The holidays are promoted as the most wonderful time of the year! Gathering of family and friends, decorating, baking, shopping….eeek! This wonderful time can also be stressful—how can you make it less so? As you make your list and check it twice, think smarter not harder. Keep it simple sister (KISS)! Here are a few tips that might help you de-stress your holidays:

• Say yes when your guests offer to bring a dish.
• Assign tasks to family members, get everyone involved, even little ones can set the table, help stir, or make place cards. 
• Shop ahead, shelf stable items can be purchased weeks before the holiday and fresh items can be purchased several days in advance. 
• Go to Illinois Extension’s website: Turkey for the Holidays  for tips and recipes. 
• Speaking of turkey,  plan for ¾ pound of turkey per person, thaw in the refrigerator: 24 hours per every 5 pounds.
• Bake a turkey breast rather than a whole turkey (bone-in gives better flavor broth).
• Think about oven space—you can cook the turkey the day before, slice and refrigerate and heat in the microwave prior to serving. 
• You can purchase an oven-ready or even a pre-cooked turkey.
• Cook ahead and reheat when possible. Bake pies or buy your favorite.  Assemble casseroles and refrigerate uncooked; bake on the holiday.   
• Cut and prep vegetables, fruits, and garnishes 2-3 days before.
• Set the table the day before.
• Relax the timetable: sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast and enjoy a late afternoon holiday meal.
• There is no law against dessert, cranberry sauce or bread product purchased from the store.
• Or make this easy cranberry recipe.
• Check out our video for mashed potatoes; What’s Cooking with Mary Liz Wright
• Will leftovers be a problem? Reduce the number of dishes or cut the recipe in half.

Source: Mary Liz Wright & Susan Glassman, Nutrition & Wellness Extension Educators. Enjoy the holidays with these easy tips. 2022