Christmas is a time of year when friends and relatives who may not see each other at other times of the year gather together. While it may be difficult to retain family relationships in today’s world, Christmas traditions for many families are what keep us connected and grounded, no matter how far apart we are geographically. The problem is that if one person is in charge of everything, that person will spend countless hours in the kitchen and miss out on the joys of others’ company year after year.
Changing the location of the celebrations from year to year is one way to avoid this. Another, far simpler option is to distribute contributions from all visitors each year, dividing the cooking and food preparation chores among the masses.
Of course, this isn’t the best technique, but it’s effective. Another great option is to plan ahead and prepare sections of your Christmas supper. Items that can be prepared up to a few weeks ahead of time and stored in airtight containers at room temperature or frozen for heating or baking on Christmas Day or within a reasonable time frame for best results can be prepared up to a few weeks ahead of time and stored in airtight containers at room temperature or frozen for heating or baking on Christmas Day or within a reasonable time frame for best results can be prepared up to a few weeks ahead of time and stored in airtight containers at room temperature or frozen for heating or baking on Any work that can be accomplished before to the big day is one less thing to worry about when the time comes, which is a relief.
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Make a to-do list for yourself. Lists are extremely useful tools. If you learn to live by your lists, you’ll wonder how you ever got anything done without them. Make a list of everything you want to eat, who’s bringing what, what you’re making, and what ingredients you’ll need for each dish as you prepare your Christmas dinner. Examine your pantry to see which ingredients you already have and which you’ll need to prepare the meals. Shop for everything you’ll need for your Christmas feast except fresh ingredients at least a week before the big day.
Another thing to keep in mind is to make a list of all the non-food items you’ll need ahead of time. Make sure you have enough trash bags, waste baskets, paper plates, glasses, napkins, silverware, and other items on hand for when your guests arrive. These are simple aspects that, if not planned ahead of time, might easily be overlooked.
You should also make a list of any decorations, invitations, gifts, or games you’ll need on the big day. You want your wedding day to run as smoothly as possible, with everyone feeling loved, appreciated, and excited. It’s a good idea to buy a few generic gifts for both men and women in case someone turns up unexpectedly (you never know), and have additional wrapping paper and tools on hand in case someone needs to rewrap something (as in a kid opened a gift intended for someone else). Above all, make sure you leave enough time to sit back, relax, and take in as much as possible of the festivities.
