Christmas dinner stirs emotions in people, and it means vastly different things to people from different regions and backgrounds. Some Southerners celebrate the holidays with succulent pork roasts, whereas beef prime rib might take the spotlight in other areas. Whether you choose meat, poultry or seafood as the centerpiece of a Christmas dinner, tradition benefits from a light touch and fresh herbs. Cooking lighter brightens flavors and leaves your family and guests feeling the warmth of tradition, without the heaviness that typically accompanies it.

Labor Day marks the end of summer vacation for kids, and the beginning of it for some moms. Sandy feet, sticky hands from melted ice cream and the smell of chlorine soon fades to crunching of feet on fallen leaves and the inviting scents of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Celebrating summer’s last hurrah means firing up the grill. Easy, quick recipes that use the bounty of ripe vegetables and herbs available turn an ordinary meal into a true Labor Day feast.

Preparation and presentation are important in any Mother’s Day brunch, so keep recipes simple to leave time for garnish and decoration. Any brunch benefits from having the hostess sit down with her guests to enjoy the meal, rather than having her slaving away in the kitchen. Do as much work ahead of time as possible so you can focus on those that require last-minute preparation.

Christmas buffet dinners are a welcome relief for some holiday celebrants. Rather than a formal sit-down dinner featuring squirming children and uncomfortable dining room chairs, buffets let people move around and relax a bit. All the Christmas favorites have a place in a Christmas buffet, but need special preparation. In general, buffet foods need to be cut into bite-size pieces, or be fork-tender. Having to cut meats while balancing a plate on your new shantung silk sheath is no fun.