Christmas morning should be a time to enjoy your family and prepare for the day ahead. When you have little children in your home the day starts early and everyone is excited. This simple breakfast starter of homemade cranberry juice and grapefruit with cherries is an excellent way to begin a new Christmas tradition and start of Christmas right.

Fresh Cranberry Juice

1 Pint Cranberries
2 Cups Water
1/3 Cup Sugar
1 Tbs Lemon Juice
Slice of lemon as a garnish

Cook the cranberries in water for approximately 5 minutes until the skins split open. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or fine strainer.

Place the juice in a pan and bring to a boil then add the sugar. Cook for 2 minutes remove from heat and cool. Add the lemon juice.

Cool thoroughly and serve with a lemon garnish.

Fresh Slice Grapefruit and Maraschino Cherries

Pink or Yellow Grapefruit, fruit for each person
Brown Sugar
Maraschino Cherries, sliced in half

Slice each grapefruit in half and remove all the seeds. Loosen the fruit from the peel, being careful to leave the flesh inside the peel.

Sprinkle the tops of each grapefruit with brown sugar. Lay on top of the brown sugar 3-4 maraschino cherry halves.

Place the grapefruit, still in the skin, under the broiler for 8-10 minutes or until the brown sugar begins to bubble. Serve immediately.