For those of us in Canada, October marks the time for a big holiday for many…Thanksgiving! The holidays are a hectic and chaotic time for the vast majority of the population. We run from one place to another with more “to do” lists than we think we will ever manage to complete. One thing is certain and that is that throughout all the running around and festivities that are going on it is quite likely that you are going to either lose your mind because you are obsessively over organized, or you are going to forget one dinner, event, or gift during the season that is going to prove to be important enough for a mad dash out to buy something. Below are a few tips that might help you get through the stresses of the holiday.
First of all, you absolutely must adopt the KIS policy. Keep It Simple. The meals you plan for your contributions to holiday cooking in your own home, and for various events and potlucks that take place this time of year, should be simple to prepare, take little time, and hopefully cost as little money as possible.
Plan ahead and shop ahead. This saves valuable time and money because you aren’t impulse buying at the last minute. Whether you are shopping for food items for meal preparation and cooking or the perfect gifts for friends or family putting things off often tends to result in spending more money than intended and getting less value for that money.
Make sure you have enough room inside your fridge for the foods you need for preparation and storing the foods that need to be chilled once they’ve been prepared. Space is a must and if you do not have enough space in your refrigerator you need to be making other plans for food that needs to be kept cold in the interim.
Plan a quick and easy back up in case something goes wrong with one of the more complicated dishes or casseroles. A last minute substitution that is quick and easy is a much better option than not having enough to go around. You never know what’s going to go wrong when dealing with the holidays and it is best to be prepared when something does.
Enjoy your meal and those eating with you. This is an important tip. With all the running around to prepare for the big meal, make sure you enjoy it too. Enjoy the time, eat slowly and talk to those around you. Do not bring you cell phone to the table or sit around the living room. Set the table and eat together, unplugged from the devices. You may not see everyone again for a while so truly sit down, eat slowly and have a great conversation and some laughs. Remember it is not just about the food, but also to be thankful for those around you. So take that time to truly talk and listen to those around you. After all, this is why you are gathering together; to enjoy each other’s company!
Clean as you go. This little tip will save so much time, trouble, and pulled hair that you will never really know how wonderfully valuable this nugget of advice really is. Dishes are simpler to clean when still warm and before food has time to dry and set in.
Hopefully these tips help you plan for any big gathering and remember that it is not just about the meal and the prep, but about those around you too. If you are Canadian; enjoy your Thanksgiving! For everyone else planning a big meal; don’t forget to enjoy it and not just stress about all that needs to be done.
Written by: Barb Schutz
Picture from Microsoft Stock Images
