How to Plan Your Holiday Meal!

Hello and thank you for reading my article, First off I want to wish everyone a happy holidays ahead of time! Whatever holiday you are celebrating whether it be Kwanzaa or Christmas having a good game plan is key to enjoying your own party.
1st Step-Plan your menu and figure out what recipes you want to use.
Try not to go overboard and stress yourself out.
If you have some family member that has a great recipe or is a good cook ask them to bring something to ease the workload off yourself.
Also figure out about how many people are going to be coming.
2nd Step-Figure out what can be made ahead of time and what has to be made the day of the party.
Cranberry Sauce, Soups, and any cold items are perfect to make a day or 2 ahead of time.
You never want to do mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes ahead of time or else it will get gluey and is hard to re-heat.
You can also Peel potatoes and hold them in water, and blanch vegetables so they only have to be re-heated.
3rd Step- A few days before your holiday meal, double check you have all equipment and then go grocery shopping and equipment shopping if needed for pots and pans etc..
Do not wait until the last minute or the store will be a mob scene.
Make a list of everything you need before you go and double check it with your recipes.
I even suggest to bring your recipes with you just in case.
Try to organize your list by department in the grocery store for example put all dairy products together.
4th Step-Day before the party, Wake up early and call in sick you got a lot of cooking to do! Working hard today will make it so you can enjoy the party tomorrow.
You should plan it so that you do everything except potatoes, and Turkey and whatever specific dish you may be serving that does not hold well.
Good news is the potatoes can be made 1-2 hours before your guests arrive and held hot.
5th Step- Day of the party, Wake up 5-6 hours before the party and season and stuff the Turkey and put it in the oven.
Put the potatoes on for mashed potatoes and watch the Macy's day parade.
Then mash your potatoes, cleanup and still have an hr or 2 before anyone has even arrived and your cleaned up ready to go! All you have left to do is wait for the turkey or ham or whatever it may be to cook and enjoy your party.