trying to simplify Thanksgiving
By Kelli M
@spiderdust (14756)
San Jose, California
November 6, 2016 1:06pm CST
The holidays are more stressful for me than they used to be, now that the stepkids are here every Thanksgiving and Christmas vacation. You'd think all of the extra people at home means more hands to do the work, but that's not exactly how it goes. I keep trying to find ways to make things more streamlined and less stressful, but it's difficult to prep ahead of time when I have a full fridge (due to extra people at the house all week that need to be fed) and lots of extra chaos. To top that off, we have a new baby this year.
Sometimes I think Thanksgiving would be much better this year if we went to a restaurant, but that's expensive. I could use some suggestions.
3 people like this
5 responses
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
6 Nov 16
An easy way to go would be to order the meal prepared by a local grocery. Not so expensive as eating out, you get to keep the leftovers, but you do not have the stress, unless you choose to make more than they offer. Usually it is meat, side dishes, and a pie or two for dessert.
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
11 Nov 16
I've considered this in the past, but it takes up SO much room in the fridge. Plus my gluten free daughter can't eat half of it. It's not a terrible idea though.
@CookieMonster46 (13453)
• United States
19 Nov 16
The more people you have the less help you get that is for sure, the easiest time I ever had was ordering the meal from the grocery store and heating everything up. But then there is the clean up and putting it all away, if you have no help still a lot of work.
@Raine38 (12387)
• United States
6 Nov 16
We do not have kids, so I think I do not have any good suggestions that involve kids. However, we are spending Thanksgiving in Mexico. Like our last chance to go somewhere warm before the winter cold season finally hits us. We were able to book affordable airfare and hotel bundle, all meals are paid for so there will be no cooking and washing for me. I am not sure how this trip will go for us but I guess I can share how it went when we get back.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
6 Nov 16
I hear 'ya. On the years that our family all come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I wouldn't trade it, but it really is exhausting. I love cooking our big Christmas Eve dinner and my daughter helps some, but a lot of it I can do the day before.
At Thanksgiving, I'd rather eat out. We might do that this year with our son and grandson. I've found, though, that sometimes you just have to ask for help. It might not be the way we'd do it (LOL), but at least it gets done. Best wishes with your holidays!
@JudyEv (382001)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 16
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia so I don't really know what to suggest. I guess I'd be looking for things I could do ahead of time - and trying to delegate some of the extra chores involved.
