Steps for Holiday Meal Planning for the Family

The holiday season is almost right on top of us. For many of us, that can evoke an immediate sense of panic. What are we going to plan for the all-important meal? How do we plan for it and not stress out over trying to decide on what to prepare, how to make everyone happy, and if we’re on a strict budget, how do we afford it? Holiday meal planning doesn’t have to be stressful. It can actually be enjoyable if approached in the right way. By just breaking the planning down into smaller easier steps, you’ll find it’s not so daunting after all. Plan the number of guest and extended family you will have. When you write down your guest list, you’ll have a good idea of how many servings you need to prepare (add a few extra servings for last-minute guests or extended family members). As you chose your recipes, check for serving size and double or triple the recipes if you need to. Anyone with special diet needs? Most likely, if your guest are extended family members, then you probably already know if there’s any special dietary needs. This could be anything from vegetarians, to dairy free or even someone with life-threatening food allergies. If you’re not sure, always be sure to check with your guest before you start the meal planning. Most holiday meals include several dishes so there is usually plenty to choose from. Plan that menu! This doesn’t have to be daunting. Think of past holiday dinners and what dishes were a hit. Are there traditional ones ...
Source: Conversations with Dr Greene - Category: Pediatricians Authors: Tags: Perspectives Family Nutrition Parenting Source Type: blogs