Holidays are when people want to shine with their cooking and hosting. I can tell you I have been to both occasions where people were so stressed out because they did not plan well or were not prepared which caused them not to be the most pleasant hostess. I’ve been that girl. As well as people who planned well and when you walked in, you are greeted with a smile and things generally go smoothly. I’ve been that girl too. So, I am also speaking from my own experience.
1. Plan the day
Plan when you will decorate your home, clean, and grocery shop. We are not talking about perfection. Things happen. Food burns, dishes break, we run out of food, etc… But know how many guests are coming. If it is open to bringing a guest, know how many that will be too. I have seen people have an open-ended party where they or someone else must constantly run back and forth to the store and they did not have the resources to do that. But they felt obligated. To avoid that from happening, have a limit to your guests. And do not feel the pressure that you have to do it all. Write it down! Early preparation is the number one key.
2. Cook Store-Bought Food
Even though some people cook all their food for the holidays, they usually have a couple of items that are store-bought. You can cheat and make your store-bought boxed, canned, or frozen items taste from scratch. I know, it’s probably not going to taste like grandma’s homemade. But I’ve added cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla to certain desserts. Sifting flour or cake mix will make the cake fluffier. I’ve added an extra egg and made my cake denser. Add crushed peppermint or sprinkles to give it your own touch. And it was still less work than from scratch! Some of the more common things are store-bought rolls, prepackage salad kits, and drinks rather than making the punch. Still, punch is easy to make by adding fruit, a carbonated drink, or sherbet. All and all store-bought cuts down preparation time.
3. Cater Your Food
When I was growing up, I never knew anyone who catered for the holidays. Am I dating myself? Maybe that was not your experience. People wanted that position in the family where everyone said, “Aunt Mary makes the best cornbread dressing,” I do not know how they did it all the time. I’m talking about family, neighbors, and friends. Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook. But I am perfectly fine with catering also! I order full and partial catering. After my husband had surgery, I was NOT going to overwork myself so I can show people how great my from-scratch mac and cheese is. I can show them that on another occasion. 😉 Increasingly, local and chain restaurants and grocery stores are offering holiday catering. So, make sure you order your food at least one to two months ahead of time. Because most places have a time where they stop taking orders. And if that’s still too much. You can always go out to eat!
4. Cook The Day Before
If you are doing all the cooking for Thanksgiving, you will save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress if you follow these steps. I cook both frozen, canned, and fresh food during the week. But for the holidays, certain fresh or from scratch items are a must! I must have fresh snapped green beans for example. So, I try and snap my green beans the day before and put them in the fridge. If you are like me, I enjoy hot food cooked on the same day. Yes! I am one of those people who does not care for reheated holiday food before it is served for the first time. But leftovers I can do. Lol! Make-ahead casseroles and marinated meats are some things you can prepare the day before also. So, they are ready to pop in the oven. Cakes and pies can take a lot of preparation time. If they are already baked; you can have them waiting on your beautiful cake plate and ready to serve. Doing all these will take a lot of same-day stress off you.
5. Accept Help
I get it. I like to host and cook, so I like things a certain way. And that’s ok. As long as it doesn’t make us unpleasant or irritable toward our guests. If we’re getting irritable and feeling overwhelmed, we need to ask for help. We don’t want to be a holidayzilla! If there’s a lot to be done, don’t be afraid to ask more than one person. That way, you can distribute responsibilities. When I was growing up on my dad’s side, my grandmother cooked the main meat a few sides, and the desserts. While that was a lot, family members brought other side dishes, rolls, and drinks. And the men washed the dishes afterward. That became a family tradition. Take some of the burden off yourself to do everything so you can enjoy your family.
6. Clean The House
I always feel like I can focus on the day’s events if I can have my house cleaned. It is such a weight lifted! If you do not want to go too hard on your pocketbook, but you do not have the time to clean yourself, an idea would be to set aside a jar months ahead and put cash in it until it’s time. Have someone come out a couple of days ahead. But if it’s not in the budget, clean one area a day that week before cleaning the bathroom last. Focus on the areas that guests will use. Living room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, play area, and outdoor dining.
7. Set The Table The Day Before
There are a lot of people who still use their fine china for the holidays. I’m one of them! I love the fancy feel of porcelain patterned plates, silver coffee pots, teapots, and crystal cake plates. But for me, they are not for everyday use. So, I give them a rinse before I set the table. Premium plastic plates have also been a hit at family gatherings. I just set them on top of a decorative charger and still, it gives it a more formal feel. If you are doing buffet style, set the layout on your island or counter. Complete with plates, flatware in its caddy or container, goblets, serving ware, utensils, and napkins. And any décor to accompany it like the centerpiece, candles, and garland. It gives a complete look as soon as your guests walk in the door.
8. Practice Self Care
Although we love our family, unfortunately, some can be a big source of stress at gatherings. Especially during the holidays. Because we’re all in one place at the same time. Different personalities and opinions if not managed can make for a miserable occasion. We can’t choose our family. But we can choose how we allow ourselves to be treated by them. Make intentional time planned for self-care the week of the occasion. If you’re able to, get a massage, pedicure, or manicure. If you’re not able to do that, drink some green tea each day to keep your immune system up. Meditate, take walks outside, turn on your aromatherapy diffuser, take bubble baths. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables so you won’t feel sluggish. Drink lots of water. And get consistent rest. A well-rested, nutritionally fed, boosted immune system, and, a peaceful mind will make a big difference when the time comes.
9. Make A Checklist
On the morning of the dinner, have a checklist that you look over before you get your day started. By this time, everything should be at home and ready to put in the oven or on the buffet table. Unless the food is being catered and delivered or you must pick it up. Waiting for someone to come back from the store with some of the food can be frustrating. And it’s risky going the day of. Because most of the time it’s slim pickings at grocery stores.
When to get dressed can vary. If you know that your family usually starts arriving early, I would begin putting on everything except top layers, jewelry, and shoes. So, if you are wearing a jacket or an outer layer blouse, put on your tank top or light shirt and your apron while you are preparing everything about an hour out. Comfortable shoes are last. If your family tends to be fashionably late, 30 to 45 minutes may be ok so you have less risk of spills or accidents on your clothes. You can begin lighting your candles 10 to 15 minutes prior. Unless you like them burning all day. Then take a deep breath. Guests are almost here!
Hostess Challenge: If you cannot do all these things, choose at least 1 to 2 you can commit to.
