Breakfast in bed doesn’t have to be elaborate; it’s the thought that counts the most. But these tips will add a touch to make the day more memorable and make the event go a little smoother.

• If it’s your wife’s birthday and you’re a complete klutz in the kitchen, don’t despair. Call one of her favorite restaurants and choose her favorite from the menu. Sneak out and get it and lovingly present it just as if you had slaved away in the kitchen.
• If it’s Mother’s Day and fixing breakfast with the kids seems like something out of a Stephen King movie, you need to buckle up your courage—and make a trip to McDonalds. Serve Mom in bed and spread a blanket on the floor for a kiddie picnic.
• Avoid the crumbs. If you don’t have a proper tray, improvise and spread a tablecloth over the bed as a crumb catcher. 
• Layer on the extra touches. Use the best china and silverware. Present the meal with a linen napkin. Put a chocolate, a cookie, or a small bowl of candies on the tray. 
• Add a special love note, poem, or scripture. If the kids are involved, have them make special “I love you cards” all colored and reflecting their own creativity. 
• Try adding a special gift even if it’s not his or her birthday—maybe toiletries or something relating to an interest or hobby. 
• Add a single rose or flower to the tray. 
• Bring the newspaper or include his or her favorite magazine. If you have a TV in the bedroom, tape the program that your spouse never seems to have time to watch and play it during breakfast or better yet, while you are doing the cleanup. 
• Cater to her or his special interests and appetites. If he is a fisherman, stop by the tackle shop and pick up a fishing fly or gadget. (Yep, those guys in the fly shop will help you make the selection.) For her, if she collects elephants, stop by the gift shop and pick up a small ceramic elephant to adorn the tray. 
• Save time in the morning by using a mix or premixing whatever you can the night before. Most muffin batters can be mixed the night before and stored in the refrigerator. 
• Don’t forget the cleanup. A dirty kitchen spoils the effect of a thoughtful meal in bed.

While it might seem a bit strange to be talking about wine with breakfast, there are special occasions when it is fitting to enjoy a glass of wine with the first meal of the day. Particularly when breakfast starts later, as is often the case at weekends, when it actually becomes brunch.

The first thing that comes to mind of course is Champagne. Why? Perhaps, because it is the classic celebratory breakfast tipple? Or perhaps because it refreshing, and lively, therefore in keeping with the feeling of being ‘bright-eyed and bushy-tailed’ and ready to attack the day.

The more you ponder the more you will focus on the types of foods that we might eat for breakfast, rather than the time of the day that breakfast is eaten. For many who work at night, breakfast is the last, rather then the first meal of their day.

Around the globe, traditional breakfast fare differs as much as it does for any other meal of the day. In the United States, classic breakfast foods include savory dishes such as eggs any which way, bacon, sausage, cured meats, cheese, and smoked fish. Or sweeter delights like pancakes, waffles, freshly baked breads and toast.

The more foods you consider the longer and more interesting the list of wine possibilities looks.

First back to Champagne and sparkling wine. A key reason that these wines have proven to be excellent breakfast partners is their versatility. The crisp acidity as well as the bubbles help cut through the richness of egg dishes and fried foods, as well as the oiliness of smoked salmon and fattiness of many cured meats. Of course it does not have to be Champagne all the time. Cava, Prosecco as well as a plethora of New World sparkling wines will do the trick. Sparkling Rosé (dry or slightly off-dry) is one of our favorites.

While a glass of wine can be a wonderful breakfast treat, it is probably not prudent to indulge so early on a regular basis.

Any great breakfast wine pairings that you would like to share?