With Thanksgiving still a few weeks away, there’s plenty of time to get a jump on holiday meal planning. While taking the time to plan may seem like an effort you can't afford, it really does pay off — whether you are cooking up an elaborate meal or looking to make things as simple as possible (takeout, anyone?).Regardless of your plans for Thanksgiving, here are a few ways to simplify for a stress-free holiday while still making sure you’ve got a menu full of flavorful dishes to delight your guests.
Shop twice. Cook once. Menu plans help simplify because you can easily create shopping lists from them. With a shopping list in hand there’s no confusion, plus, you can break a huge list into manageable chunks. I try to shop for all non-perishables 2-3 weeks ahead (that means now!), and all perishables just a few days beforehand so it feels less overwhelming.Ask for help. Serve buffet-style.Chances are, some of your guests will be happy to bring their favorite dish – or, if they aren’t cooks, they’ll most likely be happy to pick something up. Plus, if you serve buffet style you can incorporate ingredient cards with the cook’s name on them, so guests with special diets opens in a new tab can easily navigate the buffet and ask the cook directly for more information if necessary. Contact everyone on your guest list, and ask if they’d be willing to contribute food for the meal. Let them know how many their dish should serve, and encourage them to write out the ingredients beforehand.
Let us do the cooking.The simplest suggestion yet! Did you know that you could order some or all of your entire holiday meal online opens in a new tabor at our in-store Holiday Table opens in a new tab? Some years, trading time spent stressed out by cooking for time spent with friends and family can be worth every penny.What are some of the ways you simplify your holiday meal planning and preparation during the holidays?
