Let's face it. The holidays can really be exhausting. With gifts to buy, places to go, and people to see there isn't always time to stop and enjoy the events meant to celebrate the season! Hosting parties, holiday baking and potluck events can make the season even more stressful. Over the years I've developed a set of lists which help me hold onto my sanity and host events with relatively little stress and mayhem. I'll admit I'm a list person, but I've found that a good list is like an assistant around the kitchen. My lists keeps me focused on what needs to be done and when. My lists assure me that all is going according to schedule and they assure me of an organized event which I can actually enjoy! Armed with a notepad, pencil, your favorite recipes and some attention to detail, you too can calmly host your holiday event. Let me tell you how!
What you need to do is make a very detailed list for each event you are hosting, dish you are bringing to an event or general baking for the season. This won't be just any list, this is a SUPER list made up of five sublists. Now you might think this is a bit over the top, but trust me - if you follow these guidelines you'll feel more in control and able to relax knowing that everything will get done, on time and without much insanity. Of course this is much more applicable to events that you are hosting. But if your schedule is quite hectic, even whipping up a batch of your favorite fudge can be overwhelming, and that's where this list can really come in handy.
The first list is the Master List of your responsibilities for the event. This list contains a menu of all the dishes you plan on making for the event (if you want to get event more detailed, list the serving piece or platter you plan on using for each dish). Of course this list will be quite short if you are not hosting, but go through the motions anyway. Also list any extra responsibilities you may have for the event. (For example, your sister is hosting Thanksgiving. You are to bring a green salad. But she also wants to borrow your carving knife and a big platter for the turkey. You also know that she expects you to bring at least two bottles of wine. Your Master List should list not only the salad but the wine and the other items you
