Less Stress - Holiday Dinners
I love cooking during the holidays. But it wasn't always like that. When I was a newlywed I
stressed during the holiday cooking season. I always felt I had to make the best food and
entertain everyone. It was not easy even when my husband helped with clean up. And it's much
more difficult when there are fewer family members to keep everyone entertained.
So over the last 22 years of holidays I've learned a few things that have made holiday
dinners less stressful.
In the early days, I would shop twice the week and days before and cook for two days, the
day before and the day of the holiday. As time went on, I found that many people didn't like the
rich foods. They all seemed to look forward to the old faithful foods, turkey, stuffing, potatoes,
vegetables, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and eggnog. Of course we have a few hors d'oeuvres
for beforehand munching.
Sometimes there are variations of a few of the foods such as regular mashed potatoes and
yams, two different kinds of vegetables, and two different kinds of cranberry sauce. Occasionally
there are some who make a great side dish and I happily accept their offer to bring it. But for the
most part, the meal is simple.
Were you to happen upon a regular holiday meal at my home you might find the table set
with fancy paper plates and cups. (The years we've used paper have given me a much-deserved
rest.) I cook most of the food the day before, including all that1s needed for my stuffing made
from scratch. All that's usually left to cook on the day of... are the vegetables, stuffing, and turkey. However I will
occasionally undercook the yams and pie so they can be put back into the oven, then served hot.
An extra 10 - 15 minutes is all they need.
The kids help me prepare the foods in dishes and cover them to keep them warm. Last
minute cleaning and prepping is done, and then we wait for the guests to arrive. Of course I'm in
the kitchen continuing with the last minute preparations when they arrive.
After they arrive we put out drinks and hors d'oeuvres, then show them where the refrigerator
is and invite them to enjoy our home as their home. TV is put on in one room for those wanting
to watch the game. Hors d'oeuvres are placed in the TV room and sitting room. At about 3
o'clock we serve dinner. This gives everyone enough time to digest dinner a bit before digging
into pie and having coffee.
I am blessed to have a husband who always seems to be cleaning up before I even think
about it. But I hear that's not always the case. So using paper plates and cups will help mom
with the cleaning. And if the guests ask if they can help, let them! For some, it's difficult to just sit
and relax. They need to feel a part of things.
If you know you're having a guest who just can't live with paper plates and such, make it a
point to put out your finest dishes and just leave a hot sink of soapy water to put everything in
after the meal.
Copyright ©2002 Susie Glennan
BIO: Susie Glennan is the President of The Busy Woman, Inc. - DBA: The Busy Woman's
Daily Planner®. The company provides daily planners, car & home organizers, Memory Books,
and MORE! Susie teaches time management & scheduling seminars, offers FREE consultations
with your order. She will help you set up a schedule that's right for YOU.
Her products have been featured in Real Simple and Parenting Magazines, CBS Early
Show, San Antonio Living Show and many more!
She is the editor of Organizing Round-Up which can be found at: http://www.thebusywoman.com/time-management/newsletters.php
as well as Busy Woman Tips & Articles (sign up box found above).
Susie has been happily married since 1982, is mom to 3, and is a Home Maker, Teacher,
Toastmaster, Speaker, Author of numerous articles that have been published in magazines and
across the web.
You can reach Susie at susie@thebusywoman.com or 800-848-7715
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