Avoid the Burnout - Make Your Holiday Meal Planning SIMPLE!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the duties of hosting the holiday meal this year, chances are your to-do list is longer than Santa’s beard. It’s easy for us to want to throw a Martha Stewart-worthy holiday party, but that’s a LOT to live up to. Most families don’t have the time to prepare something that extravagant and often ends up more stressed out than needed. Here are some simple tips to follow to keep your holiday get-togethers fun and as stress-free as possible:
Keep it Simple! Entertaining has these basic components: food and drink, décor, music and lighting. Don’t go overboard on detailed recipes, fancy cocktails, and making your home look like a Better Homes & Gardens magazine. Use a few pumpkins as a centerpiece, stick with family favorite recipes & drinks, and add some candles to enhance the mood, and voila! Your loved ones will enjoy the time they spend with you much more than staring at your holiday décor.
Time-Savers. If you’re running low on time, consider buying ready-made food. Remember, the point is to be together and enjoy the holiday. These days, even basic grocery stores offer delicious ready-made holiday food. If that doesn’t appeal to you, make it a potluck. Assign dishes to everyone who is joining you. You prepare the main dish (turkey, ham, etc) and maybe a side dish or 2, but have everyone else bring the rest. This saves time and lets everyone feel involved.
Drinks. For simple drinks, forego the stocked bar, unless you already have one. Consider making a simple punch, and have a pitcher of water on the table. Apple cider & eggnog are also holiday favorites, so you can always have some of those on hand for simple, quick drinks.
Mix-n-Match. Nowadays, plates and glasses don’t have to match. Be creative with what you have. Want fewer cleanups? Consider using disposable plates, napkins, and silverware. If you still have that unused china set you got for your wedding, pull that out and use it! Have a sink with soapy water ready to make cleanup easy.
Make it Easy. The easiest way to serve the food is buffet style. Have a buffet set up with platters and bowls for the various dishes. Have plates at one end, so your guests can serve themselves. Meanwhile, have the dining table set with a tablecloth or mats, flatware, napkins and glasses.
Simple Centerpieces. A holiday table really requires candlelight, but avoid scented candles near the food, as they can interfere with flavors. Place some greenery around the candle bases, with maybe a few small glittery ornaments, small pumpkins, or pinecones.
Set the Mood. Have holiday music playing in the background or have on a general fun playlist to help keep the party going. Finally, the tip that so many of us forget;
Enjoy yourself and your guests!
We hope this helps you get rid of some of the stress surrounding holiday meals and lets you enjoy your time a little bit more. Have a happy holiday! Until next time - Keep It Simple!
