If you’re hosting a crowd but don’t have the time, energy or money to do everything yourself, a #potluck #holiday #feast is the way to go. Just set up a Google signup sheet so that your meal doesn’t wind up with duplicate dishes, says Kitchn— or worse, starve any guests with dietary restrictions. You can handle the main course and/or a signature beverage, then proved mise en place for all of the donated dishes. Not only can a potluck keep a large meal simple, it can help groups share holiday favorites and become a centerpiece of the festivities’ conversation. #HolidayTips
Tag: feast
Make a Memorable Holiday Feast on the Cheap
Is it your turn to host a #holiday feast? To make things memorable without breaking the bank, streamline your menu, says GoBankingRates. Pick a hearty main course, a couple of side dishes and a dessert. “A full menu may look appealing and easy to accomplish now, [but] remember that you may be busier when it’s time to begin cooking,” the story warns. You can feed family and friends on $5 to $15 per person if you plan ahead and work backward from an established budget. Keep the guest list small to keep costs — and the labor necessary to cook, clean and entertain — at a minimum. #HolidayTips
Be Thankful, Get Organized
The holidays are rapidly approaching. And while you may have thought you’d have “everything” done ahead of time, the stark reality is that a few things may have escaped your attention until now.
It’s rare for a person to have every single thing completed by the internal deadlines they themselves have created. Be #thankful if you were able to get the jump on a couple of things on your to-do list already.
As for the responsibilities that loom in the weeks ahead, now’s a fine time to get started. You have nine days left to prepare for #Thanksgiving — more than enough time to plan a lavish celebration.
Start by planning the feast itself, Me in Order says. List everything you plan to make and anything that you’ll ask guests to bring or buy ready-made. Then, go and buy the the ingredients while the stores still have them.
Early rumors of supply chain shortages of turkeys and other Thanksgiving staples appear to have been overblown. But even if something is missing from your list, you still have time to get creative and suffuse your feast with decadent seasonal alternatives.
You may also wish to do a quick kitchen #cleanup and #decluttering to #streamline next week’s heavy usage. Locate the specialized tools you’ll need (such as that potato-masher) and keep them within easy reach.
The table and home are another question. If you’re the host, you may wish to do a day’s worth of cleaning and decorating. If you happen to find items that you no longer need or want as you #organize, you can #donate them to ClothingDonations.org.
#Donating lightly used clothing and household items to ClothingDonations.org is one of the easiest ways to #givethanks to #veterans, since the proceeds from the resale of those goods go directly toward veteran health care, housing and other support programs.
This year, be #thankful for the bounty that you do have and the ability to again gather in person relatively risk-free. Share that bounty with your family, friends and fellows throughout the holiday season.
Ideas for the Thanksgiving Potluck
Cooking up a Thanksgiving feast is a big job, so it’s not unusual for the host to turn it into a potluck or request that certain guests bring a dish to pass. If you’re suddenly on the hook to bring a side, Southern Living offers plenty of last-minute recipes that will keep the crowd coming back for seconds, including glazed carrots, skillet mac-and-cheese, corn pudding and no less than five styles of mashed potatoes. And if you’re really stuck for something to bring but not at home in the kitchen, you can always put together a cheese tray or bread basket to complement the dinner.
Easter Brunch on a Budget
Taking the family out for an Easter brunch can get costly, with restaurants competing to offer the most lavish seafood towers, made-to-order omelets and carvery plates. It’s simple to stage a family feast on a budget, however, if you shop wisely. Watch for deals on mainstays like ham and leg of lamb; crowd-pleasing sides such as deviled eggs, asparagus and scalloped potatoes are in-season and inexpensive to prepare. Check out sites such as the Food Network for seasonal ideas, and you’ll be able to create a spring banquet for a fraction of what you’d spend at the local buffet.