Plan Christmas Dinner Successfully

[TmT]

I came across this and laughed but someone may need instructions on how to plan a holiday dinner.

Planning a Christmas dinner, holiday dinner or other large gathering isn't complicated, but the more forethought you give it the easier it will be. The key is to do as much work ahead of time as you can, so you and your guests can enjoy yourselves the day of the party.

Instructions:
Difficulty: Easy
Things You'll Need
Holiday Baking Books
Holiday Cookbooks
Low-fat Cookbooks
Candleholders
Dinner Candles
Holiday Decorations
Cake Pans
Cookie Sheets
Napkin Rings
Napkins
Peelers
Roasting Pans
Table Centerpieces
Tablecloths

Steps
Step One Decide how many guests you'll have at least two weeks beforehand, and assess how much space you have, both at the table and in your home.

Step Two Compose your menu at least two weeks ahead of time as well. Plan for each person to eat between one and two pounds of food.

Step Three Organize the menu into to-do lists, including all preparation steps. 

Step Four Clean out as much of the refrigerator as possible one week ahead. Be ruthless in your decisions about what to toss. The more free space in the fridge, the better.

Step Five Make the big trip to the grocery store a week ahead as well. Most items, with the exception of salad greens and some fruit, will keep for a week.

Step Six If you're baking cookies for the party, prepare the cookie dough in advance and freeze it. If you're serving a decorated cake, make and bake the cake parts a week or more ahead of time, wrap them well in plastic wrap and freeze them until the day before. Frozen cakes are easier to decorate than thawed ones anyway.

Step Seven Set the table and ready your home two days ahead, if seating people at a table for dinner. This will give you enough time to buy or borrow things you may need.

Step Eight Consider serving the meal as a buffet if you want to serve more guests than your table will seat. Set the table against a wall near the kitchen and use it as the serving area. For buffet service, make sure to divide all the food into small portions.

Step Nine Peel and cut all vegetables two days before. Carrots and potatoes can be stored in ice water in the fridge; onions, celery and other vegetables must be kept dry and wrapped well.

Step Ten Make as many dishes the day before as you can. Prepare and chill desserts, make seasoning mixes and make or start accompanying sauces.

Step Eleven Trim and ready your roast beef or turkey for the oven, if applicable. Place it in the roasting pan and chill until needed. Don't season it ahead of time, though.

Step Twelve Plan your guests' arrival to give you enough time to cook.

[Stinkerbell]

Step Eight should read : Consider reconsidering and asking your guests to stay home this year and then disregard steps 9 - 12.  LOL   :!!

[CindyLouWho]

That was good & I like the new Step 8 soooooooo much better than the other 1 !!   

[TmT]

That was good & I like the new Step 8 soooooooo much better than the other 1 !!   

lmao.. I think they all are funny!!