Go Local for Help Planning That Christmas Meal

The halls are decked. The tree's glowing. The carolers are singing. And the scrumptious Christmas meal is ...

...is...

Oh yeah. We're going to need a scrumptious Christmas meal.

With everything there is to do around the holidays, it's easy to forget—or just not want to think about—Christmas dinners and desserts. But for the procrastinators, the lazy, the kitchen-impaired and the overhwelmed, there are indeed some fairly fast and festive food options.

For those looking for an entrée from the sea, stop by the seafood counter. The seafood department at  has many types of fish, such as salmon, flounder and cod, which are already filleted. In the department's ready-to-cook section, pick up fish that has already been seasoned and stuffed, such as tilapia stuffed with crab meat, and pre-cooked crab cakes that just need to be heated up.

Just looking to supplement a home-cooked meal with a standout dessert?   will be open on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. until noon. As the shop's name suggests, cupcakes are the star of the menu here, and alongside traditional vanilla/chocolate combinations and specialty cupcakes like Red Velvet are fall and winter flavors; manager Bridget Crowley said that some of the most popular new flavors this holiday season  are White Candy Cane (vanilla cupcake with peppermint buttercream), Chocolate Candy Cane (double chocolate cupcake with chocolate/peppermint buttercream and crushed candy canes), and Gingerbread (gingerbread cupcake with cinnamon cream cheese icing).

 Give the shop a call at 973-377-4422; there will be a selection of treats available for last-minute shoppers.

"There will be a handful of items available on Christmas Eve for walk-ins," Crowley said.

Crowley also noted that the shop's offerings are not limited to cupcakes.

"Our pumpkin cheesecake is wonderful," she said. "And we have mint brownies that are delicious—it's a chocolate chip brownie with mint icing and chocolate ganache."

Looking to avoid cooking altogether? Give  a call. Manager Ralph Erickson said same-day orders are sometimes possible, but ordering two days in advance is preferred. Party meals and party platters are available from the restaurant's catering menu, and orders can be picked up on Christmas Eve between 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.

For holiday meals, Erickson recommends classic holiday stand-bys.

"The shrimp cocktail platter is really popular," he said. "And the prime rib dinner is really good. If you're picking it up on Christmas Eve, but don't want to serve it until Christmas, we'll explain to you how to prepare it and have the chef cook it a little less."

In Hopatcong the 3 in 1 Deli  will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, and has several deals and a variety of offerings.

"Some of our meats and cheeses will be on sale," said sub technician Amanda Baker, "and our 7-inch ham and turkey subs will be on sale."

3 in 1 also offers 16 different pie flavors, but order ahead of time to take advantage of the impressive selection. Some pies will be available to walk-ins, and Baker recommends calling ahead to find out which flavors are still available.

—which has area locations in Denville, Rockaway, Florham Park, Succassnna, West Caldwell, Mount Olive, Sparta and Basking Ridge—is also an option. The Basking Ridge staff says it can provide holiday catering and plenty of options for those looking for pre-made meals and side dishes. Large orders should be placed three days in advance, but you can sneak by with just 24 hours notice for a smaller orders. Panera allows online catering orders as well.

Items from Panera's menu, such as salads, soups and sandwiches, are available to order, as are hot entrée items, such as Steak Chili and Macaroni and Cheese, and cranberry walnut panettone, a special seasonal offering.

On Christmas Eve, there will be plenty available at Panera, even for those who haven't placed orders, the Basking Ridge staff said, but it's best to be an early bird. Panera opens at 6 a.m., and recommends that those who haven't placed orders come in early for the best selection.

Like Panera, Kings Supermarket urges last-minute chefs to come in early on Christmas Eve (Kings opens at 7 a.m.), as it only gets busier as the day goes on, the staff at the supermarket's  said (Kings also has area  supermarkets in , Boonton, Florham Park, Summit, Mendham, Bernardsville,  and ). However, some supermarkets are expecting continuous crowds.

"It's going to be busy all day," said Glen Groschel, assistant manager of in Butler, which will stay open on Christmas Eve until 6 p.m. "There really is no 'good' time to come."

However, Groschel is confident that despite the crowds, everyone will go home with exactly what they want.

"We don't run out of anything," he said.

For suggestions on quick and easy meal ideas, Bob O'Hara, meat manager at , suggests filet mignon.

"Filet mignon is easy," O'Hara said. "We'll have it in our self-service case, and we won't run out of it."

Those looking to pick up some sweet and savory items in one fell swoop can pop into Morristown's , which will be open during regular business hours this week, even on Christmas Eve. The café's December Holiday Menu includes dinner options such as quiche, pumpkin soup and savory scones, and some sugary offerings, such as Bouche de Noel (also referred to as a Yule Log), Sweet Potato Pie, and holiday cookie assortments.

For the perfect end to your holiday meal, front house manager Erin Haas recommends the decadent croissant bread pudding, which should be served warm.

"Our croissant bread pudding is the dessert for the holidays," she said. "It has a crème brulee base and a toffee rum sauce."

So, if you're still procrastinating when it comes to Christmas culinary preparation, there are indeed local options to save you. And, by the way, if you're still procrastinating...what are you waiting for?