Instructions: Your overnight holiday guests will soon be arriving. You love your family and friends, but the thought of being a short-order breakfast cook for a house full of company is already making you tired.

If you could just sleep in or visit with loved ones over a leisurely cup of morning coffee. ...

Uncle Ted and Aunt Martha wake up at 5 a.m., while your friend Julie sleeps until 10 a.m., and your cousins, who stay up all night talking, may crawl out of bed sometime before noon.

Have you thought about planning ahead for a self-serve breakfast buffet so you could enjoy a few relaxing, stress-free holiday mornings with your family and your overnight house guests?

Here are some tips to help you get started.

Before you go to bed, set up a special breakfast buffet area with plates, silverware, glasses and cups (use paper and plastic for easier cleanup).

Train Uncle Ted and Aunt Martha (the early risers) to make coffee in your kitchen. Then you can sleep just a little later.

In the morning, keep water heated in a large coffeepot and arrange an assortment of individual beverage packets in a festive basket (hot chocolate, regular and herbal tea, and flavored coffees).

Buy individual boxes of cereals in variety packs.

Place sugar nearby and let all your houseguests know they are welcome to use the milk in the refrigerator.

Set out bananas, apples, oranges and mini boxes of raisins for either cereal toppings or for just eating.

Put a couple of flavors of 100 percent juice in your refrigerator and invite your guests to help themselves.

Dont forget the whole-grain breads and bagels. Include a cutting board, knife and toaster in your buffet arrangement. Fancy jams and jellies, squirt margarine, peanut butter and other fancy spreads can be kept in the refrigerator and set out as needed.

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