With the holiday season about to hit, here’s all you need to be prepared. (I may be overstating things just a bit.)
1. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.
This is a marathon, not a sprint. You are not going to get everything done in one shot—unless you’re some kind of magical unicorn, in which case please leave your wisdom in the comments. For the rest of us mere mortals: build in a little wiggle room. It’s going to be fine. Really.
2. The Freezer is Your Best Friend (and Also Magic).
There’s nothing quite like opening the freezer and seeing future meals just sitting there, all ready to go. Double your recipes now and freeze half. Kugels, soups, cookie dough—whatever you can stash, stash. It’s like a little time capsule of sanity.
3. Say Yes to Help.
When someone asks, “Can I bring something?”—say yes. Say it loud, say it proud. Hate chopping salad? Hand over the greens. Know your cousin makes the world’s best brownies? Let her shine. There are six meals ahead. This is not the time to go it alone like a martyr in an apron.
4. Keep It Simple, Sweetheart.
This might not be the moment to debut a soufflé that involves separating twelve eggs and praying to the culinary gods. Stick with family favorites—the tried and true. If you’re itching to try something new, do it in moderation. One new recipe per meal is a good limit. Trust me: no one wants to remember Rosh Hashanah as the year of the inedible mushroom terrine.
5. Don’t Overcook. (Says the Queen of Overcooking.)
I am deeply guilty of cooking like the holidays are a competitive sport. I don’t stop until I run out of time or ingredients. But let’s be honest: by meal number six, no one’s hungry. Plan with intention. Cook what will be eaten. And then stop. (This is mostly a note to self.)
6. Lists Are Everything.
I walk around with a notebook like it’s a middle-aged security blanket. It has menus, shopping lists, prep timelines, and illegible scribbles I pretend I’ll decipher later. Whether you use an app, a spreadsheet, or a good old notebook—make lists. Your brain will thank you.
7. Lighten Up (Your Menu and Your Mood).
We all tend to go heavy on the carbs and meats during holidays, but it’s good to bring in some color and crunch. Add roasted veggies, fresh herbs, a big bright salad—something that feels like a palate cleanser for the soul. And while you’re at it, lighten your expectations too. Things won’t go perfectly. That’s part of the charm.