Holiday entertaining can be an amazing time to reconnect with family, but a stressful time in the kitchen. Start your planning early while you have the luxury to fill in the missing pieces, not while you are sending your loving husband to look for a turkey baster on Thanksgiving Day!
So, let's talk about basic event planning: the who, what, where... or people, places and things. Here is a list of a few things that may be on your list
WHO: People
How many people are you feeding?
Will there be children?
Family and/or friends
WHERE: Place
Where will they eat? Do you have enough tables and seating?
China or paper
Silverware or plastic
Buffet or Family Style
Open seating or assigned (Name cards?)
Decor
WHAT: Things
Beverages (Hot and Cold)
Appetizer
Salad
Main
Veggie
Fruits
Rolls
Dessert
Once you have your menu planned, you can then start looking into the pantry to take inventory of what you will need to complete the feast. Make your shopping list early! Get the nonperishable items from the list now. Save the perishables until a couple of days ahead of time to avoid the craziness at the supermarket.
Another fun idea for the holidays to make it easier on the host...pot luck! It may sound nontraditional, but everyone always wants to help so why not let them! Not only will this take a huge burden off of the host for meal prep, but it will also make clean up easier! Everyone can take their containers home with them. Encourage others to also bring some plastic food storage containers for leftovers. That way your supply will not be wiped out.
You can not and will not remember everything. Believe me, it will be ok! Remember the reason that you are bringing everyone together and just try to enjoy their company and all you have to be thankful for… Ultimately, it is not the linens, place settings or complicated recipes that make for a memorable holiday full of love, it is the company we keep <3
So, let's talk about basic event planning: the who, what, where... or people, places and things. Here is a list of a few things that may be on your list
WHO: People
How many people are you feeding?
Will there be children?
Family and/or friends
WHERE: Place
Where will they eat? Do you have enough tables and seating?
China or paper
Silverware or plastic
Buffet or Family Style
Open seating or assigned (Name cards?)
Decor
WHAT: Things
Beverages (Hot and Cold)
Appetizer
Salad
Main
Veggie
Fruits
Rolls
Dessert
Once you have your menu planned, you can then start looking into the pantry to take inventory of what you will need to complete the feast. Make your shopping list early! Get the nonperishable items from the list now. Save the perishables until a couple of days ahead of time to avoid the craziness at the supermarket.
Another fun idea for the holidays to make it easier on the host...pot luck! It may sound nontraditional, but everyone always wants to help so why not let them! Not only will this take a huge burden off of the host for meal prep, but it will also make clean up easier! Everyone can take their containers home with them. Encourage others to also bring some plastic food storage containers for leftovers. That way your supply will not be wiped out.
You can not and will not remember everything. Believe me, it will be ok! Remember the reason that you are bringing everyone together and just try to enjoy their company and all you have to be thankful for… Ultimately, it is not the linens, place settings or complicated recipes that make for a memorable holiday full of love, it is the company we keep <3
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