 hours (and up to 1 day in advance).
when ready to serve, spoon whipped cream over mousse and sprinkle with chocolate shavings.