Kitchen aromas are at their prime in preparation for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas day dinner. Family and friends are already arriving bringing good cheer and their own traditional contributions for the dinner table. Joyous conversation is accompanied by the occasional eggnog with those who attempt to make it homemade trying to outdo Unka' David's from the year before. After the roasted turkey, six-hand dressing, all the trimmings, Aunt Susie's Green Bean Casserole, Unka' Jim's Rice Medley, Aunt Bunny's Sweet Potato Casserole comes the best part of the meal...perhaps the whole day, the dessert! Along with the celebration of Christmas itself comes one of America's favorite pies, especially during the holiday season.

December 25 is...

http://foodimentary.com/2014/10/12/october-12-is-national-pumpkin-pie-day/

Five Things to Know About Pumpkin

Pumpkin Pie Day celebrates the humble pumpkin pie, one of America’s favorite pies. Pumpkin pie is steeped in holiday tradition. The peak consumption period for pumpkin pie begins at the fall harvest, and lasts all the way through to the Christmas meal and dessert. The pumpkin is a symbol of harvest time and featured also at Halloween.

What's in Pumpkin Pie? The pie consists of a pumpkin-based custard, ranging in color from orange to brown, baked in a single pie shell, rarely with a top crust. The pie is generally flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. This pie is often made from canned pumpkin or packaged pumpkin pie filling (spices included); this is a seasonal product available in bakeries and grocery stores, although it is possible to find year-round.

There are many variations on the pumpkin pie so you have the option to go with the traditional or try something totally new and different.

http://greatideas.people.com/2013/11/25/pumpkin-pie-thanksgiving-dessert-recipe-low-fat-healthy/?crlt.pid=camp.4f3P4SsFC6ux

Pumpkin Pie with Vanilla Whipped Cream (Recipe)

http://www.recipegirl.com/2013/11/19/no-bakedouble-layer-pumpkin-pie/#_a5y_p=1070254

No-Bake Double Layer Pumpkin Pie (Recipe)

http://mammasrecipes.org/recipes/streusel-pumpkin-pie.html

Streusel Pumpkin Pie (Recipe)

Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Pie (Recipe)

http://www.marthastewart.com/349021/pumpkin-pie

Texas Hill Country Spiced Pumpkin Pie (Recipe)

http://www.kraftcanada.com/recipes/maple-pumpkin-pie-138394

Maple Pumpkin Pie (Recipe)

Perhaps you want a much smaller pie...try the mini!

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/impossibly-easy-mini-pumpkin-pies/29854cdf-9068-4bf2-bacc-0696cd74887e

Impossibly Easy Mini Pumpkin Pies (Recipe)

http://www.marthastewart.com/351305/pumpkin-chiffon-pies

Pumpkin Chiffon Pies (Recipe)

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/26875/butternut+pumpkin+pies

Butternut Pumpkin Pie Minis (Recipe)

If you want something totally unique, go for the Pumpkin Pie Cookies!

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pumpkin-pie-cookies/72b93131-b118-455a-a58d-14fd7fa4e643

Pumpkin Pie Cookies (Recipe)

Did you know? There are at least two Christmas songs that sing the
tradition of eating pumpkin pie for the holidays. Those songs are '(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays' and 'Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree'.