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Gather All
The Simple Joy of Christmas Dinner
By Ruth Brister
While the holiday season is often seen as a time for exuberance and indulgence in pleasures not usually taken, it can also be a very hectic time. Take a moment to consider these suggestions to help keep your Christmas simple, but a joyful memory to treasure.
Easy Edibles
Menu planning is one of the most important things you will do. Before you can tackle that aspect of dinner, however, you need an idea of how many will be attending. Call at least two weeks before Christmas to confirm your guest list. When you call, remember to inquire about children away at college and what time to expect out of town guests. After you have established how many people will actually be attending, begin to consider what you will serve. Trying to pick and choose recipes that will please everyone is virtually impossible, although you can inquire about any favorite dishes that some of your guests might have. If possible plan your menu around these suggestions. Pick recipes that will give a variety of colors, tastes and textures in the overall menu. Always make sure the food is simple to serve so guests will feel free to help themselves. Gearing Up With Groceries
After you've decided on a menu, make your lists twofold: items that can be bought ahead of time and stored, and perishables that have to be purchased a day or two beforehand. Keep in mind that even though your main course -- whether it be turkey, ham or another selection -- is not prepared until the day of celebration, it is wise to buy it in advance. Waiting until the day before may leave you searching madly at one store and then the next for what you need. This idea can also be applied to other popular cooking items such as sugar, nuts and flour. Don't feel pressure to do everything at home. Picking up breads or even a dessert from the bakery is OK and will lighten the load for you. Checking what you have in the pantry at home will also help when deciding what to buy. Buying in bulk with staple items such as spices, baking goods, or even frozen vegetables is an excellent idea. Any of these items that are not completely used can be kept fresh in the freezer if sealed tightly. Timing Is Everything
