Planning is Everything

For me, I love to plan things out no matter how big or small the event is.  The farther the date the early I start with putting those ideas down on paper.  In preparing for holiday meals my pet peeve is to plan a month or two in advance.  That's right I said a month or two.  It allows me to make adjustments as I go, decide what my decorations will be, how much time I need to prepare, and how much I need to add to my budget. 

I use this type of planning for big dinners that include 20 or more people. Take Christmas, this is my month to host my family over for the holiday meal so before Thanksgiving even takes place at my sisters, I already know what I will be cooking. Since my husband likes to grill, he cooks all the meats and I season and prep them and make sure that he has all his resources like full propane tanks, coals, foil, pans etc. so he can get started.  Keeping him ahead of my plans makes it comforting to know he won't be dragging his feet at the last minute.
 
My family knows that I go all the way in making sure that everything is together all the way down to having enough of trash bags, hand soap, paper towels, and toilet paper.  I survey my pantry, dig out old recipes and put them with my grocery list so that I pick up everything I need.  Since timing is everything in your planning always consider the prep time on your recipes.  Getting set up is very helpful and you want to be sure that you have enough of measuring cups, spoons and any other tools you need on hand.  Once all the food purchases have been done, its time to pick up decorations for the table, candles, tablecloths, disposal plates, cups, utensils and other items Iwill need to make the house festive for the day.  Three days before I start cooking, I make a check off list.  Have you ever start cooking and forgot to fix something?  I have and it has either held up the meal or kept me in the kitchen when everyone else is sitting down eating.  The check list works great for me so that I can enjoy the feast with everyone.

Check out this site for weekly meal planning to help save you time and make room to do more fun things. http://www.mealsmatter.org/MealPlanning/MealPlanner/  Be sure to print out the conversion chart listed on the Planning Tool tab on this website. 

I have been doing this for a long time so I consider myself a pro at it.  If this is your first time, don't be afraid to ask for help from family and friends.  These type of gatherings should be something enjoyable for you and your guest.  As time goes on and you have done this for awhile, you will see that getting all these logistics together requires a well plan process.  Planning keep you organized and on track.  It also makes time in the kitchen less stressful. 

When you want to impress your family and friends with a special dinner, plan it out and not jump in feet first.  Rushing and being unprepared can cause all sort of problems and brings frustration to you.  Select a menu that is not complicated and something you can do with ease.  Don't try to cook something new that you never made for a big group.  Practice the recipe several times before you try to serve it at a large gathering.  Remember the key is to show your good cooking and planning skills and not the results of a dish gone bad.

Let me hear from you and join me as a follower me on this blog.  Hope this has been helpful to you.  Send your comments and questions and I will get back with you with an answer. 

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