December 12, 2007Wrapping and shopping and cooking...Oh, my!Last night, I had my annual pre-Christmas freak out. As much as I have always adored this holiday, I couldn't help but think about all the presents I still need to buy and wrap, the foods I still need to purchase and prepare for our annual gathering with friends, the cards I need to mail, the cleaning I need to do, and the logistics of spending equal time with four sets of parents in three different cities. And I don't even have children! At the risk of sounding like Carrie Bradshaw here, I couldn't help but wonder: Am I the only one who cannot get through the holiday season without a moment of sheer panic over all of the chores I need to accomplish before the big day? When I was a little child, the Christmas season was as smooth and enjoyable as Grandma's chocolate pie. Presents were purchased for me, treats were cooked for me and the house was beautifully decorated for me, with the exception of the Christmas tree, which was a much-anticipated event. That's probably because I didn't have to wrestle with getting the damn thing in the tree stand. Wrapping presents meant spending quality time with Mom, holding out pieces of tape for her or pressing my finger in the right spot while she tied ribbons. And when it came time for Dad to wrap his gifts for Mom, we got to sneak around behind closed doors and help him make the presents look beautiful. On Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, there was no responsibility to prepare dinner or breakfast. All we had to do was leave the cookies and milk out for Santa and do our best to fall asleep despite the excitement. The Christmases of bicycles, sleds and dollhouses gleaming under the tree are frozen in my memory. As an adult, though, the holiday has become so different. But the point of this essay is not to be a grinch. It is to ponder, with a little help from readers, how the holiday season can be easier and more enjoyable with some planning and a few deep breaths. The first thing I did last night (after I calmed down) was I made a list. The truth is, once you hit 30 (for some, it happens even earlier) it helps to just write down all the things you want to accomplish. If you're cooking and entertaining, it helps to prepare food in advance. This year, I made a big batch of veggie quesadillas stuffed with corn, zucchini, black beans and roasted tomatoes and froze them for thawing and serving later. For a big party, don't kill yourself and go broke supplying all the food. Make it a potluck and ask friends to bring a dish. If someone calls at the last minute to ask what they can bring, ask for ice. Or mixers, or bottled waters. If you'll have a house full of company on Christmas morning, consider making a breakfast casserole in advance. Then you can simply pop it in the oven and head back to the living room to enjoy a cup of coffee and time with the ones you love. If you have to make cookies or other treats a few days in advance, invite over a friend or two, crack open a bottle of wine and make it a chance to catch up. Those are just a few tips I came up with to ease my holiday stress. If YOU have other ideas, please share! |
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Comments
[December 12, 2007 11:41 AM]
KimMy mother-in-law makes fudge and a huge variety of cookies for Christmas. She freezes them batch by batch as she makes them so that when guests stop by or the family arrives, all she has to do is refill the assortment on her serving platter. It only takes a few minutes for them to thaw and reach room temperature!
As for your list idea - that's one good way to stay organized. You could also break out the calender sometime in November and write all of your holiday events on there that you know of. Mark the days off like kids do counting down the days until Santa comes! For those people who are visual, it helps maintain an itinerary of sorts so tasks don't get forgotten. Don't feel bad though, you have plenty of company with those of us that are time-crunched!
[December 12, 2007 12:54 PM]
RichTravel is given for any hoilday with me. All my family lives out of state, and for some reason they don't think roads work both ways.
Its frustrating, but I guess a necessary evil. At least we never have to entertain, just drive somewhere.
[December 12, 2007 3:17 PM]
AutumnThis is my first year to have Christmas at home... no traveling required.
Since I'm new at this, I'm making my own traditions. I'm having a Christmas Eve snack buffet... sausage balls, pigs in a blanket, 7 layer dip, etc.
Since my parents will be with us for Christmas, my Mom is giving me a Christmas gift by volunteering to cook breakfast Christmas morning. Then, she and I are going to cook Christmas dinner together.
Lindsey, the list idea is something I've been doing since my early twenties... I just prefer the list to keep me focused and organized. I don't know what I'd do without it!
[December 12, 2007 4:58 PM]
Lindsey : →http://blogs.roanoke.com/fridgemagnet/That sounds like a wonderful time, Autumn. I like the snack buffet idea and your mom's offer to make breakfast. If she needs any ideas, I'll have a couple of breakfast casserole recipes in next week's column!
[December 12, 2007 5:40 PM]
Amy Hanek : →http://www.houseonthegladehill.blogspot.comMy parents call it "heavy hor'sderves" (okay - I am sure I spelled THAT wrong), I call it "Happy Hour". We all bring something and the pressure's off in supplying a main course.
This year we are also having a Christmas Cookie exchange. This will serve as desserts we DIDN'T have to make going home and even desserts to enjoy while we are visiting. This can be a great way to provide variety without quantity as well.
[December 12, 2007 7:51 PM]
DebbieFor the past few years, I've been lucky enough to have enough vacation time saved up, to take the week before Christmas off. Everyone wants the week of, no fighting over the week before. I will be grocery shopping and cooking up a storm, freezing what I can. Instead of dinner Christmas day, I will be hosting dinner for my family on Christmas Eve, and then take leftovers for sandwiches, and a big pot of soup to my mom's on Christmas day. It's a new tradition I want to start. We can open presents leisurely and won't have to worry that day about cooking. I'm looking forward to the breakfast casserole recipes. I would like to find a good one to fix for my daughter and son in law.
[December 13, 2007 9:46 AM]
Lindsey : →http://blogs.roanoke.com/fridgemagnet/Debbie, I LOVE the soup idea. It reminds me of my sister-in-law's Christmas Day meal: Chili. They keep the pot on the stove all day and go back as often as they want. It's something that can be made ahead, too. I'm taking the week off next week, too. Unfortunately, I'll be traveling instead of relaxing at home!
[December 13, 2007 11:04 AM]
DebbieHave a safe trip and a wonderful Christmas!
[December 13, 2007 4:16 PM]
JennyFor three years now I've invited friends over to have a pre-Christmas wrapping party. I provide a snacks, tape, scissors, and they bring their presents and wrapping paper. It's wonderful fun to get such a chore done with people I want to see and hardly have time for once the Christmas family rush hits.
[December 13, 2007 5:05 PM]
AutumnJenny,
That's a fabulous idea! I might have to start something like that. It would be a much more pleasant way to do some of the tedious chores.