Sometimes You Just Want to Scream at the Holidays!

Thanksgiving is wonderful… and a lot. Holidays can make the calmest of us fray. Feeling overwhelmed? Here are a few simple, stress-cutting ideas so you can spend more time enjoying your guests while helping keep the kitchen calm. Or at least calmer!

Tips to make it easier

1. Plan backward from mealtime. Sketch a quick timeline for two days before, the day before, and day of. A little planning keeps everything moving.
2. Share the work. Give helpers clear jobs like drinks, bread and butter, salad, or dishes. One task per person is plenty.
3. Prep ahead. Chop vegetables, measure spices, and make sauces early. Label serving bowls so food lands in the right place without questions.
4. Set the table early. Lay out napkins, water pitchers, trivets, and to-go containers for leftovers. Tomorrow you will be grateful.
5. Make a few things in advance. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, and many sides reheat beautifully. That is smart hosting, not cutting corners. Why not try Chef Kevin’s Holiday Cranberry Chutney? We have his delicious recipe here.
6. You do not have to do it all yourself. Our Thanksgiving Pans To Go are cooked in our kitchen and ready for yours. Mix in a dish or two, or let us handle the whole spread, so you can spend more time at the table.
7. Build in a buffer. Add 20 extra minutes to your plan. Turkeys rest, pies take longer, and guests run late.

Finish with hot coffee or tea, pass out leftovers, and call it a win.Want the homemade taste without the all-day cooking? Take a look at Bistro’s Thanksgiving Pans To Go and pre-order what fits your table.