Another thing that can easily turn into a huge holiday hassle is the cooking
of the meals for the gatherings that always take place all throughout the
holiday season. There are ways to lessen this anxiety as well; you only need to
decide which of the suggestions will work for you.
First of all, make yourself believe that everything does not need to be
perfect. Everything does not need to be exactly the same as it was other years,
either. In prior years it probably caused a seriously high stress level or you
would not need to try to de-stress the season. Streamline the menu
and your guests will still have a lovely and unforgettable occasion.
As just one example of that streamlining, if you have charge of the
Thanksgiving or other holiday family meal, it truly is not necessary to serve
mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. For that matter, if stuffing will be
served, do you need any kind of potatoes at all?
Ask some of your guests to help out if they had not done
that other years. Even a few people bringing a dessert will turn out to be a
tremendous help. Perhaps one person can bring a vegetable medley and another
dinner rolls. If you insist on preparing everything yourself for
"traditions sake" or for whatever reason, at least decide which of
the foods can be prepared the day before or often longer before and frozen. Ask
for help with chopping onions and other vegetables that need to be prepared for
the meal ahead of time, too. That in itself is a huge time saver.
Holiday Baking
This is an area where many people actually end up self-creating stress that
would not be necessary in any way, shape, or form if precautions to prevent it
would be implemented.
Some things to remember in this category include:
Make yourself believe that
your family really doesn't need 6 or 8 different kinds of cookies just
because it's "cookie baking week."
It is not healthy to fill the
entire time period between Thanksgiving and New Years with cookies, cakes,
pies, and candy constantly. Have some on hand to serve, of course, just do
it all in moderation and there will be many benefits to your family's
health as well as to your stress level.
Try a cookie exchange with
neighbors, co-workers, church members, etc. Choose one kind of cookie and
make a huge batch. Then when the exchange happens, you will be bringing
many other kinds of cookies home and only needed to make one kind on your
own.