Martha Stewart Doesn't Live Here

Written by Mary Hunt

If there’s anything this season is known for, other than giving thanks and getting presents, it’s the fact that many of us will attend some kind of gathering based around food. And, during this time of year more than any other, many of us will find ourselves in the chef’s hat. If you’re part of the current generation of heat-’n’-eat cooks who didn’t grow up in the classic traditions of food preparation, don’t despair; here are some tips to get you through the season.

Holiday Entertaining

• Instead of everyone in your circle of friends hosting a separate holiday party, make plans to have a progressive dinner. Start with beverages and hors d’oeuvres at the first house, appetizers or soup at the second, main course at the next, and dessert and coffee at the last. It’s an enjoyable way to share the burden – and the glory – and you get to see everyone’s holiday decorations.

• If you’re having two holiday parties or get-togethers at your home, schedule them back-to-back. Serve an identical (or at least similar) menu. It takes the same amount of time to make a double batch. Bonus: All your serving pieces will be out and your house will be clean.

• Be realistic about the menu. Don’t choose recipes that are too elaborate or require last-minute preparation. If you have time only to cook one really blowout course, make it dessert because that’s the last impression everyone will take home with them.

• Organize your refrigerator for easy access to the food you’ll be using most. Put all the appetizer or salad supplies together in a container or on a tray – labeled and ready to use.

• Set the table the day before with everything (including platters) to make sure it all fits and looks attractive. Cover with a clean sheet to keep dust-free.

• Don’t be afraid to use prepared foods. Put a store-bought appetizer on your finest china, garnish it with herbs, and no one will know the difference.

• Instead of a full-fledged dinner party, host an adults-only coffee party where each guest contributes a dessert. This way everyone makes something really special, and the emphasis is on being together instead of one person being up to their kneecaps in preparation and hostessing.

• Be realistic about how much you can do. You don’t have to see everyone between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Save some get-togethers until after the holidays, and you’ll have something to look forward to.

Adapted for Christian Single Magazine from Cheapskate Gourmet by Mary Hunt with Cathy Hollenbeck (Broadman and Holman Publishers, 2001) and from Mary Hunt’s Debt Proof Your Holidays (Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1997).