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A Holiday Cooking Game Plan
by Deb Vaughn
I have found that if I get some kind of 'game plan' prepared by
mid-November, I will be able to relax and experience more of the true
meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I use these simple steps to help
me plan ahead for this busy, yet meaningful season in the life of my
family.
First, I update my wall calendar making sure I include everything in the
family schedule: kids' sports, music lessons, rehearsals, concerts,
Christmas church services, business travel, parties, cookie exchanges,
family dinners, church pot lucks. Whatever it is, I get it down on one
master calendar. I can't plan for it if I don't know its coming!
Second, I compile a list of events where I will need to provide the food
or share in its preparation. I make this in the form of a spreadsheet,
so that I can easily update it.
Third, I draft menus or possible baked goods for each event in step #2.
This is also entered on the spreadsheet!
Next, I tag the recipes I will need. Post-it notes work great! I note
the cookbook or file that has the recipes I need on you guessed it my
spreadsheet. (See example below)
Finally, I print a copy of my spreadsheet, get out my personal calendar
(known by my children as "Mom's brain", and begin to figure out how I am
going to do this without a personal secretary, maid, concierge and
laundress! Working backwards, I plan shopping and baking days around all
the other appointments and commitments. Some weeks are already looking
pretty harried, and it can be disconcerting. After all, there are still
meals to prepare on top of all of this holiday cooking and baking!
About the author
Deb Vaughn is a wife and mother of two daughters (and three cats.) In
addition to volunteering at school and church, she attends a weekly
Bible study, and serves in a community AIDS ministry. A trained musician
and music therapist, she plays flute and piano, and sings on her
church's praise team. She maintains a web site for her family and her
younger child's school . Her web pages on once-a-month cooking reflect
her offbeat sense of humor, yet a very practical approach to cooking for
her family. Deb learned to cook at her Mom's elbow, and as one of 7
children, had many opportunities to 'practice' her kitchen skills. She
and her husband Ken have been married over 15 years. When she remembers
to sit and put her feet up, (that is, when the clutter and toys are
cleaned off the couch!) she enjoys cross-stitching and quilting.
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