BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Holiday/Seasonal Cooking When?

I know this may sound like a dumb question but when you should start planning the menu for the Holidays?

We always go to my m-i-l's house for Thanksgiving but we miss the leftovers. The last couple of years I've found myself fixing Tdinner on the following day here at home. It's not something I plan, but this year I want to be more organized.

Then there is Christmas. A few years ago noone in our family did a dinner on Christmas day. My husband and I decided we would do one just for us (2 adults 4 kids). Then on Christmas Eve we found out we had an additional 6 people coming over. Thankfully I had enough with only a few minor adjustments (like 3 more batches of custard). It seems that it has turned into a tradition and now we have guests every year. When should I start planning for Christmas? Are there any dishes that can be prepared and frozen until then?

Well, let's just jump right in here! I was preparing to post my halloween introduction.. but, what the heck.. that can wait!

I usually end up hosting events for my family and attending events at my mil's for my husband's family.

It is never too early to start planning, but if you start too early, you can get holiday burn-out!

In this situation I would do a couple of things (since we are nearly 3 months out from Thanksgiving)...

1) Try to get a feel for how many people want to come to your house.. or just get it over with and invite them over (then you have no surprises)

2) Consider your menu items.. have you cooked them before? If not, you should try them at least once before the big day.

3) Desserts? Why not have your guests each bring one? If you have your menu planned, you can ask them to bring a cake or a pie...

Here are a couple of things that I do:
1) I live where it is cold by Thanksgiving/Christmas... I make fudge about a week out and store it in tupperware containers in the garage, along with beverages

2) If you are expected to go somewhere and you have to cook for a group of people at your house.. this usually happens to me BACK TO BACK...make a little extra...and find a recipe to use the left-overs... cooking a turkey? buy a larger bird and for day 2.. make turkey & noodles.. this tip works to help you from cooking for several days after the holiday even if you don't have to take a dish to another location.

3) Why kill yourself? If you know of a good bakery, go ahead, buy your rolls, pies, whatever, then take it out of the purchased containers (you can warm a store bought pie) and no one will know the better.

It's always great to have an entire from scratch meal, but if you are like me and you have young children, a full time job, and 25 people expecting you to have a spotless decorated house in addition to a 4-course meal.. cutting a few corners and planning a little ahead will make the day more relaxing, stress-free, and enjoyable. It's no fun if you spend the entire time cooking and you don't get to say hi to grandma!

In terms of making ahead, here are a couple of ideas:

• Cook & Freeze Corn/Green Beans up to one month in advance
• Prepare and cool fudge at least 2 wks ahead
• Prepare homemade pies up to the cooking point and freeze 1-2 wks in advance

I hope this goes some way to help you get started!
Susan

Thanks Susan! It does help. All of my in-laws are from "down home" and boy oh boy can They cook! So I do tend to get really nervous about these meals.

I'll start checking around for a bakery that makes a good pumpkin pie. It seems like no matter where I've bought it in the past they've known it wasn't homemade. If I start paying attention maybe I'll find a good one. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I know I'm going to be really busy this fall with the PTO so I want to get organized and get a handle on all the things I've got going on.

Thanks!

If they are stuck on a particular pumpkin pie.. ask the chef to bring it along... What makes family gathering's special is the entire family participating in the day...

I am serious about this.. why stress yourself out.. just ask them to bring the pumpkin pie or if they are staying with you, ask you mil to make it when she gets there!

My sister does that.. she makes her dish when she comes up from her house (a 3 hr drive).

Susan

I'm not going to stress this year. Last year was not any fun at all. I didn't plan early and I couldn't get in the spirit of things at all. Normally if I get all my planning done and do a bit at a time by the time December rolls around I'm more jolly than St. Nick. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Drives my family nuts!

I want this year to be better. I look at the Holidays as a time for family and friends and love and joy. I don't want to worry about the pumpkin pie. I'll start planning early and follow your suggestions. I'm going to use shortcuts and just not worry about it. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Sshh..don't tell anyone