Simple Tips for Less Stressful Holiday Meals

A Christmas tree made out of spinach, decorated with cherry tomatoes and a blue snowflake frosted cookie on top.

Here come the holidays…!

Whatever you’re planning for the upcoming winter holiday season, food is always central to our celebrations. It can also become a source of stress if we get caught up in all the chatter around us. Are you being bombarded by images of “perfect” holiday meals, “healthified” recipes, art gallery-worthy cookies and, of course, curated images of kids sitting like little angels around the table? Social media often sends us unrealistic images of the holidays. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose sight of what really matters.

In the end, gathering together and sharing food with people who are special is what makes it a celebration. Here are a few simple tips to keep things happy and relaxed for everyone:

❤️ Keep things SIMPLE! Prepared food and easy recipes are time and stress-savers. Don’t worry about creating a masterpiece. Instead, save your energy to be able to enjoy being with everyone at the table. That’s what matters most!

🧡 ENJOYING food is healthy! Keep judgement out of your vocabulary and don’t be afraid to serve and enjoy all your favourite foods just the way they are. If you allow yourself to savour special holiday foods, without guilt or shame, kids will follow your lead. PS It will help them to be relaxed around all other foods too!

💛 PLAN & PREP ahead if you can. Even making one dish or recipe ahead and having it in the freezer can make a huge difference! Keep a frozen entree, a few boxes of crackers or cookies and a log of cheese on hand for last minute drop in guests.

💚 INVOLVE your kids. Even the youngest kids can help bake cookies, wash, chop, and mix food, or set the table. They’ll feel proud to contribute to the holiday meal and might even eat something new if they helped make it.

💙 DON’T COMMENT on anyone’s body or food choices, period. Even your own! It will take away from the celebration and can negatively impact self esteem and children’s evolving relationships with food. Find other things to talk about when greeting people and during meals.

💜 Remember, MEMORIES are the sweetest thing on the table in any celebration.

What’s your favourite holiday food memory?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

🌈 Janet