Guest Author - Emily Wilska
The holiday season is here, and with it come meals to cook, parties to throw and attend, cards to send, gifts to buy, decorations to display...the list can seem endless! While there might not be a way to ensure completely stress-free celebrations, getting organized can help you avoid some common holiday pitfalls and can make the events of the season more enjoyable. Take a moment to relax and read on.
Avoid meal madness
Whether you're hosting a large Thanksgiving dinner or giving a small dinner party for friends later in the season, the planning and preparation for meal-based celebrations can seem overwhelming. If possible, aim to share the work with family and friends: hold a potluck, assign each guest to bring a particular part of the meal, or pitch in to pay for a catered affair. Downsizing can also work: try having a brunch party rather than a dinner party, or arrange for a cookie exchange in which each guest or family brings a few dozen of a particular kind of cookie.
Whatever type of meal-based party you choose to hold, take the time to plan not only the menu but also the logistics in advance. As you select recipes, go through your fridge or pantry to see what ingredients you have, and keep a detailed list of what you need to buy. Also take a look at the cookware and serving pieces you have to be sure you've got what you need for each dish you're making. A few days before the feast, pull out the plates and flatware you'll use to be sure they're clean, and label each serving dish with a sticky note indicating what it'll be used for. Both of these simple steps can avoid last-minute rushes.
Be a good guest
Even if you're not hosting a meal or party, you can help make the host or hostess' life easier by providing some organizing help. If you live nearby, offer to come by the day before the party to help clean up, do some last-minute grocery shopping, or lend a hand with some cooking. If you'll be dining with close friends or family, you might ask to be put in charge of clean-up after the meal; have the host give you a tour of the kitchen so you'll know how the dishwasher works, where the sponges are stored, and where things get put away once they're clean.
Kitchen work isn't the only way you can contribute. You might offer to be in charge of sending or e-mailing invitations to the party and gathering RSVPs. Perhaps you can help coordinate a potluck, arrange group childcare for parents who'll be attending the party, or bring and arrange flowers, centerpieces, or other decorations for the celebration. Be generous and creative; your host will thank you!
One at a time
An advertisement for Nordstrom's department store in last Sunday's newspaper proudly notes that their stores won't be decorated for the winter holidays until after Thanksgiving, as they believe in celebrating one holiday at a time. I'm with them! Although Hanukkah begins in early December and Christmas festivities won't be far behind, I encourage you to put preparations for those celebrations on hold for now and simply enjoy Thanksgiving.
