by Texas Homesteader ~
You say you’re hosting your family’s holiday gathering this year and wondering how to get through it without all the stress?
Well don’t worry, I’m sharing how my family does it. Read on, dear friends.
Hosting Your Family’s Holiday Gathering
You’re excited about the holidays and looking forward to seeing your family & friends.
If you relish putting on the perfect holiday spread, cooking everything from scratch yourself and beaming with pride as your family gathers around the table, by all means do that.
But I daresay the majority of people (including myself!) don’t desire to do it all – host the gathering, cook everything themselves and also clean the huge mess and all those dishes afterward.
How can you make it easier on yourself when hosting so you can actually enjoy the holiday too?
Try these tips.
Sending Out Holiday Invitations
In our family we set up a Facebook Event and include each of our family members as invitees. They each have the opportunity to accept or even decline if they already have holiday plans.
Other invitation ideas from our Facebook Followers are emailed evites or another emailed invite service called Punchbowl.
A Traditional Menu for Thanksgiving
In our family the menu for a traditional Thanksgiving includes our favorites (see recipes by clicking the links):
Smoked Turkey or Ham
Old Fashioned Cornbread Dressing
Creamy Deviled Eggs (tips included to make them easier!)
Our holiday gatherings are always filled with a wide variety of delicious food.
Share The Load For Holiday Menu
In our family to reduce the burden of hosting, no one household is responsible for all of the food for the holidays. The hosting household usually provides the main dish and other family households provide the rest!
For instance, if we host Thanksgiving we’ll provide the ham or turkey. Then other members of the family will bring something to add to the meal.
That way no matter how many people come, how many people don’t RVSP (so you really don’t know how many will be in attendance, ugh), etc., there will still be plenty of food because each family that attends brings something to contribute to the meal.
No stressing about not having enough food!
Fun Themed Food Instead of Traditional
Your party doesn’t have to be traditional. If traditional faire isn’t your thing, opt for a fun & imaginative theme instead. In the past for either Thanksgiving, Christmas or even birthday parties we’ve hosted:
Chili Bar – We provided my award-winning Beef, Black Bean & Dark Beer Chili and other family members brought their favorite chili recipe or condiments that go with chili such as cheese, sour cream, crackers, cornbread, jalapenos, etc.
Taco Bar – We provided the taco meat and other family members brought flour tortillas, Crunchy Taco Shells, cheese, lettuce, beans, rice, etc.
Ice Cream Social – For a summer birthday party that we hosted, each family brought either a favored flavor of ice cream or accompaniments such as sprinkles, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, cherries, whipped cream, etc.
Charcuterie Bar – Each family member brings a charcuterie ingredient: summer sausage, crackers, cheeses, spreads, pickles, etc. This one gets big, y’all!
Guest’s Food Temperatures At Host’s Home
It adds to chaos when you’re having to show guests how to work the oven or stove and where cooking utensils are. So it’s best to make sure all attendees know to have their dishes already prepared before arriving.
Also keep in mind how full your refrigerator will be this time of year. So remind your guests to have a cooler to keep their food hot or cold (see the tips below)
Another option for keeping food hot is to prepare and bring it in their slow cooker. Then they can plug it in and keep it warm until mealtime.
Prepare In Advance
No one wants to be saddled to the kitchen cooking a turkey or cleaning the huge roasting pan. In our family we Pre-Cook the Turkey. Then it’s carved and arranged decoratively on a tray and frozen.
A couple of days before the holiday we’ll bring out the frozen turkey already sliced and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator. A slow warming before the gathering means a moist & delicious and beautifully-arranged carved turkey can be placed on the table without me being shackled to the kitchen. I get to enjoy the holiday too!
Best Time Of Day To Host A Host A Stress Free Holiday
If you can choose the time of your gathering, mid-day is typically best. You have time to prepare for guests in the morning, enjoy the big meal in the afternoon, then enjoy relaxing & visiting with each other and maybe watch a sporting event or parade on TV after the meal.
That way when the event is over you aren’t stuck with lots of clean up before bedtime.
Don’t Stress About Perfection
In the end, the only thing that matters is that family & friends are gathering together. There will be laughter and bonding time. In all probability you will be the only one to recognize little imperfections.
So don’t worry about perfection – enjoy the day!
Plan for Holiday Leftovers
We save empty lidded jars to be able to send a few of the leftovers home with guests. But it’s still a good idea to make plans for leftover food after the holiday:
Leftover Turkey – I use leftover turkey in place of chicken when making Chicken Pot Pie, or Chicken & Dumplings, etc.
Turkey Dressing Patties – Lightly crispy patties of turkey & dressing together.
Make Turkey Broth from the picked-clean turkey carcass. Use in place of water when making rice or soup.
Leftover Vegetables – I often use leftover vegetables with some broth, leftover turkey and pasta to soak up excess broth to make a hot & hearty leftover soup.
So go ahead and host your family’s holiday this year. Just be sure to host a stress free holiday so you can enjoy the holiday too!
~TxH~
Want More Holiday Cooking Tips & Recipes?
Kitchen Hacks
- Holiday Cooking Shortcuts & Tips
- Use Jar Lifters To Hold Open Resealable Bags
- Simple Way To Clean Cast-Iron Skillet
- List Of Quick Ingredient Substitutions
MEAT
- Enjoy The Holiday – Pre-Cook The Turkey
- How To Spatchcock & Smoke A Whole Turkey With Pecan Wood
- Instant Pot Roast & Brown Gravy
- Homemade Tamales!
SIDE DISHES
- RancherMan’s Green Bean Casserole Recipe
- Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing
- Quick & Easy Roasted Vegetables
- Zesty Ranch-Style Beans
- Rosemary Rice
- Crispy Southwest Egg Rolls
DESSERTS
- No-Cook Cherry Dessert
- MYO Cherry Pie Filling Quickly
- Apple Pie With Home-Canned Apples
- Easy Instant Pot Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Bread (with Cake Mix Shortcut)
- Honey-Sweetened Whipped Cream
- Double Pie Crust Recipe
- Easiest 3-Ingredient Graham Cracker Crust
- Mini Nest No-Bake Festive Treats Filled With Candy
BREAD
INGREDIENTS
- MYO Sweetened Condensed Milk
- MYO Broth Easily!
- Easy Cream-Of-ANYTHING Soup Recipe
- Easier Peeling For Boiled Eggs
- How To Tell If Your Baking Powder Is Still Good
FOOD SAFETY
- What Do The Dates On The Food Labels Mean?
- Keeping Hot Dishes HOT In Transit
- Keeping Food Safely COLD
C’mon by & sit a spell! Come hang out at our Facebook Page. It’s like sitting in a front porch rocker with a glass of cold iced tea. There are lots of good folks sharing! And you can also follow along on Pinterest, on Instagram and on Twitter.
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