7 Spots That Serve Up Ready-Made Christmas Meals

Trade in the stress of holiday cooking with these solutions to a hassle-free Christmas dinner.

Love the idea of gathering around the table for that perfect holiday dinner? Hate the countless hours of prepping, cooking and cleaning that it requires?  Marple Newtown Patch uncovered a host of local resources ready and able to lend a hand with your holiday meal. This year, consider outsourcing some or all of your Christmas feast to get you out of the kitchen and back to friends and family. Note: Check with vendors for any conditions that may apply. Call vendors for specific times when you can pick-up or reserve your meal.

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Slimming Alternatives to the Traditional Christmas Dinner

Food writer Clara Park gets a head start on the inevitable New Year’s resolution to eat better with some tips to help you navigate your way to a healthier Christmas dinner.

Snacks and Appetizers When your guests begin to arrive, set out tortilla chips and salsa or guacamole instead of the usual potato chips and dip. If you can't bear the thought of a dipless party, use thick yogurt (Greek yogurt is a great option) instead of sour cream or mayonnaise when you make it. Think outside of the box and use sliced cucumber rounds instead of crackers for your cheese plate. Dried dates stuffed with whole almonds wrapped in bacon are easy to make and double as high-protein hors d'oeuvres. Place them in the oven on a roasting pan at 400 degrees and bake until bacon is crisp (7-12 minutes, depending on thickness of bacon). Bread and Butter Try to serve whole grain bread or rolls instead of white bread. Place small bowls …

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