Ready or not, the holiday entertaining season is upon us! Whether you’re a natural and pull off parties with ease or find yourself pacing and making numerous to-do lists, we’ve got all the help you need to pull off a stress-free and festive brunch this year! First thing’s first: you’re going to need coffee. If you’ve got a pesky aunt, challenging in-laws or a house full of kids, you’re going to need a lot of coffee. Enter the Cuisinart Coffee Center, a true brunch savior: you can make a big 12-cup pot to get everyone going, but you can also take advantage of the single-brew function to fuel yourself as you prep in the morning.

A Simple Brunch Spread

Now that everyone’s adequately caffeinated and milling about, what’s on tap for the food? This year we’re all about reheating make-ahead recipes that we tackled in advance; who wants to actually cook while trying to chat with family and friends? Looking for inspiration? Here’s a few of our favorite make-ahead brunch recipes:

Keep the Kids Occupied

While all of the adults are sitting down with a slice of quiche and a cup of coffee, we’re big fans of corralling the kids. Setting up a separate area for them with easy cold cuts and fruit helps keep them busy for at least a little while – the most anyone can ask for, really.

Post-Brunch Hangs

After brunch, guests will typically cozy up and linger, and this is a great time to offer a little pick-me-up with an individually brewed cup of coffee. Whether your guests are feeling like a light roast or cup of decaf, you can accommodate everyone easily with the touch of a button! And of course, The Coffee Center isn’t a bad gift to give (and to get) — so if treating yourself or a good friend is in the cards this year, this is a fine place to land.