bythemethod.com blog

We are in to the last week before Christmas and its all go here in the UK. Shops are crowded, children are driving parents crazy and the TV is full of programmes on how to cook the perfect Christmas dinner.

If you are thinking of doing something different or special this year then I have a couple of tips for you.

Tip 1. Think again. In my experience Christmas dinner is a very stressful affair. The cook has to be in the kitchen for quite a while when everyone else is enjoying their presents. Then there is concern for those who are going to church to make sure nothing burns while they are away. There is a great deal of thinking to be done about when to put everything in the oven – make a list for this – and the cook is very stressed out thinking about all that might go wrong (it’s a good time to practice being positive). This is not a good time to be planning a new recipe! I’m not against new taste experiences but when the pressure is on its wise to save the new experience to another day. Why not plan another (not so stressful) meal for another day when you can try out something new. Sometimes the old favourites done well are the best thing to do.

Tip 2. If you must do something new, practice. Take some time this week to try out the new recipe. If this is too much to fit in then take my Tip 1 to heart.

Christmas is a wonderful time and I love it. Stress can become a real issue though. Be more patient than you usually are. Don’t over stretch yourself. Keep it simple.

Remember the best bit about Christmas (apart from the obvious religious side) is the people not the turkey!