Okay, I was freaking out yesterday, thinking I couldn't do all I needed to do for Thanksgiving, then Christmas Eve, then Christmas Day, then New Year's. There's the cooking, cleaning, planning games, and generally being a good host.
Then I remembered that I have done these holidays every year, and I have managed because I plan it all out and do some work in advance.
So I thought I'd share a tip, the ask for your input.
My Tip
For hosting and cooking for a big holiday meal. . .
Cook in advance, in particular make a freezer-stable pie pastry in advance and store in the freezer. I made this recipe this morning and froze it in 5 portions. They thaw overnight in the fridge before I need to bake the pie. For Thanksgiving this year, I'll be making 1 single-crust pie and 1 double-crust pie, using 3 of the 5 portions of this dough. I'll be using the other 2 dough portions in a sweet and savory meat pie for New Year's Eve. (There's a fun name for this meat pie -- Medieval Game Pie.)
4 cups flour (if you want to use some whole grain, you can use 1 cup whole wheat + 3 cups white flour)
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 3/4 cups shortening
1 large egg
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon vinegar
In a large bowl, stir flour, salt and sugar together. Cut in shortening.
This dough can handle extra flour, if needed, for rolling. Extra flour and handling will not toughen the baked product.
I have never put an egg in pie crust. That's interesting. I don't make very many pies, but Pillsbury does my crusts these days.
ReplyDeleteI don't have many tips for the holidays except do whatever you can ahead of time such as make ahead mashed potatoes (made with lots of butter, cream cheese and sour cream) that can be frozen. But the biggest tip I use is to let others help. People always ask what they can bring or do to help, so I ask them to bring things. It's a good way to get sides and desserts. It also helps me not to worry as much about how everything will get done if I have a plan that I can work on a little at a time.
This year, we will be going to my in-laws house for Thanksgiving, and after an immediate family Christmas with my kids, we will go to my FIL's house for Christmas dinner. My husband's family are not good organizers, so the job usually falls to me. I always organize the gift exchange and usually organize the dinners and who brings what, etc. All of this is done by emails. We will also go over and decorate my FIL's house for him.
I will have my extended family over before Christmas and always make it simple with something like a soup and bread, or just desserts.
So for me, keeping it simple and letting others help is what works for me.
Thank you for sharing how you handle the holidays, Live and Learn.
DeleteGenerally, I make the pies the day before Thanksgiving, and sometimes bake the sweet potatoes and prepare the casserole up to the baking point. The rest is done the day of but doesn't seem to take all that long. My husband helps me with the turkey and other "sous cheffing", as he puts it. Our married daughter now brings the apple pie(s) and another dish if I would like. We often play games later in the day on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHi Cat,
DeleteThank you for sharing how you do your holiday work!
How fun, Ladies! What a great conversation. I think some other year I mentioned my go-to method for holiday planning here. Usually a week or two before a big get-together, I divide a sheet of lined paper into usually 3 or 4 days, with just five or six lines for the first/second day, about twice as many for the day before the holiday, and the biggest chunk at the bottom for the holiday, itself. Then I start penciling in last minute shopping, make-ahead preps, goal times to start/finish cooking various dishes on the day, oven temperatures/times for anything baked (since we only have one oven), etc. I keep a separate sheet with the actual menu, so I can refer to that before and on the day, to make sure that I remember to get everything on the schedule for prep, AND don't forget something I made ahead in the fridge or freezer when it's time to thaw and/or serve it. This is easy to amend, and I get the little emotional boost of accomplishment each time I cross something out when it's done/ready. And Cat, kudos to your sous chef. LOL I started training our sons early with that moniker, actually, and my husband and sons are all very good at sous-cheffing, now! It's fun, and helps get everything done. We don't have very formal get-togethers, but we DO make fairly elaborate menus. Sara
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your tips, Sara!
DeleteTotally agree with planning ahead and asking for help. This is a slightly different context, but I think the principles are the same--4 years ago, I started a young adult ministry for our church, which meets at my home. I was the only person doing the leadership for 2 years, and then a friend joined me. It's taken me awhile to best figure out how to divvy the responsibilities, but this fall, we started by splitting up the Bible study portion and the social activites. Each of us has taken on an "apprentice". Having my friend and her helper take over the social activities has been very freeing for me. Meanwhile, my helper typically greets people at the door, does the "opener", helps with lengthy oral reading passages, and does the closing prayer. I have noticed that I am stressed when people arrive because I'm trying to juggle last minute texts/tv streaming glitches, etc., and trying to greet people in a calm and collected manner when I'm problem-solving, well, let's just say it isn't my strong point. Also, after having led the lesson, I start to get tired and want to speed through everything else just to get done--not ideal. My overall takeaway is to try to notice (and be honest about) the areas which cause me the greatest stress, and to ask for specific help in those areas. I have found that people are very willing to assist me, and it's also a good way to mentor others. Hopefully my meandering thoughts are helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kris. Yes, your thoughts are very helpful and although not holiday specific, they can apply to how to host a holiday event.
ReplyDelete