Dining Out During the Holidays

 

 

 

When it comes to Christmas holidays, it’s not uncommon to find people torn between going out for dinners or whipping up a storm in the kitchen. There are pros and cons to each.  However, ultimately what you settle for has a lot to do with the type of family you are.  Let’s look at both sides of the spectrum:

Relaxation vs. activities together

Going out for dinners or ordering takeout removes the hustle of grocery shopping.  Furthermore, it eliminates cooking and the cleaning up that comes afterwards. Depending on where you live,  you’ll have many options on where you can have dinner.  Affordable prices makes going out for dinner a great option.  Additionally, it will give you more free time to relax. However, not all families see going out as a viable option. For some, preparing meals and trying out new recipes that capture the Christmas spirit is a better option.  It creates an opportunity to bond.  Also, listening to someone go on about a car accident lawyer in Vancouver  doesn’t seem too bad when you’re distracted.

What’s your budget?

Making a meal at home is cheaper.  Even so, people opt to dine out during the holiday because of the perceived convenience. You certainly don’t have to cook or even clean to enjoy a meal.  Furthermore, it frees up time for other things that you enjoy doing. It can even be considered less stressful when you factor in the size of the family too.  However, there are those people who save up all year to have a holiday dinner out.   If you have the budget to eat out go for it. If you don’t, discovering how to make new meals is also a thing.

What does everyone want?

When considering dining out during the holidays or preparing a meal at home, consider everyone in the final decision.  Dining out during the holidays can be fun, but missing a home-cooked meal and leftovers can be disappointing. Have a conversation with everyone, and come up with a list of things that will keep things fun.  A lovely suggestion would be having the best of both worlds.  Consider a holiday destination where you can can feast on a home-cooked meal.

Tips To Plan Your 4th of July Festivities

4th of July festivities

 

Planning your 4th of July festivities can be stressful, right?  The 4th of July is one of the biggest summer celebrations for most of us during the summer. So, if you’re like me you want to serve great food, have plenty of drinks, play games, and put on a great fireworks display. However, hosting family gatherings can get overwhelming.

I have learned over the years to plan my summer celebrations and make lists to ensure I don’t forget anything. Here’s a few other tips that have helped make my 4th of July festivities successful:

Plan Your Menu

Meats – First, if you’re serving food that will take longer to cook, start cooking those foods on your grill or smoker at least an hour before the guest are scheduled to arrive.  Also, burgers, hot dogs and sausages can be started shortly after guests start arriving.  Because they don’t take as long to cook, reserve them for later.  For my 4th of July festivities, you will always find these items on my grill/smoker:

  • Burgers
  • Hot Dogs
  • BBQ Chicken
  • BBQ Ribs
  • Sausages

Side Dishes – Next, I fix as many of my cold dishes the night before and refrigerate them.  Furthermore, I start anything that I can fix in the crockpots on low the night before too. The house smells great in the morning.  I love getting everybody excited about the day and their mouth watering for great food.  Here’s a few ideas for side dishes:

  • Potato Salad
  • Macaroni Salad
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Pasta Salads
  • Steamer Meat
  • Baked Beans
  • Corn On The Cob
  • Green Beans & Corn
  • Greens
  • Grilled squash and zucchini
  • Salad -(I set out various bottles of salad dressing for guests to choose from)
     
Veggies/Chips and Dip – Also, I make a dip for veggies and a dip for chips.  If I serve a salad, I don’t do a veggie tray.  But, I do make this Spinach Dip for my vegetable tray when I do make it.  It goes well with crackers too.

Fruits – Additionally, everybody likes something refreshing on a hot summer day. I love to put a fruit salad together or do fruit skewers.

Desserts – Berries are big in the summer.  As a result, I do several trifles this time of year using fresh strawberries.  Be as simple or elaborate as you would like.  But, I have been known to do a tray of brownies or cupcakes and little cups of ice cream too.

Drinks – It’s important that everyone stay hydrated.  Because liquids are important, make sure you have plenty of water and drinks.  If you’re serving alcohol, beer and cocktails, please have a designated driver for those indulging.

 

4th of July festivities


Plan Your Games – Also, I make sure I have plenty of activities for the kids and adults.  Here’s a few 4th of July ideas that I have used in the past:

  • Patriotic Crafts for the kids
  • Sack Races
  • Turn on the sprinkler
  • Have a water balloon fight
  • Use printables/coloring pages for the kids
  • Horseshoes
  • Badminton or Croquet
  • Bingo
  • Cards
  • Charades

Solicit Co-Hosts – Most importantly, I have learned that I can’t do everything and do it well.  As a result, I ask my family to help with keeping the food flowing, grilling, assisting with children’s crafts, games, music etc. Things go much smoother and it takes some stress off me when I have help.

Last, I like to decorate on a budget.  So, I head to the Dollar Stores to buy items that I didn’t pick up on clearance the prior year.  If your crafty make your own center pieces and luminaries to add festive touches.  Also, the Dollar Store sells festive plates, napkins, mini flags etc.  Don’t forget to head to Michael’s or AC Moore for paint and other supplies that you can’t find at the Dollar Stores for the kid’s activities.

Finally, I hope these 4th of July festivities will help you remove some of the stress of entertaining.  And, I hope they help you plan a great backyard BBQ with family and friends.  Also, what are some of the dishes you prepare or activities you use to entertain guests?

You may also like: 9 Kid’s Patriotic Craft Ideas



11 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

 

holiday stress, Thanksgiving


Gobble Gobble!  The holidays are around the corner and holiday stress levels will start to rise. Thank goodness we no longer head out to the woods to catch our turkeys, pound corn or cook on open fires.  We already have enough things to stress over like what will be on the menu, who’s coming to dinner, what size turkey to buy, who should sit where and the list goes on. 


The holidays can  be a joyous time, but they can be overwhelming at times too.  To avoid unnecessary stress, I use the following tips to reduce holiday stress in my home: [Read more…]