How to Host Holiday Meals Stress Free

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You need this guide to find out how to host Holiday Meals stress free! No more stressing out because you forgot to do something and find out when everything is ready to go!

Organization is the key. Not organized? No worries, I’ve got your back! As an added bonus, you’ll also get a sample holiday menu, complete with lots of recipes!

I had a smaller group than usual for Thanksgiving this year. In the afternoon, I posted on Facebook that I was pretty much done with all my prep and all I had to do was nothing until the turkey came out of the oven. I had a few comments asking me to do a blog post on how I managed that and thought that was a great idea!

I used to be so stressed out cooking holiday meals that by the time everything was ready to eat, I was worn out and didn’t even feel like eating. Not so anymore. Through the years, I have come up with several tricks that work for me and I’m sure they will help you out too!

So now that we have all made it through Thanksgiving, it’s time to turn our attentions to Christmas. It’s such a busy time of year… shopping, cleaning, baking, decorating, wrapping, etc. etc. etc.

I have a pretty big group coming for Christmas but I’m confident that I will still have time to watch “Chef’s Table” for a while in the afternoon because I will have everything done! (Yes I am a geek, I watch cooking shows in the middle of cooking the largest meal of the year! 🙂 )

So I want to take you through the process. First and foremost, make lists!!

Make lists for helping You host holiday meals stress free

Make a menu list

I can’t stress that enough. Start with a master list for your menu. Get that set in your mind early.

You can always tweak a few things here or there if you find a great recipe you want to try or you can’t find that special ingredient you are looking for.

Make a shopping list

Once your menu list is made, go through all of the recipes. Add the ingredients you don’t normally have in your pantry to the list. I keep my shopping list on Alexa, on my phone. The reason for this is that before smartphones, I would leave the list on the refrigerator, in the car, or lost somewhere in the bottom of the black hole that is my purse!

When I use the last of a pantry item, I tell Alexa to update the list. So I don’t usually have to worry about those items.

Just in case, when coming up with your shopping list, check all of the pantry items that you might be low on and add them to the list. If you do this list early, you can pick up a few things that may be on sale when doing your regular grocery shopping. Thereby saving money, as an added bonus.

As you purchase items, cross them off of the list. You can purchase the non-perishable items well in advance and not have to worry about them! In this case, I just bought the turkey, almonds and cranberries because they were on sale. Dry sherry is a pantry item for me.

Make a timeline of tasks needed to host holiday meal

Go back to your menu and determine how long each task will take to prepare and how long each item needs to cook. Add each task to a timeline that you can refer to all day.

Make a list of dishes required for serving

Go back to your original list and determine how many serving platters, serving bowls and serving utensils you will need. This will save a ton of stress as you are getting your finished food ready to plate and you have nothing to put them in.

If you’re like me, the only time I break out the good china, is a few holidays. Inevitably they need rewashing. A few days before your event, get the dishes and serving bowls out and wash them. Then just set them aside for a few days.

I usually cover with a clean kitchen towel because we have 3 dogs and they would be full of dog hair, if I didn’t. One to two days ahead, purchase the produce and perishables.

Plan Your decor in advance to host holiday meals stress free

Again, well in advance, plan your table decorations including, centerpiece, dinnerware, plates, serving platters and bowls, napkins, etc. If you know the color scheme you want to go with, you can pick up lots of things at the dollar store. Saving you more money!! Here is a fun article from Southern Living on Table Settings!

These are fun. Just a few different sized glasses and a vase with some spruce that I cut from the back yard. A package of tealights and a few colorful leaves. Cost me $8 at the dollar store. When they are lit they are really cute! The tea lights float on water for about 40 minutes.

In my local dollar store there is an entire isle dedicated to glassware of all shapes and sizes. You can come up with really cute centerpieces for next to nothing!

Set tables in advance

If you read posts with tips such as this, many advocate for setting the table up to a week early. There is no way I can do this. We live in an old farmhouse and the dining table is where everything is set when anyone walks in the front door. Backpacks, groceries, tools, mail, you name it, it ends up resting, for a time, on the table. I have, in my old age, decided that I am setting it the day before any event.

So iron the tablecloth, if you must, (I freaking hate ironing and might not if my Mom wasn’t coming 🙂 ). Place the centerpiece and set place settings. If you are doing a buffet, set up for that. (Threaten your family with a horrible fate if anything gets messed up!)

Make dishes ahead of time

Anything that can be made a day or two in advance, do it. Think cranberry or other sauces. Parboil vegetables and cold shock them. If you are making stuffing, for instance, cook any sausage and the onions and celery the day before and store in a container. Then you can just add it to the bread cubes and stock the day of the feast.

I usually make Cauliflower Au Gratin, otherwise my husband and my dad whine so I always make that the day before and just pop it in the oven. If you are making a vege tray, most everything can be cut up the day before and stored in plastic bags. Then you can just arrange on your serving tray the day of. You get the point. Get any prep you can done early!

Ok, so you finally come to the day of and you have made yourself a timeline. Pie comes out of the oven first. Try not to get behind. If you can get ahead, that’s all good.

If you are making mashed potatoes don’t wait until 4 o’clock to peel them and cut them up. Get them done at 1 pm and cover with cold water. They will stay for hours without browning and soaking actually removes a bit of the starch.

So now, it’s only 2 o’clock and you have 2 hours to relax before company shows up. Kick your feet up and watch a good cooking show because you just owned this dinner!

Last minute stress

The hardest part is the last 30- 40 minutes. You have to mash the potatoes, make gravy, finish the last minute veges, bake rolls and whatever else you have on your list. Remember, if you are cooking a turkey, it needs to rest for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour. Plan your last minute things so they can be finished in this time frame.

My last two tips. Sit down, enjoy the feast you have produced, enjoy your company.

Next, when dinner is done, and everyone wants to know how they can help, let them help with clean up! Have plenty of tupperware containers ready to pack with leftovers. Delegate where to put all the leftovers. Let one person be in charge of washing dishes another with leftovers. Get the kids in there helping too!

Delicious recipes to serve for the holidays

Main dishes

Truthahn Schnitzel

This schnitzel is made with turkey breasts!

Make This

Brined Turkey Breast

Once you learn how to make a brined turkey breast, you’ll never have it any other way. It turns out moist, perfectly seasoned and so delicious that Christopher wants me to make it this way for many years to come.

Make This

Strawberry Infused Sea Scallops

These Strawberry Infused Sea Scallops are not only gorgeous but they take less than 40 minutes, including marinating and have a wonderful hint of strawberry!

Make This

Garlic – Citrus Stuffed Whole Rainbow Trout

This trout is easy, flavorful, moist and melt in your mouth tender!

Make This

Lamb Loin – Grilled or Roasted to Perfection

This Lamb Loin is a super easy, special dish for any occasion! You can grill it in the summer months, or roast it in the oven any time of the year!

Make This

Air Fryer Pork Loin

This Air Fryer Pork Loin turns out tender and juicy on the inside, and nice and browned on the outside! Air Fryer Pork Loin only takes about 20 minutes, total! If you are trying to eat healthier for the New Year, this recipe is for you!

Make This

Apple Sauce & Stuffing Stuffed Pork Loin Roast

This Stuffed Pork Loin Roast is easy but beautiful enough for a fancy Sunday dinner!

Make This

Vegetable dishes

Parsnip Recipe – Vegan

This Parsnip Recipe comes together in a matter of minutes! A vegan, healthy, parsnip recipe it’s perfect for a side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas or Hanukkah!

Make This

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

These Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are an easy and delicious side dish for any meal. Glazed with butter and brown sugar, they also are known as burnished carrots, or roasted carrots. With just 3 ingredients, cooking them on the stove top makes them fast and easy! Elegant enough for company, easy enough for a work night!

Make This

Green Beans Almondine -Amadine

Green Beans Almondine has to be one of the easiest vegetables dishes to make! It is great for the holidays, because the green beans can be blanched the day before and then can be finished in a few minutes!

Make This

Cauliflower au Gratin

This Cauliflower au Gratin is a favorite to have for the holidays, or any day! Cauliflower and cheese is a cheesy, creamy vegetarian dish!

Make This

Roasted Butternut Squash

This Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe is easy and delicious! With just 3 ingredients, you’ll find out how to roast butternut squash the easy way! No peeling or chopping required! Oven roasting takes all of the work out of the task.

Make This

Parmesan, Spinach, Bacon Spaghetti Squash Boat

Easy delicious side dish to enjoy with any meal!

Make This

Maple Roasted Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

Just a hint of sweetness gives this side dish a wonderful flavor!

Make This

Side dishes

Cranberry Orange Sauce

Making your own Cranberry Orange Sauce is so easy! This Cranberry Orange Sauce has a little extra kick from Grand Marnier! Feel free to eliminate that if you have little ones sharing your Thanksgiving or Christmas table! It is every bit as good!

Make This

Classic Mac & Cheese

Classic Mac & Cheese is a creamy, homemade version of the popular stuff in the box! Just like your mom used to make, this Macaroni & Cheese has a crunchy topping!

Make This

Mrs. John F. Kennedy’s Casserole Marie Blanche

Vintage recipe from First Lady, Jackie Kennedy!

Make This

Irish Colcannon

Colcannon is an Irish dish that has been around for centuries! Colcannon is super easy and normally served for St. Patrick’s Day in the US, but great any time of the year!

Make This

Foil Packet Grilled Potatoes

These Foil Packet Grilled Potatoes are all spiced up with roasted garlic and herbs of your choice! Easy, delicious summer side dish with zero cleanup!

Make This

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Mexican Flavors

This Hasselback Sweet Potato is super easy and ultra flavorful!

Make This

Desserts

Apple Crumb Pie

Apple Crumb Pie has lovely spiced apples with a buttery, crunchy crumb topping. This Dutch Apple Pie is much easier than a traditional double crust pie!

Make This

Apple Cranberry Crisp

Apple Cranberry Crisp is an easy, delicious dessert for the holidays! Festive and gluten free, dairy free and vegan!

Make This

My Mom’s Rhubarb Pie

This Rhubarb Pie is slightly sweet and slightly tangy! It is the best rhubarb pie EVER!

Make This

Blackberry Pie Recipe

This Blackberry Pie Recipe is easy and a perfect summer dessert for a picnic or BBQ. Flaky pie crust and a not to sweet filling make this recipe stand out!

Make This

Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie

Making your own Gluten Free Lemon Meringue Pie could really not be easier! This Lemon Meringue Pie has a special twist! It has a chocolate crust! Yum!

Make This

Yellow Plum Sorbet

This Yellow Plum Sorbet was caught my eye immediately! I thought the use of Grand Marnier was interesting!

Make This

Raspberry Banana Sherbet

Easy lactose / dairy free and vegan dessert for any day!

Make This

When the guests leave, put your feet up and pat yourself on the back because you OWNED this!!!! So that’s how easy it is to Host Holiday Meals! If this post is helpful to you, or you have any additional suggestions, please leave me a comment below! I would love to hear from you!

Xoxo,

Originally Published 11/25/2016