Hosting back-to-back holiday meals is a lot of pressure, especially when a special occasion like Christmas demands extraordinary food. Whether you’re hosting a small casual gathering with friends in the run-up to the big day or hosting Christmas Day or Eve dinner for the entire family, planning is key.
One Month Until Christmas
Your planning should begin in earnest no later than four weeks out from Christmas. This is your moment to select your final recipes and start buying the non-perishable items on your list. Do you prefer the traditional Christmas fare or plan to put a twist on the classics? You can avoid the typical holiday stress by deciding on those things now.
Whether you stick with turkey, prefer ham, or want to experiment with beef wellington, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas. Bacon-stuffed camembert dippers are a special appetizer or side that will let your loved ones know how much you care.
A roasted chicken is a great choice for Christmas dinner!
Once your menu is settled, you can buy the canned and frozen goods on your list. You can also buy longer shelf-life items, such as chocolate and other ingredients so you make sure it is available.
There is also baking you can do in advance, sugar cookies freeze well, as do a range of other baked goods and desserts. If you can’t stand the thought of Christmas without fruit cake you can quickly make a batch and freeze them until it’s time.
Two Weeks Until Christmas
With just two weeks to go, you should write a list of everything you still need (and one for what you already have). You can make your stuffing and cranberry sauce in advance because they are suitable for freezing. You can also make a soup to freeze.
One Week Until Christmas
With one week to go, it’s time to finalize everything. Take stock of what you have made or prepared and put in the freeze, and everything you have already purchased. Use this to make your final list of items to buy and dishes to make.
Create a clear schedule of timings so you can easily manage the day when it arrives.
Leave your fresh food shopping until a few days before your scheduled party or dinner. Before you do this, make room in the cupboards and fridge for your new haul. If you purchased a frozen turkey, you will need to take it out of the freezer with plenty of time.
The Eve
With just one day to go, you should be feeling fairly stress-free and ready to enjoy the festivities. Double check everything is in order. You can set the table in advance, get beverages chilling in the fridge, thaw frozen foods, parboil vegetables, trim the sprouts, and chop or slice anything you will need for tomorrow. If you’re making a cheesecake or two, now is the time to do it. It’s the most popular Christmas dessert in the country, but why not branch out with an egg nog cheesecake?
The Day
You have done all the hard work already, today is simply about following through on your plans and enjoying the day. Just make sure you’re up early enough to get the bird cooking on time.
Call DR J For Help
If you want to really enjoy Christmas without the stress, you can reach out to the professionals and allow the experts to provide your meal. DR J Catering can provide a full hog roast, barbecue, brunch, seafood, and even action stations. Whatever you’re looking for, DR J has a menu to suit.