Comments on: 9 Ways to Reduce Holiday Hosting Stress

By: Kim Jacobs

Kim Jacobs — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 21:21:38 +0000

Here in Australia we don’t have Thanksgiving like you do. Christmas is our big celebration and we are lucky that it’s in summer. Chritmas lunch is usually a cold buffet – usually ham, seafood, salads. Rarely do we slave over hot stoves, though we may swnd the men out to barbecue (grill) some sausages or chicken, depending on whether we have a fire ban on or not.

In the past, when I’ve hosted for a big group of family, I put out a buffet and people come and go during the day – eating when they want rather than a sit down meal.

Far less stress!!

Kim

By: Michele

Michele — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 05:35:01 +0000

In reply to Amanda Crawford.

I have cooked it for 32 years since my mom died. This year my hubby and I are going to Cracker Barrell. Just not up to cooking or the drive from San Antonio to Austin for family. But I’m doing Christmas. Tip.. cook turkey slow over night after browning breast down. Juicy!!

By: Tabatha Thomson

Tabatha Thomson — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 23:22:45 +0000

My mom gave me the best advise a few years back. Deep clean the bathrooms, pick up the house and do the rest after everyone leaves. This makes it so I clean once instead of twice. It really helps. With the food I have someone else bring the desserts and roasters are my friend. I use them for the sides and this keeps my oven for the meat and all gets done at the same time. Usually my out of town family does the cleaning up for me, Which is a godsend.

By: Sarah Simmons

Sarah Simmons — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 22:13:22 +0000

Love these ideas. I’m hosting Christmas this year for my husband’s side of the family, and I’ve been a bit nervous. Thanks for giving these great tips!

By: Amanda Crawford

Amanda Crawford — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 20:21:43 +0000

Yes!!! Couldn’t agree more with Gina! Love the post! We outsource as much as possible. If your in Austin, Texas Honey Ham is our go to for Thanksgiving ham and then Terry Blacks for a fun take on smoked turkey. We are also adding in Terry Blacks mac n cheese because it’s amazing. Xoxox

By: shannon zappelli

shannon zappelli — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 20:01:36 +0000

hi, gen! I have been following your blog for a while and i love it! for thanksgiving the past couple years my family (which for thanksgiving is usually pretty small: me, mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa. the rest of my family is out of state) we order a thanksgiving meal from Olivers (a local store in northern California) and we all hang out together and have a great time! but this year we are not celebrating Thanksgiving with my grandparents because we are celebrating Christmas the weekend after…i still have a lot of shopping to do…

By: Anais Vega

Anais Vega — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 19:22:15 +0000

My sister usually does thanksgiving dinner the night before which might sound weird but it takes away the stress for her and I (I do help her) because it’s not actually thanksgiving and it gives us time to relax and help my grandmother when cooking and doing everything for the big holiday dinner with everyone. This year my mom, sister, and I decided to not do it this year and take a vacation, we are headed to Seattle and having thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant. I do love these ideas which will be taken to Christmas dinner since Christmas is usually the most stressful time of year for us.