Who doesn’t love the holidays? They’re fun and full of all sorts of cookies, meals, and gifts galore. But, of course, there’s going to be a little spice with the sugar. Between plenty of people coming in from out of town, nowhere to put all your family, and the kids running wild, where are you going to find time to cook? Amidst all the chaos, just one thing can make all the difference (like a holiday cookbook).
So, don’t let the stress of what to bring or cook keep you from enjoying your next holiday gathering; with these delicious recipes you can have great meals for the holidays. Be sure to download our Backyard Life holiday cookbook here! And, as an added bonus, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite anti-stress tips for you and your time in the kitchen.
How to Stress Less in the Holiday Kitchen
1. Prep is key
The more you prepare, the less you have to worry the day of. If you’re making some delicious meals for the holidays, freeze what you can and make the rest as far in advance as possible.
2. Remember to say “no”
It’s okay to say “no” and to remember to take some downtime for yourself. Just because your great Aunt Brenda wants you to make a green bean casserole doesn’t mean you have the time to do that. Don’t take on more than you can handle.
3. Create a checklist
Checklists are a great way to keep yourself on track and to make sure you’ve got what you need when you need it. Stay on top of what needs to go in the oven next and what you need to get started on when. No need to stress if you can take a quick look at the list and see it all laid out.
4. Don’t be afraid to delegate
If you’re the family chef, be sure to include everyone in your meals for the holidays this season. There’s no need to do it all on your own, especially when delegating can take away some of the stress. Give your nieces the job of rolling out cookie dough. Tell your sons to take care of the veggie chopping. Delegation is better for everyone.
