{"id":7735,"date":"2023-12-18T09:00:40","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T15:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/?p=7735"},"modified":"2023-12-18T16:23:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T22:23:01","slug":"5-easy-tips-for-getting-your-holiday-dinner-on-the-table","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/es\/blog\/5-easy-tips-for-getting-your-holiday-dinner-on-the-table\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Easy Tips for Getting Your Holiday Dinner on the Table"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does it feel like the holiday season comes around earlier and earlier each and every year?\u00a0 I was in the store the other day and there are already Christmas trees and Christmas decorations everywhere!<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know about you, but I love the holiday season and all the things that make up this time of year.\u00a0 Now, I know, I know that may seem crazy to love the fact that Christmas trees are being set up in October, but think about what the holiday season really means\u2026<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The time with family\u2026<\/p>\n

The hustle and bustle (not too much, though)\u2026<\/p>\n

The decorations and lights\u2026<\/p>\n

The yummy dinners\u2026<\/p>\n

Which begs the question: How do you manage to make that big Thanksgiving meal or Christmas Day dinner, get everything on the table while it\u2019s all hot, and not lose your mind in the process?<\/p>\n

Well, I don\u2019t claim to have all the answers, but here are my top 5 tips I use year after year, holiday after holiday to help get our dinner on the table on time, hot, and without completely stressing myself out in the process!\u00a0 And these tips work even when you have little ones running around underfoot!<\/p>\n

TIP #1 :: PLAN OUT YOUR COOKING TIMES<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s face reality: You only have so much room in your oven.\u00a0 You only have so many burners on your stove.\u00a0 You only have so much time to make your meal.\u00a0 How do you make sure that every dish gets made and gets fully cooked?\u00a0 But also, how do you make sure each dish gets done at the right time?\u00a0 10 minutes of simple planning!<\/p>\n

What you need: The Holiday Dinner Planning Pack, a pen or pencil, and your recipes to reference cook times and prep times.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to do it:<\/p>\n

\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
  • Choose the time you want to serve your dinner, let\u2019s say it\u2019s 4pm.\u00a0 Write \u2018Eat and enjoy dinner!\u2019 In this time block on your Cooking Plan Page.<\/li>\n
  • Next, start with your main dish, let\u2019s say it\u2019s your turkey.\u00a0 Write down what time you want your turkey to come out of the oven on your Cooking Plan Page.\u00a0 Let\u2019s say you want it out of the oven at 3:30pm so you have time to carve it.\u00a0 Now, calculate what time you will need to put the turkey in the oven based on when you want it to be done.\u00a0 In this example, it would be about 12:30pm.\u00a0 Write that time on your Cooking Plan Page.\u00a0 Finally, how much time will you need to prep your turkey before it goes in the oven?\u00a0 If you want to give yourself 2 hours to prep your turkey, then write \u2018Start prepping the turkey\u2019 at 10:30am.<\/li>\n
  • Go through your menu items one by one and follow this same process, writing in when you want the dish to be finished or come out of the oven, when it needs to go in the oven, and how long you\u2019ll need to prepare it.\u00a0 As you figure out the timing for each dish, be sure to write it on your Cooking Plan Page.<\/li>\n
  • Continue this process until every dish you want on your holiday dinner table is included in your Cooking Plan Page.<\/li>\n
  • Keep in mind, there are certain dishes, such as pies and cookies, that can be made and baked ahead of time, saving you time on the day of your holiday dinner!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Now, this might sound a little complicated, but it\u2019s really\u00a0so<\/strong>\u00a0simple when you get the hang of it!\u00a0 It has saved me so much time and frustration when it comes to making holiday dinners \u2013 especially on the years when you\u2019re hosting!<\/p>\n

    Trust me, 10 minutes of planning here will save you\u00a0hours\u00a0<\/strong>of panic and headache later!<\/p>\n

    TIP #2 :: DETERMINE THE SERVING BOWL FOR EACH DISH<\/h2>\n

    This one sounds almost too simple and a little too over-the-top planning doesn\u2019t it?\u00a0 Can I let you in on a secret?\u00a0 This one simple tip has saved me a\u00a0lot<\/strong>\u00a0of time, energy and frustration over the years!\u00a0 Not to mention I no longer have to transfer food from one serving bowl to another, then wash the original serving bowl before I can put something else in it!\u00a0 (Yup.\u00a0 Totally been there done that before I tried this!)<\/p>\n

    Determining the serving bowl for each dish on your menu is especially helpful if you have multiple people helping get the food on the table.\u00a0 It just makes things more simple and streamlined while at the same time eliminating frustration.\u00a0 Now, who wouldn\u2019t want that?<\/p>\n

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    \"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

    So, how do you do this?\u00a0 Two simple ways come to mind: The first way is to simply make a list.\u00a0 In fact, you\u2019ll find a page called Selecting the Serving Dish in the Holiday Dinner Planning Pack all ready for you to fill in.\u00a0 All you need to do is write down the different items on your menu, then write the serving dish you want to use next to them.\u00a0 For example: Mashed potatoes\u00a0 \u2013 glass pedestal serving dish.\u00a0 Nothing fancy.\u00a0 You can then tape your list on a cupboard door or on the fridge where everyone can see it and use it.<\/p>\n

    There\u2019s another way you could accomplish this same concept, but it\u2019s a bit more hands-on than simply writing a list.\u00a0 I find this method to be easier to do the day before or first thing in the morning on the day of your dinner before you start cooking.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Take out all the serving dishes you want to use.<\/li>\n
    • Grab a pad of sticky notes and a pen or a sharpie.<\/li>\n
    • Write the name of your menu items down, one on each sticky note. (For example: turkey, mashed potatoes, etc.).<\/li>\n
    • Put the sticky note in or on the dish where you want that food item.<\/li>\n
    • Make sure every item on your menu has a serving dish.<\/li>\n
    • Stack all the serving dishes together to await their food goodness.\u00a0 Just remember to take the sticky note out of the dish before putting the food in!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      <\/div>\n

      TIP #3 :: RECRUIT HELP IN THE KITCHEN<\/h2>\n

      Cooking by yourself is fun, but the holidays are all about family!\u00a0 Don\u2019t only make\u00a0eating\u00a0<\/strong>the dinner a family affair, but make cooking it a family affair, too!<\/p>\n

      How do you do this?<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Does your son or daughter like to make biscuits?\u00a0 Put them in charge of making the biscuits!<\/li>\n
      • Have your little ones help by putting out cheese and crackers or veggies and dip for appetizers.\u00a0 Yes, they will eat as they go, but isn\u2019t that part of the fun of the holidays?<\/li>\n
      • Does your child like to mix things for a recipe?\u00a0 Give them a simple recipe to make \u2013 with your supervision, of course!<\/li>\n
      • Does your child want to learn how to cook or want to help you?\u00a0 Have them work with you as you put together the meal.<\/li>\n
      • Do you have family or friends coming over to help?\u00a0 Have them work on one side dish while you work on another side dish or put the final touches on getting the turkey in the oven.<\/li>\n
      • When the turkey comes out of the oven, have your husband or someone old enough to wield a carving knife take on the turkey while you finish dishing out the rest of the food.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Think outside the box here!\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget: You are not the only one who has to do all the work!\u00a0 Include other people \u2013 even if that means things won\u2019t be done exactly the way you think they should!<\/p>\n

        TIP #4 :: SET THE TABLE EARLY<\/h2>\n
        \n
        \"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

        This tip is pretty self-explanatory.\u00a0 Plus, this is a great task for the younger ones in your family \u2013 with discretion as to how young is too young, though!\u00a0 The aim is to set the table, not break all the dishes!<\/p>\n

        But think about it, plates and glasses and cutlery can sit out for hours.\u00a0 You don\u2019t need to worry about them getting cold or spoiling.\u00a0 If you can get the table set and ready to go before the food preparation takes every moment of your attention, why not get it set up and ready to go?\u00a0 Plus, you can spend a little extra time and make it look especially pretty this way.\u00a0 In recent years, my daughters have taken on this task and they will take their time to make it look especially beautiful \u2013 even adding name cards to each place setting!<\/p>\n

        TIP #5 :: PUT ON SOME HOLIDAY MUSIC AND HAVE FUN!<\/h2>\n

        Don\u2019t forget: The holidays are supposed to be a fun time with friends and family!\u00a0 Start with a mindset of thankfulness, gratitude, and a desire to enjoy the day.\u00a0 No one wants to sit down to a holiday meal feeling all stressed and angry!\u00a0 So, start with the right mindset even\u00a0before<\/strong>\u00a0you start cooking!<\/p>\n

        Some things that help me include:<\/p>\n

        \n
        \"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
          \n
        • Telling my husband my plan for cooking the day before, what I want to accomplish, and where I would like his help.\u00a0 This really sets the expectation between the two of us and gets us on the same page before we even start.\u00a0 (This principle holds true for roommates or parents or children \u2013 whoever you live with and might need help from in the cooking of your holiday meal.)<\/li>\n
        • Start with a grateful mindset.\u00a0 I love the fact that I have the opportunity to make memories with my family by making and eating a big holiday dinner.\u00a0 It\u2019s a blessing that we have all this available to us, not a burden that must be done.\u00a0 Starting with this mindset sets the tone for the entire adventure.<\/li>\n
        • Turn on some music!\u00a0 My favorite is Christmas carols. (Yes, even at Thanksgiving.\u00a0 I\u2019m one of\u00a0those<\/strong>\u00a0people!).\u00a0 Enjoy this time!\u00a0 Music is fun, motivating, and when you don\u2019t know what to say, you can sing along!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          <\/div>\n

          More than anything, remember to give yourself grace!\u00a0 You are cooking \u2013 and cooking with multiple other people in and around the kitchen.\u00a0 Things will not go perfectly!\u00a0 Give yourself grace and exude grace to everyone around you.<\/p>\n

          One last thing: Happy Thanksgiving and an early Merry Christmas, my Friend!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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