Simplify Your Holiday Dinner

If you are the one hosting the holiday meal you know how stressful that whole situation can be. But it really doesn’t have to be that way.

It takes a lot of time and coordination to pull off a holiday dinner with all the fixings by yourself. So why not get some help? Here’re a few ways to help simplify your holiday meal.

Get a little help from the store

Does the thought of making a main dish with a couple of side dishes and bread to boot just seem like way too much for you to take on? If it is, why not purchase a few dishes from the store. There are lots of frozen side dishes you can grab to go with the dinner from twice baked potatoes to mashed potatoes. Also, lots of stores have dishes ready-made at the deli counter all that is left to do is to heat up the dish.

Bag the Baking

If baking really isn’t your thing then drop by the bakery and pick up some rolls and a pie. Rolls are a great item to get from a local bakery or the grocery store. All you will need to do is heat them up a bit and they are ready for the table in no time. Pies and rolls are also great for guest to bring, so be sure to let others help out with the dinner if they offer.

Have a Potluck Holiday Dinner

As I was growing up my mom hosted most of our holiday dinners but she didn’t do all the food herself. It seems everyone who came would bring a dish too. It’s a great way to celebrate the holiday as everyone can bring a favorite dish and the person hosting only needs to make the main dish. This is a great way to simplify your holiday dinner.

Freezer Cook  and Pre-Cook

This may seem odd that I am offering freezer cooking as a way to simplify your holiday dinner but it can really help. By making the rolls or pies a week before, it can really take the pressure off of you on the holiday. I also have made the stuffing ahead, prepared the sweet potato casserole the night before so all I had to do is pop it in the oven at the appointed time.

Last year I even cooked our Thanksgiving turkey the night before and made some turkey stock from the bones. Then the next day I sliced the turkey and added some of the turkey broth I had made the night before to reheat it in. The turkey was wonderfully moist and we didn’t have much left over so I know it was a big hit. I will be doing the same this year too.

Make Simple Dishes

Who says you must have turkey on Thanksgiving? If chicken is easy for you to do make that instead. Don’t like the trouble of making a sweet potato casserole. Try making twice baked sweet potatoes instead or better yet just serve baked sweet potatoes with a topping of butter with some brown sugar mixed in. Who knows, everyone may enjoy the simpler fare so much it will become a new tradition.

What’s a way you simplify your holiday dinner?

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