It’s December 23rd, and I’m sitting with my parents, chatting about the whirlwind of activity we just experienced. Our extended family just left after five fun-filled days of making cousin memories, decorating gingerbread houses, having elf-themed sleepovers, and eating all the Texas treats this girl could imagine. (things I miss when I’m in Canada.)
As we catch our breath from the holiday hustle, my thoughts shift to the upcoming Christmas plans—Christmas Eve, a candlelight service, family pictures, and, of course, meals for the masses. Preparing dinner for over 15 people requires thoughtful planning, and that’s when it hits me—what about Christmas Eve? With less than 24 hours to go, we needed to come up with something fast!
How to Avoid the Holiday Meal-Time Hustle
I hate operating this way. I don’t need the extra stress and anxiety. But it happens, especially during busy times of the year. What I’ve come to realize is if you want to have stress-free holiday meals and enjoy some peace, it’s all about being a smart planner. This is especially crucial when life gets crazy and you’ve got a bunch of hungry folks to feed.
To avoid the holiday meal hustle, create a game plan. In advance, before the holiday madness kicks in, grab a calendar and list all the meals where you’ll have guests. Then, come up with a loose plan for each one. Will you be the chef, do a potluck where everyone brings something, or just call for some delicious takeout?
3 Ways to Make Your Holiday Meals Stress-Free
If you prefer to be the chef, then you have a few options.
You’re the Chef
Anywhere from 2-4 weeks in advance, plan your menu. Identify the things you can make ahead of time and freeze. Depending on how much leigh way you have, could 1-2 dishes each week and freeze them. I’ve done this with my granny’s Sweet Potato Casserole and Corn Bread Dressing. It’s also a good option for breakfast casseroles, soups or chili, and sauces. Once the holidays arrive, you’ll only have to focus on things that don’t freeze well like salads, or the Turkey.
Also, remember, even if you prefer to cook your own things there are still ways to create stress-free holiday meals. You don’t have to cook EVERYTHING. The best items to cook yourself are the main dishes or signature dishes. Consider preparing the main dishes yourself. Roasted turkey, ham, or a special family recipe can be the centerpiece of your meal. If you have family-favorite dishes that are special to your holiday tradition, make them from scratch to maintain the homemade touch.
Delegate Dishes with a Potluck
Maybe you want the home-cooked touch, but you don’t want to do it all yourself. A potluck is another great option for stress-free holiday meals. Potlucks not only ease the cooking load but also introduce a variety of dishes. With a potluck, you encourage family members to bring their favorite side dishes and desserts. Another fun twist if you’re inviting friends is to have them bring their special family favorite dish or a dish based on their heritage. To avoid duplicates and ensure a well-rounded meal, assign specific dishes to family members. Make sure you coordinate to prevent having too much of one type of dish.
Supplementing Your Meal By Ordering Out
The third option you should consider for stress-free holiday meals is ordering out. As my parents have gotten older, we have incorporated more dishes from local restaurants. We don’t typically have the entire meal catered, but select dishes.
When I was growing up, my mom had a friend who loved to bake pies and rolls to earn extra income. It was not uncommon for us to order her warm and buttery yeast rolls and bring them to a family gathering.
More recently, our church would sell honey-baked ham or smoked turkey as a fundraiser. This was another delicious option that made our meal prep easier.
Another option we’ve used there was a locally run dinner prep where the owner would bake home-cooked meals, and then you heat them at home. We ordered side dishes from her for a meal or two.
And finally, we had a favorite local Bar-B-Que that was reasonably priced and sold not only meats but incredible side dishes.
We’ve found that the smaller non-chain restaurants offer better quality and prices and it’s a great way to support a local business.
8 Holiday Meal Shortcuts for Stress-Free Holiday Meals
Since cooking is typically a part of the holidays, it’s helpful to have a few shortcuts in your back pocket. This will help you maximize your time to spend more time with those you love and not on your feet!
1. Pre-Cut Ingredients: Buy pre-cut vegetables, pre-made pie crusts, and other convenience items to save time on food prep.
2. Prep Ingredients in Advance: Chop, dice, and measure ingredients beforehand. This will save you precious minutes when it comes to assembling dishes.
3. Freezer Meals: Prepare and freeze dishes in advance, so you only need to reheat them on the day of the gathering.
4. Use Make-Ahead Recipes: Choose recipes that can be made in advance and reheated. This not only eases your workload on the day of the event but also often enhances the flavor of dishes.
5. Stock Up on Essentials: Ensure you have enough tableware, serveware, and beverages. It’s better to overestimate than run out during the event.
6. Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: These kitchen appliances can be a real time-saver. You can prepare soups, stews, or side dishes in advance, and they’ll be ready when needed.
7. Grocery Meal Services: If you only expect to have a few people e.g., less than 4 -5, then consider a grocery meal service like Hello Fresh or Chef’s Plate. They simplify by removing the planning, shopping, and prep steps. They provide great instructions, and the meals are fairly easy to cook. I’ve used these types of services for weeknight dinners and small holiday gatherings and had great success.
8. Set Up a Buffet: Consider a buffet-style serving arrangement that allows guests to serve themselves. This minimizes the stress of plating and serving everyone individually.
Check out these posts for more time-saving tips:
6 Brilliant Batch Cooking Methods That Will Make Dinner Time So Much Easier
Instant Pot: Not Your Mother’s Pressure Cooker
Your Christmas Meal Gameplan for Stress-Free Holiday Meals
Now, back to that loose plan I mentioned earlier. List all of the meals you’re responsible for. And write down if you’ll be the chef, do a potluck, order out or some combination of the three. It’s best to create your game plan at least one week before people arrive. This’ll help you avoid the stress I felt on December 23rd when I realized we inadvertently missed planning for Christmas Eve.
Remember, the key to a successful holiday meal is to balance your own culinary skills and preferences with the convenience of ordering or potluck contributions. The goal is to enjoy the holiday with your family, so choose the approach that best suits your situation and comfort level.
