How To Keep Your Good Intentions This Christmas Season

Christmas is often the holiday when we say we're going to focus on family, but our intentions keep getting lost. It's busy. It's hectic. There's not enough time to get it all done. Etc. Etc. Etc.

If this sounds like your family, it's time to take back the season and stick to your good intentions. It's not impossible. It's not even that hard. Let's take a look at several issues we struggle with during Christmas and see if there might be a solution or two.

Expense

This issue makes the top of the list because it often colors the rest of the celebration before we can even get our plans underway. Everything seems alright until the money starts to disappear. All our good intentions to stay focused on family and fun start to fade away when money gets tight.

There is only one solution - budget. Perhaps a budget seems like too much work, but it's the only way to keep the focus where it belongs. You will have to spend some time with paper, pencil, and some hard choices, but it will be worth it, trust me.

Create a budget that won't just postpone the pain. This means put a limit on ALL spending, including the credit cards. To avoid the January surprises, you may even want to pull together some envelopes with spending cash designated for gifts, food, drinks, decorations, donations, and whatever you need for your
Christmas celebration.

A budget specifically set for each individual item not only helps reign in spending, but it also helps eliminate that last minute spending spree because you forgot if you took care of X, Y, or Z.  Plan your budget like you plan your Christmas dinner menu. Be precise in your budgeting and you will find it relieves a lot of stress, giving you time and energy to focus on what you wanted to - family and fun, remember?

Exercise

No, you are not going to focus on losing weight during Christmas. Instead, you want to think about staying active every day and enjoying some play time with your family and friends.

Some of the stress you feel during the holidays is due to the fact that you are putting your health on a back-burner. You may be eating too much of the wrong foods and skipping exercise because you're too busy. Whatever the reason, you should never omit exercise from your daily routine, especially during the holidays!

Even if you can't make it to the gym or spend an hour on the treadmill, you can stay active. Several short walks a day will help clear the mind and get the blood pumping. You will burn a few calories, but most importantly you will lift your spirits. It's amazing what a little boost in those endorphins, the feel good hormones, will do for a person. 

And, don't forget the family! If spending more time with your family is part of what Christmas is all about, then a little play goes a long way toward that goal, too. Exercise to feel good, but make exercise fun to include your kids. Before the day gets too busy, get outside and have a game of tag. Shoot some buckets. Get a game of field hockey going. Do somersaults. Rollerblade. Ride your bike. Snowshoe. Build a snowman. Whatever you can do to be active and have some laughs will get you well on the way to your goal of spending time enjoying your family this Christmas.

Entertainment

You've got your budget set and you have lots of ideas to stay active and healthy. But, there are going to be times spent inside, too. Of course, you'll be gathered around the table during some of the Christmas season enjoying delicious meals and sharing stories. This is all wonderful because your goal is to connect with your family, but how you spend your time is important.

One great way to make your moments together count even more is to plan activities that involve the whole family working together on projects. These can be simple crafts like creating handmade gifts or decorations to share, to larger scale projects like cooking and serving dinner at a community shelter or church.

If your family is musically inclined, you may want to join a caroling group, church choir, or band. Maybe you would like to help decorate the church. Your town may have a youth group that pitches in and decorates the store windows or city hall.

Give some thought to what you, your family, and your community needs and figure out a way to help get those needs met. Gift trees are popular to help get gifts for families who can't afford to buy gifts. Food drives are another easy to organize an event that your family could do. Plan a movie night at your local theater and ask attendees to bring a new toy to give to kids spending Christmas in a hospital or away from home. There are lots of ways you can do good deeds and find lots of entertainment for your family at the same time.

Having a happy holiday often means finding a balance between a busy schedule, tight budget, and family fun. You can do it all, but it takes planning, a few strategies, and lots of love. Merry Christmas!

Use These Tips For A Healthy Christmas Party

Get On Board With A Healthy Christmas Work Party

The annual Christmas Party notice is posted on the bulletin board. Your reaction is to cringe. Healthy eating was finally a habit! Your kitchen is stocked with all the foods your diet requires, and now THIS.

Take heart! There are ways you can enjoy a Christmas party and stay on track with your diet. Whether you are on a weight loss program, a heart health program, a diabetes program, or any other nutrition program, there are ways you can enjoy the party. Here are a few ideas to bring that holiday spirit back while staying on track with your diet.

Sign Up

This is probably the single most important way to keep the Christmas party healthy and fun at the same time. Yes, it's extra work for you, but avoiding the problem is even harder work. If you leave the planning to others, you may not have a choice of healthy foods on the table. When you see that sign-up sheet on the bulletin board, put your name down as soon as possible. If you're early in the planning stages, you may be able to direct the menu.

Bar Time

You will typically find a bar set up for a Christmas party. There may be soft drinks, wine, beer, or liquor for mixed drinks. Perhaps there is a punch bowl. If you are part of the planning committee, be sure to insist on plenty of water, juice, club soda, and sparkling water. Offer to make the punch using fresh juice and sparkling soda or water and skip the alcohol. If you are not on the committee, you will want to prepare yourself. Overindulging at the bar is often caused by thirst, so eliminate the thirst by filling your tummy with good fresh  juice and water before and during the party. Alternate any sugary or alcohol drinks you have with large glasses of water.

Eat Ahead

Trying to stay on a diet is difficult enough, but if you're watching the clock tick at work, knowing that at a certain time there will be acres of food and drinks laid before you, it's even harder. That's why you want to plan to eat before you get to the party. Yes, it's fun to look forward to all that food, but your empty stomach will make decisions you won't find so fun in the long run. If your party starts after work, bring a good, big lunch with you that suits your dietary needs. If your party begins at mid-day, eat a hearty healthy breakfast and have a snack just before the party begins. You're not being a 'party pooper.' You're being smart.

Peruse Then Choose

When you walk into the party, stop and take a look around. Your senses may be overwhelmed at first, but if you slowly peruse the spread, you will begin to see what you need, and what you don't need. Walk along the tables, go up to the bar, and make a few mental notes. The trouble with an over-loaded plate usually occurs when you start at the beginning of the table and just start scooping up servings. If you don't know what's ahead, how can you choose what you want to eat? So, take a look around, then go back and selectively serve up a plate that suits you and your diet.

Divided Desserts

This is probably the easiest of all the strategies to stay on track with your diet. Most everyone at the party will get to the dessert table and let out a little sigh. They wish they could indulge, but can't. That's your cue to choose a 'dessert buddy' and divide one of those delicious treats between you. If you were vigilant with the other strategies, you have probably saved yourself some wiggle room for dessert. However, if sugar is forbidden, this table may be off limits. That takes us back to the first strategy - sign up. If you are part of the planning committee, make sure you propose an alternative for the usual sweet dessert.

The average Christmas party is full of dietary obstacles. Getting involved with the planning and taking a few steps to avoid the pitfalls will allow you to not only attend the party, but to enjoy it. Merry Christmas!

How To Choose A Healthier Holiday Season Banquet And Bar

During the last several months of the year, most of us have a reason or two to celebrate. The holidays can include religious observances, gift giving, programs, music, and perhaps dancing. But, at the center of these festivities usually lurks a table piled high with all sorts of indulgences - we're talking food and drink galore!

Yes, it's a party and you want to join in and enjoy everything. However, if you're like most people, you have limits. How can you have fun and stay on track with your healthy living? Let's take a look at a few ideas to keep you focused while partaking in the celebrations.

The Banquet

Don't let those delicious dishes hypnotize you. You're in charge here! You have your dietary limits clearly defined, so take a deep breath and ask yourself; "What food on this table really suits my healthy goals?"

Approach the holiday table slowly, with caution. Help yourself to small portions of those foods that are a part of your healthy diet. Enjoy. Give yourself time before choosing another morsel from another offering. Chew slowly and savor each tasty bite. Keep choosing foods that you know are nutritious.

After you've sampled the foods that are a healthy part of your diet, stop. Wait for these healthy foods to settle in and satisfy your appetite. If you're still hungry, go back for more foods that fit your diet. The idea is to fill your tummy with good, healthy foods before giving into temptation. If you have been practicing nutritious eating habits, you probably already have your body and digestive system trained to want good food. Giving your body the good food first may just satisfy your cravings.

But, we're only human. The delicious aromas of certain not-so-healthy foods may just keep calling your name. Even after you've eaten a fair share of healthy foods, you may succumb to those forbidden goodies. Go ahead and take one. Or, better yet, offer to cut one in half, or thirds, or quarters, and share with someone. Chances are pretty good that you'll find someone going through the same holiday dieting struggle. They will be happy to share.

When it comes time for dessert, there really isn't much you can do to escape the indulgence. You don't want to offend Grandma and not join in the praise when she serves up her family's secret recipe. But, you can limit yourself. Even Grandma understands the phrase; "I'll just have a sliver." You may end up having more than you wanted, but if you planned for this by watching what you ate during dinner, you should count this as a victory.

The Bar

As you're strolling past the buffet filled with all those delicious appetizers, picking just those morsels that fit your healthy eating habits, someone hands you a glass of wine or a cocktail. Maybe you take another pass at the buffet and suddenly your glass is empty. But, the host is Johnny-On-The-Spot and before you know it, you have another drink in your hand.

The holidays are a time of rejoicing. Food and drink are two ways we celebrate. However, most of us want to keep our caloric intake, sugar intake, and alcohol intake to a minimum, for many reasons.
Just like the banquet, the bar offers opportunities to enjoy, but also to stay on track with our healthy diet. There are several ways to keep from overindulging at the bar.

Mingling with a drink in your hand is fun, but it is also a way to lose track of how many glasses you have had filled. While you're nibbling on hors d'oeuvres, your host is anxious to keep your glass filled. You may not even be aware of how often your glass is 'topped off' before it's too late. Instead of wine or a cocktail, mingle with a glass of sparkling water or club soda. Your host will be happy to keep your glass filled and you will not go over your limit.

If you drink wine, save it for the dinner table. Most sit down dinners will have wine specifically chosen to complement the meal. If you have already had all the wine you should drink before dinner, you miss out on the fun during dinner - or you overindulge. Either way, it's not worth ruining your meal, and your health.

If after-dinner drinks are offered, weigh the pros and cons. If you're having dessert, too, you may want to opt out and have plain coffee or tea. Remember; this is a balancing act. You know you will need to make choices before, during, and after dinner, so choose wisely.

At the end of the day, you can be happy if you tried to satisfy your appetite with healthy choices, and only gave in to a few delicious treats. After all, the holidays only come around once a year, leaving us plenty of time to get back on track. Enjoy a Happy Healthy Holiday Season!

Tips For Honoring Hanukkah With Food Traditions

If you are unfamiliar with the food traditions of Hanukkah, you might be interested to know that the typical menu for this celebration isn't really all about keeping kids happy. Of course, it's true that stacks of crispy deep-fried potato latkes, sweet cream cheese rugelach, jam filled donuts, and cheese blintzes will tend to keep kids gathered around the menorah, but there is still more to the story.

There are reasons why certain dishes are on the table during Hanukkah. Foods served during this celebration are meant to remind us of the miracles of Hanukkah. Let's take a look at some simple explanations of the source of the traditions and a few ways meals were created to use these foods.

Olive Oil

The miracle of the oil and the menorah are familiar to many of us. Hanukkah celebrates Jewish freedom over religious persecution. The eight days of celebration and the menorah honor the miracle of the olive oil. Upon returning to the temple after victory over Greek oppression, there was found only one small flask of olive oil to burn, which should have lasted one day. However, the oil lasted eight days, giving us the miracle of the menorah. This is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and why olive oil is used at great liberty in foods during this holiday.

Cheese

We also honor the memory of a young woman by the name of Yehudis, who devised a plan to kill a Greek general during the war. The story tells us she fed the general a great deal of  cheese, followed by enough wine to make him fall into a deep sleep, at which time she bravely killed him. When word of his death reached the general's army, they fled. We remember this woman's bravery and celebrate the freedom gained by her act by serving many delicious cheese filled treats.

From Olive Oil and Cheese To Food Traditions

From these two basic foods used during the Hanukkah celebration come specific dishes that are staples within many Jewish communities. The traditional foods may vary slightly, but finding ways to incorporate olive oil and dairy products connects Jewish people around the world.

Pastries known as sufganiyot are very well known. They are quite absorbent, soaking in lots of the olive oil they are cooked in. They may be sweetened and filled with fruit jellies or honey, making them quite popular and a staple in many Jewish homes today.

Adding cheese to these pastries was a natural choice, celebrating two traditions at once. Cheese filled pastries were a standard Hanukkah treat throughout central Europe, while in Germany the pastries were more often filled with jellies and jams. The Indian version of this pastry combined sugar, honey, milk, and butter with the yeast and flour to create another nod to dairy.

Where olive oil was scarce, in the northern climates, goose or chicken fat was used for frying. Also in these colder climates, potatoes and apples were abundant, making potato latkes and apple fritters a staple during Hanukkah. Along with potatoes and apples, dairy products were plentiful in these colder regions. Out of these foods grew the tradition of serving sour cream and applesauce over the potato latkes. Jewish families would use what was available to best honor the teachings and the stories of the battle for religious freedom.

Deep fried latkes are served in practically every Jewish home during Hanukkah. Whether as a main dish or as crispy little appetizers, they are definitely a favorite dish for many. The tradition of serving latkes is based on the assumption they are fried in olive oil, symbolizing  the miracle of the oil in the Temple.

Of course, olive oil, cheese, and any dairy product can be served in ways that are healthier. You don't need to drop potatoes into a vat of olive oil to honor the miracle. You can, instead, dress a fresh salad with pure pressed extra virgin olive oil. Perhaps, you can replace the  sugary cream cheese filled pastries with a mixture of cream cheese with fresh fruit and serve as a spread. You can even still enjoy your pastries, just pan fry them quickly to limit the amount of olive oil they absorb.

Fill your Hanukkah buffet with all the traditional foods your family loves, but remember; the food is about honoring the memories and the miracles. A little bit of pure olive oil and fresh cheese is a lovely way to remember. Happy Hanukkah!

Healthy Hannukkah Celebration With Olive Oil

Celebrate The Hanukkah Miracle And Good Health With Olive Oil

During Hanukkah we remember the miracle of the menorah, when one small flask of olive oil burned for eight days. One way we honor and celebrate this miracle is to use olive oil in many of the dishes we prepare.
Now we find out that olive oil is not only a delicious way to celebrate with food, but it's one of the healthiest oils we can use. Let's take a look at this special oil to learn more.

What is Olive Oil

Simply stated, olive oil is derived from olives. It can be consumed without any processing at all; just pressed from the olive. If you took a handful of olives and squeezed them, you would get olive oil. No other vegetable oil can claim that distinction. In its most natural form, olive oil is resplendent in flavor and nutrition.

Of course, refining the process has created many other varieties of olive oil. We have listed some general categories of olive oil, but each category will also contain other variations. Here are the basics you would find in a grocery store:

Extra Virgin - This oil is from the first pressing of the olives and is not processed or refined, and is probably unfiltered. You will notice a very 'olive' taste and a rich color.

Virgin - This olive oil would be from the second pressing and is most likely filtered, and may be somewhat processed.

Pure - You will find this oil to have less flavor and will be lighter in color since it has been through more filtering and refining. If you don't want an olive taste to your olive oil, this is probably what you would want to use.

Extra Light - This category encompasses a great deal of processing, refining, and blending. You will find most olive oil with this label to be a mix of highly processed olive oil and a vegetable oil. Some people like this variety for cooking.

Now that you know the varieties of olive oil, let's take a look at some of the health benefits. This may give you even more reason to celebrate Hanukkah with lots of olive oil.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

All olive oil contains those desirable mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acids and are rich in antioxidants. However, if you want the greatest boost of antioxidants, choose extra virgin olive oil. This is the oil that is from the first pressing of the olives so it is loaded with the most concentrated amounts of phyto-nutrients, which are known for having anti-inflammatory properties.

Olive oil has been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff) while raising HDL cholesterol (the good stuff). This benefit helps protect against heart disease by regulating cholesterol levels. In addition, further studies show the mono-unsaturated fatty acid of olive oil also helps lower blood pressure. Extra virgin olive oil provides high concentrations of vitamin E and beta-carotene, keeping the circulatory system healthy and pumping strong.

Although studies regarding the role of olive oil in reducing cancer are inconclusive, there are interesting data. Research has shown some effects of reducing risks in the development of cancers of the digestive tract, respiratory tract, and breasts when subjects use olive oil routinely in their diet. These regular olive oil eaters are compared to non-olive oil eaters and people who more often consume saturated fat and butter. There could be other risk factors involved so the results of the studies are still mixed, although promising.

Other benefits associated with consuming olive oil include naturally healing stomach ulcers, gastritis, and other digestive tract disorders. Still more studies are starting to uncover a possible connection between olive oil consumption and improved blood calcium levels. This could point to the eventual link between overall bone health and olive oil consumption.

Still more research has provoked interest in the link between cognitive health and the use of olive oil. In older adults, both visual and verbal responses improved after the subjects increased their olive oil intake aggressively throughout the day. Laboratory research is also being done which is showing increased cognitive activity when animals are fed olive oil. The ability to protect the brain during times of stress may be one of the most amazing benefits this delicious oil has to offer.

Which brings us back to Hanukkah and the tradition of olive oil. The health benefits of olive oil are so expansive, it's hard to believe that the use of olive oil during Hanukkah ever strayed so far from what most of us would consider healthy foods.

Now we have the wisdom to know better! We don't have to indulge in fat soaked donuts and latkes to celebrate the miracle of the oil. Instead, pay homage to the true miracle - the olive oil we revered through the ages is the same olive oil we know as one of the healthiest foods we can eat today. That gives us even more reason to celebrate. Happy Hanukkah!

How To Have A Happy And Healthy Hanukkah

Deep fried latkes and donuts have taken center stage in many Hanukkah celebrations. But, should they? Today, many people like to give at least a nod to healthier eating, even during the holidays.

And, strictly speaking, eating foods saturated in fat, even olive oil, is not paying close attention to the Torah. Remembering the miracle of the Menorah by using olive oil in our food is an important part of Hanukkah.
However, understanding the significance of the olive oil is crucial to preserving the true tradition of the miracle.

Pure Pressed Olive Oil

The flames of the Menorah, which God allowed to burn for eight days on one flask of oil, were fueled by pure pressed olive oil. The Torah tells us that the olives were pressed to release only the first, the purest drops of oil to be used in the Menorah. The remainder of the olives were crushed in the usual manner to produce large quantities of olive oil for cooking.

Harmful Behaviors

The Torah teaches us that we should avoid harmful behaviors, such as eating unhealthy foods. That's why it's a bit difficult to understand how eating piles of deep fried foods can possibly pay tribute to the miracle of the Menorah or faithfully celebrate Hanukkah. We know that olive oil is a healthy type of oil. But using large quantities of any oil, even olive oil, negates the health benefits.

Healthier Traditions

It makes sense to honor the miracle of the Menorah by abstaining from unhealthy foods loaded with oil. Instead, use small amounts of pure-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil to make  healthier dishes. For instance, create a beautiful salad with fresh greens, goat cheese, and a homemade salad dressing using extra-virgin olive oil. Or drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced garden tomatoes, and fresh basil for a caprese salad that is delicious and healthy.

Even latkes can be made healthier. Honor the traditions of Hanukkah while enjoying a crispy potato latke by baking them instead of deep frying. A little bit of olive oil can go a long way in this type of healthy recipe. Even those filled donuts we love can be made over to more closely honor the true tradition of Hanukkah. You can tweak many of your old recipes to make the donuts smaller, oven bake them, and fill them with smashed fresh fruit and cream cheese instead of sugary jarred jelly.

Celebrating the miracle of the Menorah while avoiding excessive indulgence in oil-drenched food seems to make sense after all. The purest of all olive oil should be enjoyed and held in reverence during Hanukkah. Not only is tradition respected, but the true teachings and meanings of Hanukkah are upheld when we treat our body to a healthier celebration.

Keeping Your Kids Happy And Healthy This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, many of us think about our own need to stay healthy and active. We picture the parties, the cookies, the egg nog... and we give out a short sigh. There goes the diet.

But, we aren't the only ones with sweet treats piled high before us, tempting us to dig in and enjoy. Our kids are bombarded with goodies all season. Throughout Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas, the volume of food we place on our tables is astounding.

We are celebrating, and food is certainly a big part of the festivities. While we adults can make some rational choices about our dietary intake, our kids don't have quite the same resolve. It's up to us to make healthy choices easier for them. Let's take a look at a few ideas for holiday fun without all the sweet temptations.

Play Outside

A kid playing hard has little time to think about anything else. If you get your kids away from the table, away from the kitchen, and away from the house, they will do what kids do - forget and focus on the here and now.

No matter where you live and what the climate is like, there are things to do outside during these holidays. Depending on the age of your kids, you may have to do some if not all of the work preparing, but it will be well worth it.

If you have leaves, rake them up and give the kids free reign to jump and play and scatter the leaves. Get out the sidewalk chalk and decorate for the season. If you have snow, build a fort or a snowman, or have a snowball fight. Your kids will forget that plate of cookies if they get to pelt Pop square on the back with a snowball, I guarantee it.

Take a walk through the neighborhood to see the decorations. Sing songs. Window shop. Sit on a park bench and watch the people. Take turns making up stories about who they are and where they're going. Feed the ducks. Take those little feet away from the sweets at home.

Play Inside

It can be difficult to keep your little ones' attention away from sweets when you're inside. The trick is to plan games that require some thought and even some action. The game Twister comes to mind for indoor action, but there are many games for all ages that are great for keeping kids busy.

Choose thoughtful games such as charades, drawing games, or word games. Games that make your kids think and give them some good belly-laughs are perfect for keeping their minds off the sweets. Treasure hunts are especially engaging and can be played by all ages, with a little help. Be sure to have the treasure a non-food related treat and something everyone will enjoy.

You can easily play I Spy games indoors, or hide-and-seek, or other easy games with a variety of ages. Card games are versatile, too. There are so many options, it's hard to choose sometimes. You could also ask your kids to create their own game.

Don't forget crafts. Get out the bin of odds and ends and let their imagination run wild. Or plan a specific craft to make a product to give as a gift to a relative or friend of the family. Of course, video games are fun and certainly an option for some families. But, remember, they must be engaging for the whole family and keep little fingers and minds busy.

Now, after a day of fun activities both outdoors and indoors, when it comes time to enjoy a sweet treat, your kids will enjoy it even more. Happy Holidays!

A History Of Thanksgiving Celebrations

The Transformation Of Thanksgiving Traditions

American children spend their early school years learning about the first Thanksgiving meal shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. The settlers had reason to celebrate; it was their first real harvest, and they wanted to share it with the native people who helped make it possible.

The festival was a three day celebration which included hunting, harvesting, fishing, games, and lots of food to celebrate the fall harvest. Today, we look at our preparations for Thanksgiving as an arduous task. But imagine the work it took to put a meal on the table in November 1621!

During what Americans refer to as The First Thanksgiving, a feast of venison, duck, geese, corn, barley, and perhaps cranberries and nuts would have been served. Although wild turkey was hunted in those days, no mention is made of turkey in any documentation regarding this celebration. Perhaps this harvest meal didn't fall during the season most likely to provide turkey for the table. We do know that duck and geese were plentiful. Foods we think of as staples today, like squash and potatoes, hadn't made their way to New England in time for the first feast. As a matter of fact, many dishes we think of as traditional today wouldn't find their way to a Thanksgiving table until almost 200 years later.

The first Thanksgiving harvest celebration of 1621 didn't spark subsequent holidays each year. It wasn't until 1789 when President George Washington declared the first national Thanksgiving holiday that America had the excuse to feast again in this harvest tradition. However, this declaration also did not repeat each year. So, again, the Thanksgiving tradition was forgotten for a while.

Then in 1827, author Sara Josepha Hale started a campaign to establish a yearly national Thanksgiving holiday, inspired in part by a written diary of pilgrim life. This effort took almost thirty years to complete, in which time the author spent time promoting her campaign by publishing many of her favorite recipes, including pumpkin pie, turkey, and stuffing. Now you can see how the Thanksgiving table we know today got its start. Thank you, Miss Hale!

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the Thanksgiving holiday be celebrated each year on the final Thursday of November, and so it was, until 1939, during the Great Depression. In an effort to give retailers more time to make money during the holiday shopping season, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the Thanksgiving holiday up a week earlier. Americans were not happy with the idea of their beloved
Thanksgiving turning into a money-making enterprise, so the President bowed to the people and in 1941 he signed a bill setting Thanksgiving firmly, and forever, on the 4th Thursday in November each and every year.
As you can see, Thanksgiving was a tradition that took hundreds of years to become established.

Throughout those years, America changed. Today's table may not resemble the table set by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag in Plymouth that Autumn day. But the spirit of the holiday remains the same – being thankful for those around you who share the burden and the pleasure of reaching a common goal. Happy Thanksgiving!

How To Stay Focused And Have A Healthy Happy Thanksgiving

Compared to other holidays in America, it seems that our Thanksgiving has taken on a tradition of over-indulgence. The table is filled from sunup to sundown with food. Lots of food. And eating plates piled high with all sorts of goodies is not only not discouraged, it's encouraged!

This is a celebration of abundance! We are supposed to remember the First Thanksgiving, when the settlers and native tribes joined together to partake in the great gifts the autumn harvest had to offer. A joyous time with plenty to eat was something to celebrate, indeed.

Today, even when we have enough to eat every day, we still take this holiday to dig in and wallow in the abundance set in front of us on the Thanksgiving table. This can, and does, cause some dietary distress and overall health problems for many of us.

Therefore, this Thanksgiving, let's enjoy the feast without sacrificing our health. Here are few things we can do to stay focused while celebrating this holiday.

Focus on People

This is a good holiday to reconnect with family and friends. Talk to the people in your life and find out what they think about, how they feel, and what they've been doing. We all get so busy, it's these times when we get to slow down and take a friend or family member's hand and tell them we want to be a part of their life. And, maybe it's the time Aunt Gertrude finally shares her secret recipe with you for the perfect pumpkin pie!

Focus on Fun

What better way to reconnect with family and friends than by playing games? Whether it's a board game, card game, video game, or some kind of sports, the focus is on the fun. This makes it easy to talk, laugh, and share something about yourself. You can even use dinner time games as a way to have fun. Fill little cups with mints and ask each guest to share something they're thankful for for each mint in their cup. Little moments form memories, and these moments come naturally when gathered together just to have fun.

Focus on Food

Yes, of course we still want to enjoy the feast. But instead of building a mountain of food on your plate, take small portions and focus on each dish. Pay homage to every morsel the cooks have put together to please their guests. Your hosts will be tickled to see you slowly nibbling on small portions of all the delicious dishes presented, and your diet will remain on track when you keep your portions under control.

Focus on Fitness

The party is over. Tummies are full. It's time to get up and move. I know the desire to lay down and sleep is sometimes overwhelming, but the indigestion and regrets are not worth giving into the temptation. After dinner, gather up your group and take a walk around the block. Your full belly may not allow for a rousing game of volleyball, but certainly it will appreciate a good stretch of the legs. This post-dinner walk is not only good for the digestion, it lifts spirits and brings smiles to tired faces. And you don't feel like you sacrificed all your good exercising history with one big meal.

Just because a holiday is about abundance, doesn't mean we have to give in to over-indulging. Let's be thankful for the good things we have in our life and on our table, and celebrate by staying focused on those special things. Happy Thanksgiving!

DIshes From The First Thanksgiving Feast

Feasting At The First Thanksgiving Table

Picture you own Thanksgiving table, or take a look at an iconic American picture of this holiday feast. Chances are, in the center of the table sits a big turkey stuffed with all kinds of savory goodies. Then you'll find bowls of whipped potatoes, and sweet cranberry relish, alongside piping hot dishes of the ever popular green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and cheesy macaroni with golden buttery topping. Pumpkin pie is certain to be on the dessert menu.

This list is just a few dishes we think of when we imagine a Thanksgiving table in America. How many of these dishes actually reflect the original feast? Probably not that many. Let's take a look.

The Hunt

A big golden brown turkey stuffed with an abundance of bread dressing takes center stage at most American tables during the Thanksgiving feast. But, that twenty pound bird is really the product of modern times.

According to historical notes, a hunting trip was organized for the first harvest feast, which was a three day affair. The hunting group would have bagged whatever was plentiful, which was very likely a mix of duck and geese, along with other small wild fowl, with a few wild turkeys along the way. The birds would have been stuffed with onions and herbs, and not with any sort of bread-like stuffing. 

With a table filled with wild game birds, you would think there would be no need for other meat. However, deer was plentiful and was actually given as a gift from the Wampanoag tribe to the Pilgrims for the feast. This venison would have most likely been roasted over an open fire pit, some served immediately while the the remaining meat slow simmered for stew to be served over the next few days.

Fresh Pickings

Because this three day celebration was held during the fall season, we know the foods harvested in this region's climate would have included onions, carrots, cabbage, beans, turnips, and even some late season corn.

The onions may have been used to flavor other dishes, but would also have been roasted and served as a side dish by themselves. Flavored with herbs, large pots of carrots, cabbage, and beans were also roasted on open fires.

Corn was not the super-sweet and tender variety we are familiar with today. Late season corn, in particular, would be a bit starchy. It would have been cut from the cob and thrown into a skillet to simmer, probably along with other vegetables. Some of the corn would have been dried and ground to make a coarse meal suitable for making bread.

Even though the settlers had learned to enjoy some tubers, like turnips, they never really caught on to potatoes, either russet or sweet. Introduced by Spanish explorers, the European settlers passed on potatoes for many years, making this one veggie that wasn't on the first Thanksgiving table.

Fresh fruits and berries would be plentiful at this time of year. Plums, gooseberries, raspberries, and cranberries were served in a variety of ways, none of which would be sweet. Since sugar was scare, the dishes made with fruits and berries would typically be tart. We would definitely not have the sort of cranberry relish we know today.

 From The Waters

Along with game and fresh vegetables, fruits, and berries, the region also had an abundance of seafood. Mussels, oysters, fish, clams, and even lobster were part of the diet in the region, so it makes sense that these foods were part of any feast.

Large fish may have been stuffed with onion and other vegetables and herbs, then roasted over an open fire. During one of the three days, this may have actually been served as the main dish.

Pumpkin Pie

And, finally, we come to one of the dishes we all can agree has Thanksgiving stamped all over it - pumpkin pie. Although it is true that pumpkin was found on tables in this region during the time of the first Thanksgiving feast, it would not have been in the form of a pie.

The settlers did not have fully equipped kitchens or pantries such as we know today. They cooked in fire pits, not ovens. And the pantry didn't have butter or refined flour to produce a tender pie crust.

Instead, we have documentation that shows the settlers created a sweetened pumpkin dish by carving out the pumpkin and filling the insides with honey, milk, and even berries, then putting the top back on the pumpkin and roasting it whole in the fire pit. Once removed and cooled slightly, the creamy insides were scooped out and served warm. Aside from the crust, this sounds pretty close to what we have today for pumpkin pie.

The next time you picture a typical Thanksgiving dinner, try throwing in a few images of the First Thanksgiving and see how your table-scape changes. Happy Thanksgiving!

Healthy Slumber Party Snacks To Please A Sleepy Crowd

Planning a slumber party, sleepover, for your kids is great fun.  Getting together with friends, playing games, and seeing who can stay up the longest makes these parties very memorable.  Take those memories a step further by introducing a creative menu.  Get the kids involved and see if you can come up with some really great, fun, and tasty treats for your Up-All-Night crowd.  Here's some ideas to get you started planning.

Ants on a Log

This is an easy, fun way to get those imaginations running wild.  Cut celery into small chunks before the party.  The sleepover guests can then add cream cheese or peanut butter to each one.  Then get out raisins (the ants) and the kids can stick as many raisins as they like on the celery sticks.  Watch the giggles start when they gobble up those 'ants' stuck on the gooey 'log.'  Not only are these treats fun and tasty, they are also healthy.  You don't have to worry about a late-night sugar high turning your party into chaos.

Cupcake Creations

Half the fun of cupcakes is decorating them.  Have the cupcakes ready and waiting for your overnight guests to decorate to their hearts content.  I recommend mini-cupcakes so each party-goer can decorate and eat more than one.  Lay out a supply of  different frosting colors, writing gels, candies, sprinkles, and any edible embellishments you can think of.  The more the merrier.  Prepare the area, and yourself, for a mess!  But, also be prepared for some great memories and lots of perfect picture opportunities.

Remember the Rice Krispies

A classic like this never goes out of style, for many reasons.  They are easy to make and you can get the kids involved right from the beginning.  Measuring, counting the marshmallows, stirring, and pressing out the treats are jobs that kids of slumber party age can do with a little bit of supervision.  Once the base is formed, the rest is pure pleasure.  Again, you want to go overboard with the edible decorations.  Remember to include melted chocolate and peanut butter for these treats.  But also consider candies, frosting, sprinkles, and even food coloring.  It's all about having fun making this popular treat, even before having fun eating them.

Pizza Party

Sure, you can make a couple big pizzas and cut them up to serve, but why?  This may fill tummies but it's not a whole lot of fun for the kids.  Instead, have the guests assemble their own pizza and choose the toppings they want.  Make this process all about the fun of creating individual pizzas, with lots and lots of possibilities.  Start simply with small tortillas or rolled out refrigerator biscuits for crusts to make this snack super easy.  Then let the cooking games begin!  Get a selection of sauces, cooked meats, sausages, pepperoni, mushrooms, tomatoes, other vegetables, pineapple, other fruits, cheeses, and a variety of toppings to satisfy all their taste buds and imaginations.

Watermelon Cut Outs

This is a nice treat for summertime slumber parties.  Slice the watermelon into about one inch thick circles or semi-circles.  Lay the watermelon out on a work surface and put a pile of cookie cutters in the middle.  The guests can use the cookie cutters to cut the watermelon into shapes they like.  Arrange the watermelon shapes on a big tray and share the 'cookies' with all the party-goers.  This is a refreshing treat late at night after the pizza or other heavier foods.  You can do this with other fruit as well and create a mix-and-match tray with a variety of different shapes for each guest to enjoy.

You want to do two things when it comes to a slumber party - keep the kids busy and don’t mind the mess.  When it comes to creating memories, getting everyone involved in preparing the food and snacks is a wonderful idea.  This is something your kids and their friends will remember for years to come.

A Guide For Buying Holiday Gifts

Shop Smart To Find Frugal Holiday Gifts

It can be very easy to run up a big bill when it comes to buying gifts for the holidays.  When you have a tight budget, you can reach your limit fast!  How can you stretch your budget so you can still give your family and friends gifts that they will love?  Let's take a look at a few simple ideas for giving gifts on a budget.

Buy Off Season

One of the most effective ways to stay within your budget when buying holiday gifts is to actually do most of your shopping during the off season periods. If you keep a list of gift ideas on hand, you can shop the real deals, and not the ones that the stores like to entice you with just before the holidays.  As we get closer to the holidays, prices tend to climb, then you'll get a few teaser sales that look good but really aren't.  If you watch the sales throughout the year, you are bound to find deals that are real, and not the inflated prices during the height of the holiday shopping season.

Search Online

If you haven't gotten acquainted yet with online shopping, now is the time.  Companies are in hot competition to get your business so they are offering not only lower prices but free shipping, and even free returns!  There are plenty of coupon sites to check out, too, but many companies are just skipping right by the coupons and giving you the deals directly.  It really pays to shop around, and there are even sites that do that for you, too.  Start early so you have plenty of time to send items back if they don't work out for you.  Remember, it's all about customer service so be picky and find companies with great websites, deals, and shipping options that you like. If you prefer to go to the store to buy, you can still use the website to find the deals.  Many websites will find the nearest store to you and tell you if the item is in stock.  If you don't like something about the website or store, move on to the next one. You are in total control because there are just so many to choose from.

Dig into the Clearance Bin

The clearance bin can be your best friend when you're looking for a bargain. A toy that was a top seller last year could very well end up deeply discounted this year. Clothing, household items, decorative items, etc. all end up in the clearance bin at some time or other.  If you're at the department store, look for the signs and head that way.  You have to be patient and be prepared to spend some time digging through the items if you want the best deal.  If you're shopping online, click that CLEARANCE button and start scrolling. Things move fast on the sale racks, so be ready to shop when you find an item.

Use your Phone

It is amazing how much money that phone in your pocket can save you. They call it a smart phone for a reason. Don't be afraid to use it when shopping for your holiday gifts. If you find something at a store while you're out shopping, why drive around to see if you can find it cheaper elsewhere?  Pull out your phone, download an app and you can have your own personal price checker. Not only will it tell you where to go for the lower price, many of the apps tell you who still has them available and gives you the opportunity to call the store and have them hold the item for you. If you don't have a 'smart phone' don't fret. Your phone is still your best friend. Call the store and ask. If they are not willing to help you, then they don't need your business. Either way, your phone has helped you make a decision and you didn't need to drive around.

Make it Yourself

When you can add the label “Handmade Especially For You” on a gift item, you know it will be well received and greatly appreciated. What are your talents? Can you put them to work to create gifts for the holidays?  Perhaps you can learn a new talent.  There are plenty of DIY books, magazines, and websites that can help you get started creating one of a kind gift items.  Not only are these handmade gifts special, but they ordinarily are much cheaper.  If you're trying to give special gifts on a budget, handmade items are very often the way to go.

If you've ever found yourself standing dazed, in the middle of a store around the holidays, you most likely didn't plan ahead.  Gift giving is not easy, or cheap, when you do it on the fly or at the last minute.  Plan ahead, shop smart, and try these tips to give the perfect gifts this holiday season, even on your tight budget.

Tips For Planning The Perfect Holiday Meal On A Budget

Plan An Impressive Main Course Even On A Tight Budget

When you're planning holiday meals, the main course could very likely add up to more than the rest of the whole menu. The star of the meal is important, to be sure, but how can you present a gorgeous main course when you're on a tight budget?  There are some things to consider, so let's explore a few options.

Let the Sales Guide You

When it comes to expensive items like meat, it helps to be mindful of special sales and giveaways that are in your area. For instance, if you're planning on having pumpkin pie for dessert, and a grocery store is offering a free honey ham with the purchase of pumpkin pie ingredients, why not let that determine what you serve for your main course?  You may have been thinking about duck or a rib roast, but when it comes to your budget, a free ham sure sounds delicious!

Smart merchants offer big savings on traditional meats and other main course proteins because they want to get you in the store for the other ingredients.  Watch the sale brochures early so you don't get stuck in a panic and spend full price when time runs short.  And don't forget your local butcher or independent store.  Smaller shops stock up for holiday meals and don't want to get stuck with anything after the holiday is past.  Keep in mind 'supply and demand' – grocers lay in a large supply while the demand is high and can ask any price, but they want to move their stock before the demand ends, so watch closely for this price break to happen fast, and be ready.

Know the Proper Serving Size

The USDA guideline for meat serving size is about a quarter pound of meat per person.  However, holiday meals usually call for a more impressive serving size.  But don't go overboard!  Figure the serving size somewhere between a quarter pound and a half pound per person.  Remember, you will be having all your favorite side dishes, as well.  It's so easy to over-estimate when it comes down to picking out your main course. Keep in mind when you choose your protein that if you are buying a bone-in meat, you need to take that 'waste weight' into account and buy closer to the half pound per person serving size.

Choosing a big turkey, duck, goose, or chicken will take some estimating when it comes to serving size.  You can actually make an assumption to help you calculate the servings per bird.  Deduct about twenty percent from the total weight and that should give you a good weight in actual meat.  Of course, you'll want a good amount of both white meat and dark meat.  If you're serving a large group, sometimes it's better to cook two smaller birds instead of one big bird.  Start by calculating the amount of meat you'll need, then shop for the best price per pound whether you are buying meat, poultry, fish, or other seafood.

Choosing Quality or Quantity

If you just can't bring yourself to put a smaller piece of meat on your holiday table, then by all means buy a larger cut. This means, however, that you will need to shop around for less expensive cuts to make sure your main course still fits your budget.  For example, if your budget is limited but you want to serve a big beef roast dinner, you will need to walk away from the prime rib or tenderloin.  Choose instead several nice chuck roasts and cook them low and slow so they are cut-it-with-a-fork tender. No one will care that your beef isn't expensive just so long as it's juicy and delicious.  You can do that with less expensive cuts of meat if you cook it right.

The same goes for poultry or seafood.  Compare the price per pound of several poultry options.  If you can't afford to buy a goose or duck, choose a turkey or chicken.  A large turkey that has been roasted beautifully will impress your guests as much as, if not more than, a smaller (and much more expensive) goose. But, you can also do both, serve quality AND quantity, if you shop and plan wisely.  If you really want that beautiful duck on your table, go ahead and choose a small one, then roast another bird so you have enough meat to serve.  Think of the expensive protein as a side dish and buy a smaller size.  In other words, you don't have to serve your guests a half pound of expensive protein.  Plan your main course with a less expensive protein and serve your luxury protein in smaller bites.

You want your holiday table to feature a wonderful main course, but meat, poultry, and seafood can be expensive. There are ways to still present a beautiful main dish without breaking the bank. Be sure to watch the sales in your area and introduce yourself to the butcher or fishmonger. Also, be mindful of the portion sizes and the number of people you are serving. Don't over-estimate and spend more than you have to.  And remember, quality isn't always about spending more money.  It really all comes down to serving the tastiest dish you possibly can, and you can do that on any budget.

Tips For Planning Your Office Party

Keep The Workplace Party Frugal And Fun

Anyone who has a limited budget knows how difficult work parties can be on the wallet. Work parties can include many expenditures; a dish to pass, a gift, a collection for the boss, and maybe a charity.  Now, these things each by itself is not going to destroy your budget, but when they start piling on, it could get pretty discouraging.  And what if you have more than one party to attend?  You want to be up and positive, but you also want to pay the bills and feed the family.  How can you enjoy the work party and not come off being the company Scrooge?  Here are a few tips.

Sign-up Fast

This is definitely a time when you want to be first in line. Signing up fast for the potluck meal is an advantage when you're on a budget.  Why?  Because you can choose your food item to bring from a wider range of goodies.  You can shop early for the ingredients and maybe snag a few sale prices.  If you wait until the last minute to sign up, you are bound to find yourself in the deli the day of the party paying premium prices for a prepared dish that you could have easily made at home for half the price.

If that happens, your dish not only cost way more than you budgeted, but the presentation looks cheap. It looks like you don't care enough about your fellow workers to give your dish any thought at all. There sits your plastic deli containers right next to those beautifully decorated homemade sugar cookies.  And, the fact is, those sugar cookies cost a fraction of what you brought, but look and taste so much better.  So, get your name on that sign-up sheet the moment it comes out to save yourself the embarrassment and the expense.

Stick with Traditional Food

Holiday potluck parties at work are not the time to try out a new recipe.  Nor is it time to bring your most complicated dish. Stick with traditions that are tried-and-true.  If your coworkers see a 'mystery dish' on the table, something they're not familiar with, they will pass it by.  No one's going to embarrass themselves or others by asking; “What's that?”  If you're serving something with a bunch of complicated sauces, it just gets clumsy figuring out what to put with what. Keep your dish simple, easy to serve, and delicious and everyone will appreciate the effort you made.

Keep the Gift Exchange Simple

As far as a gift exchange goes, keep it simple and inexpensive.  Having complicated gift exchanges where everything is topsy turvy and no one understands the rules is a recipe for disappointment.  Do simple 'take away' games for small gifts that are suitable for everyone.  Put small wrapped gifts together and draw names for each gift.  Don't make the exchange too unusual.  Play games that are familiar to everyone so the party keeps moving smoothly and no one feels left out.  Plan your gift exchange early so you can agree on a dollar limit and everyone will have time to shop.  And remember, it's about the fun, not the gift.  So, keep the dollar limit very low so everyone can enjoy the festivities without worrying about the expense.

Out On the Town

Some work parties are planned out of the office.  These parties can be more entertaining than a simple potluck office party, but they can also be very expensive.  If you are on a limited budget, you may find it difficult to justify splurging on such a party.  This is where being a part of the planning committee will come in handy. 

You will need a strong voice in your workplace, an advocate for you and your fellow coworkers who want to keep the expense down.  If the decision is made to have the party at a restaurant, then be sure to do your research.  These establishments are going to want your party, so they will be willing to deal with you.  Review menu and drink choices, then begin the negotiating.  When it comes to a party outside the office, it's all about getting the right prices.  Stay away from ordering off the menu and having an open bar.  Choose two or three dinner options, negotiate a price with the restaurant, then have a cash bar.  Each person can then enjoy the party within their own budget.

The workplace is no place to throw caution to the wind when it comes to your holiday budget.  You need to watch your wallet just like you do while planning your family holiday celebrations.  When the holidays roll around, jump right in and be a part of the planning so you can ensure your frugal voice is heard.

Are Your Guest Staying Too Long ?

How To Politely Send Your Party Guests Home

When the party's over, the party's over... or is it?  If you've had trouble in the past getting your guests to pack it in for the night and go home, you may need a new approach, or two.  There are ways to politely clear your guests, but you need the right timing, as well as a simple strategy in place.  Take a look at the following techniques for easing your guests out the door.

Avoid Open Ended Invitations

Probably the easiest way to send your guests home is to have an end time right on your invitation. Make sure you clearly state that your party will begin and end at a certain time. This way, you should only have to walk around and declare something like; “Will you just look at the time!”  Since all your guests saw the end time on the invitation, this will click fast. The end time puts you in a place to politely move your guests out the door with style.

Enlist the Help of Other Guests

In any group of guests, there are usually some who are very punctual, both coming and going.  When you look at your guest list, keep this in mind. The guests who naturally leave on time are often those who are paying a babysitter or who have to work the next day. When you see these guests getting ready to leave, be sure to make a point of getting their coats and walking them to the door, rather noticeably.  As your guests watch you escort other guests to the door, they will quickly see that the party is winding down. This is a subtle way to start moving all your guests toward the exit; they will naturally start gathering their belongings as you are saying goodbye to your departing guests.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Being honest with people is a simple way to wrap up a party. This doesn't mean being rude and nasty.  Instead, you will just tell your guests how thankful you are that they were able to come and what a great time you had, and... let me get your coat and walk you to the door.  Who can argue with that?  If a guest is still slow to move toward the door, you can fill in with a few comments about having to work in the morning and the kids will be up at the crack of dawn.  No one will miss the point when it's honest and direct, but still polite. Simply stating the facts in terms everyone understands will work for most guests and in most instances.  Party stragglers who miss the subtle hints typically get it when you use the honest approach.

Ask About Plans for Getting Home

Asking your guests about their plans for getting home is a subtle way to move the conversation in another direction; namely out the door.  Some guests may need you to call a cab.  Perhaps a guest is waiting for a ride from someone.  Do they have a driver on the way?  Maybe your guest would appreciate it if you moved their car up closer to the house.  Simple questions like this can begin to get your guests thinking about heading home, which means that you can think about wrapping up the party and enjoying some much needed rest.

Start Cleaning Up

Nothing says 'time to go' like the host disappearing into the kitchen to do dishes.  When you start to clean up, everyone notices that you are ready to wind down. Of course, you don't want to be rude, but if you have a few guests who simply haven't followed the other guests out the front door when they should have, then rattling those pots and pans may be justified.  If they still don't take the hint, then ask them to join you in the kitchen and put them to work.  At this point, your guests will leave or they help with the dishes, which isn't bad either way.

Ruin the Mood

I saved this one for last because it's really a last resort. Blow out the candles, turn up the lights, put away the decorations, and turn off the music.  Don't forget to pick up the snacks and put away the wine!  This is a bit harsh, to be sure, but it is very effective for even the most stubborn straggler.  Sitting under bright lights in a house devoid of all festive spirit is going to drive any guest to the front door. Short of shutting off the lights, locking the door, and going to bed, this strategy seems to work even with the most oblivious guest.

Hosting a holiday party is exhausting. You put a lot of time and effort into planning the party, preparing for everything, and then finally welcoming your guests.  Being the good host that you are, you'll be spending lots of time making sure that everyone is having fun.  Although you are enjoying yourself, too, by the end of the party, you are ready to wrap it up and send your guests merrily along their way.  With these ideas for subtle, and not so subtle, methods for moving your guests toward the door, your party will end just as smoothly as it started.

Avoid These Pitfalls When Planning Your Holiday Party

Holiday Entertaining Budget Busters

Everyone knows there are some things that just blow your holiday budget out of the water. If you know what these things are, they can be avoided and your budget can remain intact. But the trick is identifying and then stopping these budget busters before they happen. Let's take a look.

Poor Planning

When you don't spend enough time planning for your event, you may end up running around at the last minute trying to fill in for things you've forgotten.  If this means more food, it usually means prepared food from a deli or caterer, which means a lot more money spent than originally planned. On the other hand, spending too much time planning can also result in over spending. If you go over and over the menu, you are bound to keep adding more food. If you review the guest list over and over, you'll start second guessing yourself, which usually means adding more people, not removing any. A lack of planning as well as too much planning are both bad for the budget.

Unexpected Guests

When people show up unexpectedly at your party, it's a strain on the budget you set.  Pulling up another chair to the table and filling another plate definitely produces a burden. The best way to keep your guest list accurate is to include an RSVP on the invitation. Of course, there are bound to be a couple guests who forget or ignore the RSVP, so be sure to word your invitation properly so the RSVP is taken seriously.  If you have guests who haven't responded, simply give them a call.

 Another issue may be a misunderstanding with the invited guest. Be clear if you intend your guest to bring a guest of his or her own. Your invitation should state EXACTLY who you wish to attend the party.  If there could be any confusion about who is invited, state the obvious.  For instance, if you're throwing a party for grownups only, make sure the invitation states that kids are not invited. Don't leave room for confusion on the invitation.

Big Dreams

Paging through glossy magazines featuring designer parties is a fun pastime, but not a good basis for your holiday party.  If you start dreaming about throwing a designer-style party, your budget will never catch up. Keep your dreams in check and reasonable when you are planning your party and your budget and bottom line will appreciate your diligence. However, when you're dreaming big, you can  grab a couple ideas from those designers.  Choose some unique decorations or recipes and include them in your budget version of the fancy party.  You can add a lot of flare with just a few touches from that big dream.

Shopping Fail

Once your party is planned, you'll need to shop for food, decorations, gifts, and whatever you may need.  Heading to the store without doing some research first will result in spending way more money than you need to, or intend to.  Paying full price for any or all of the items you need will put a serious dent in your budget, and is so unnecessary.  With all the coupons and sales, there's no reason to over pay.  Go online and check the deals for your local area.  Shop early so you have enough time to shop around.  Waiting for the last minute will surely result in making hasty choices and spending way beyond your budget.

Hosting a holiday party can be fun and festive without breaking the budget, but only if you avoid these pitfalls.  Simple errors like these can create a stressful situation instead of a delightful holiday celebration. Now that you know what to avoid, go ahead and plan that perfect party!

Tips For Planning Your Holiday Party

Guest List Size Matters For Your Holiday Budget

No matter what kind of party you're planning, one of the most common ways to blow your budget and spoil a party is to either over-estimate or under-estimate your guest list. Let's take a look at what happens when you don't figure your numbers correctly.

Too Much of a Good Thing

We have all been there, right? We plan for thirty people to show up, and the last thing we want to do is run out of food.  So, we cook for forty just to make sure nobody is wanting.  Then twenty people show up.  There's a big difference between cooking for forty and cooking for twenty.  Now, you have food to spare.  What do you do with it?  Most likely you will send it home with your guests because you never have that much room in your refrigerator to store leftovers.  Even if you do have the room to store the leftovers, you'll never eat it up before it goes bad.

This is the problem when we over-estimate our guest list. Over-estimating your list means that you will inevitably go through more stress and financial burden.  You'll not only be frustrated and worn out preparing for more people than necessary, but eventually you'll see your hard earned money either walking out the door in containers or going out with the trash.

Less is Better Doesn't Work

On the other hand, under-estimating your guest list is almost as bad, if not worse. Under-estimating your guest list means that you don't cook enough. Say you invite thirty, but assume that only fifteen will come, but they all show up.  Now, what do you do?  Assuming that a lot fewer people will show up is a dangerous assumption to make, especially when it comes to food.  Even though you don't have to worry about throwing out or giving away extra food, the reverse is just as bad.  You have guests now eager for something to snack on and your appetizers are woefully meager.  And that lovely turkey you have that will feed fifteen beautifully just looks pitiful.

You can only boil up so many more potatoes to help stretch a meal. So, you do what any good host does; you send someone out to the deli.  The cost and stress of running out for more food can really upset your day.  Instead of cooking for the thirty people you invited, now you're buying pre-made appetizers and dinner items for fifteen more people. It didn't have to be that way if you had just cooked for your invited guest list to begin with.

Verify your Guest List

Since both over-estimating and under-estimating lead to serious consequences to your budget and stress level, it is best to avoid both of these situations. One of the easiest ways to make sure this doesn't happen is to do what all good hosts do - verify your guest list.

The simplest way to verify a guest list is to put an RSVP on your invitation.  Some people may feel silly or uncomfortable about this if you're hosting a more casual holiday gathering.  But, don't give that a thought.  Any party, big or small, fancy or casual, benefits by an RSVP on the invitation.  Your guests will appreciate the thoughtful regard you have given to them. After all, an RSVP just ensures that you, their host, will have plenty of food and drink when everyone arrives, and isn't that what being a good host is all about?

If your guests are slow in responding to the invitation, then take it upon yourself to pick up the phone and give them a call to confirm that they are coming to your event.  You can use this opportunity to double check on the time, diet concerns, or if there is anything else either you or they need to know. 

Whether you're planning a small gathering or a large one, get your guest list in order, verify it, then stick to your numbers. If you have twenty people RSVP with a 'Yes' then cook for twenty people.  You don't want more and you don't want less, because doing either one is a waste of money and can be a real party pooper!

Planning Your Holiday Party On A Budget

Fun Frugal Food To Please Every Appetite

If you have ever hosted a holiday party, you know how difficult it can be to please everyone on your list. There are so many different expectations, likes and dislikes, that it can almost seem impossible to plan for all your guests' preferences. But this can be done and your budget doesn't have to suffer. Let's take a look at a few ideas for providing your guests with the foods they love while staying within your budget.

Plenty of Special Little Choices

If you have a lot of people coming over for your holiday meal or party, this is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you please them all.  Providing a wide variety of food in small portions is the perfect way to please them all.  Finger foods, hors d'oeuvres, cheese trays, fruit plates, vegetables with dip, and the like are perfect for a party that is all about nibbling and mingling.  However, a holiday party requires a special touch. If you are familiar with tapas, this might be a good time to search for recipes specifically served for these 'small bites' parties.  You'll get a lot of ideas for delicious dishes to serve, both hot and cold. 

Now is the time to rethink some of your classics. You can dress up your pinwheel recipes with over-the-top ingredients for your holiday party.  Rather than use ham and Swiss cheese, choose smoked salmon, arugula, and Gruyere cheese, for instance.  Wrap diced honeydew melon in pancetta and broil for a surprising bite.  Make tiny meat and vegetable bundles inside thin layers of fillo dough. Spoon spiced shrimp into Romaine lettuce leaves. Those are just a few ways to turn familiar appetizer foods into something special and enticing for your guests.

Be sure to have more than enough little serving plates set all over the room so your guests can sample a few bites, walk away, sample another couple dishes, and keep moving.  Guests are bound to set their plates down often, so just be ready with more.  Keep the food interesting with a lot of variety and no one will feel they didn't get what they wanted to eat. This is also great for conversation because everyone is anxious to talk about the tasty item they discovered over on the other side of the room.

The Potluck Makes a Comeback

A wonderfully old-fashioned way to both host a holiday party and make sure you please your guests is to throw a potluck. This is one way to ensure that the dishes you serve will be what your guests will want to eat.  Because, after all, your guests are bringing their favorite dishes! Here you are, providing your guests with bragging rights to their great-grandmother's plum pudding recipe while, at the same time, pleasing your guests tastes and keeping your budget under control. If that sounds sneaky, it's not. Everybody knows the score! Your guests will love providing their favorite dish just as long as you provide the place and the basics for the meal.

When you issue the invitation, keep it casual. Say something on the order of; “You're Invited to a Holiday Potluck,” then explain that you want them to bring a favorite dish of theirs.  Also, let them know to keep their dish small since everyone will be bringing something so you'll have more than enough for everyone. This keeps them from going overboard making way more food than is needed. Be sure to ask what dish they are bringing so you can orchestrate the meal at least a little. You don't want an endless supply of gelatin salads or pinwheels and no sweet potato casserole or veggie tray, for instance.

This is also a great way to start conversations between people as they find their favorite dishes and talk about the recipe. You can also ask your guests to bring recipe cards if they would like to share.  Perhaps you could gather the cards and put them together in a book for your guests as a little Thank You gift for coming and sharing in your potluck party.

Capture Their Attention With Comfort Foods

When planning a party, you naturally want to please everyone's taste buds.  And what's more pleasing than comfort foods?  Building comfort foods into your menu helps you make sure there is something that everyone likes. Comfort foods are generally inexpensive, can be prepared with ease, and are recognized and loved by most everyone.

Think of your classic comfort foods and you'll usually think of cheesy macaroni, green bean casserole, wild rice mushroom bake, and maybe some creamy mashed potatoes. A fragrant sage stuffing is another food that just makes you go 'ahhhhhh.' 

Whatever your comfort food, if you decide to include one or more with your meal, just have it match the style of the dinner.  For instance, if you are serving a variety of 'small bites' for your meal, go ahead and make the comfort food, but instead of making it in a big casserole, create tiny bites in mini-muffin tin cups. Tiny bites of sage stuffing will match the finger food style of the party but still offer the comfort you and your guests are craving.

When you are trying to please a lot of people, there are three main options you have for making sure everyone is satisfied even when you have a limited budget. Offer a lot of choices in the 'tiny bites' style, host a potluck, and finally include comfort foods that satisfy most everyone.  Your job as host is to make sure your guests are well fed and happy.  With these options, you can tweak your menu and style in ways that will have your guests very pleased indeed.

How To Decorate Your Holiday Table On A Budget

Create Holiday Decorations Your Way

Once you get the menu planned for your holiday celebration, you most likely will start thinking about decorating.  But when you think of the price of decorations, you panic.  How will you be able to create a festive atmosphere on a tight budget?  It's not difficult if you keep in mind that sometimes simple is best.  Let's take a look at how you can create decorations you love while staying within your budget.

Stay True to Your Style

It's a fact that when decorating for a holiday, the fewer pieces you buy the better.  Not only will your budget thank you, but it's often true that less-is-more.  But, along with keeping your decorations simple and focused, your decorations should also reflect your style.  Not only will this make your guests more comfortable in your home, the decorations will also fit in your home for many years and seasons to come.

Choosing the 'Now' or 'It' styles touted by stylists doesn't typically work for most people, especially people on a budget.  If you can't afford to swap out your decorations every year, then you shouldn't go with the latest fads.  Do you really want to be stuck with mauve color silk floral wreaths, lights, and ribbons all over the house if your style is more on the natural, earthy, rustic side?  It costs a lot of money to replace boxes and boxes of previous years' decorations simply because you just can't stand putting them out again.  Look around your house now.  What style are you?  Now look for inspiration and choose the décor that fits your style and will make you happy for years to come.

Be Inspired

Now you need inspiration, but don't go to the mall yet!  This is a common mistake. Don't get stuck in the décor aisle in the big department store without knowing what you're looking for. You are bound to start grabbing things that are pretty, and then paying a pretty price for way too much stuff.  Instead, know what you're looking for before you shop, or create.  Take the time to look through the glossy design magazines and pull a few ideas that you like.  Your public library will have these magazines to borrow, so you don't even need to spend any money, except a few cents to run the photocopier perhaps.  Tune into the home and garden television shows, too.  Again, find one or two themes that fit your style and make notes so you can build your holiday décor around them. 

A newer place to find inspiration to get your creativity flowing is the online site called Pinterest. Pinterest is an online bulletin board that allows people to share pictures with anyone who chooses to log on.  There are virtually millions of images to scroll through and be inspired by.  It's easy to start finding inspiration on Pinterest. Just set up a free account and begin your search with something easy like 'holiday decorations.'  Once you start finding your way around, you'll have enough inspiration to start designing your own festive holiday decorations as easily and as frugally as you want. And, as opposed to getting caught up in impulse buying at the store, this inspiration doesn't cost you a dime.

Create it Yourself

Now that you know your style and have your inspiration, it's time to decorate.  When it comes to getting your decorations together, it may be more cost efficient to design your own. If you pulled inspiration from Pinterest, be sure to click through to the websites that feature the design you like.  There are often DIY instructions to create similar decorations. Most magazines also offer a website to find more detailed information about their décor choices.

Keep an open mind.  If you can't invest in the fancy tablecloth you spotted online, see if you can create something around the same look.  If, for instance, you love the embroidered fall leaf design, recreate it with fabric paint and stencils or stamps on a plain white tablecloth.  If you love the glitter and glow of a fireplace mantle lined with dozens of designer candles and glass beads, buy a big box of candles at the dollar store and boxes of clear tree ornaments and create your own sparkling decoration on your mantle. These decorations are inspired by designer elements, but you add your own touches making them true to your style, and budget!

Holiday decorating doesn't have to be expensive if you find the inspiration you need to create your own festive atmosphere.  Choose the style that fits you and create it yourself for less money, as well as the added benefit of making it uniquely yours.  Your guests will be comfortable in your home because it's warm and inviting and fits your style.  And that's what decorating is all about!

How To Celebrate The Holidays On A Tight Budget

Change The Rules And Say Goodbye To Costly Traditions

Holiday traditions become traditions for a reason – we love them.  But sometimes our budget doesn't love them quite so much.  When you get trapped into doing certain things and having certain foods during holiday gatherings, spending beyond your budget is a distinct possibility. How can you get away from paying more than you want to for these traditional foods and holiday entertainment year after year?  It may be a bit uncomfortable at first, but when you see the savings, you'll be glad you learned to break away.

Traditions May Have To Fall

It is very often difficult to break with tradition, especially during the holidays.  However, if you're hosting a holiday gathering and you have a budget to consider, you may have to step on some toes. I won't say it's going to be easy. The struggle may be internal, in your own mind.  Or, the struggle may be external, family members telling you that you “simply can't” skip Grandma's special six-hour-twelve-layer-dessert that cost as much to make as Junior's orthodontist bill.

Personal feelings can play a big part in these traditions. If you break the news to the family that you can't see your way clear to make something or do something, and you're met with shrieks and tears, then suggest that someone go ahead and take on that particular tradition.  You don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but be honest.  Then, if someone wants to take up the mantle, by all means, let them. Everyone wins, tradition is intact if someone feels it should be, and you are off the hook for the expense. And remember, not everyone in the family is in love with the tradition that you've been trying to figure out how to eliminate from your plans.  Do a fact-check in your family and find out before you spend the money and time on something nobody really wants.

Brainstorming New Traditions

If you and your family agree that a tradition must be lovingly set adrift, it is time to begin anew. This is where everything starts getting interesting, and fun. It's time to get everyone on board and start brainstorming. So the question is put to the family; If we're going to let go of the huge meal and all the other expense surrounding a holiday, what do we replace it with?

A fun idea to break away from tradition is to set a theme for your holiday dinner.  Have everyone bring one dish that they feel is consistent with that theme. For instance, make your dinner about the immigration of people from all over the world.  Feature dishes and decor from any region you think would be interesting. Choose areas of the world that are unknown to you, or celebrate your own heritage, or share a dish you enjoyed from your travels. Have fun with the variety that a themed event can provide. But, don't stop there.  How would you like to host a beach party for Christmas?  Or a picnic for Thanksgiving?  Or a traveling meal, going between a few houses instead of one person responsible for the entire meal? The brainstorming session is all about throwing ideas on the table for everyone to consider.  Let your thoughts run wild and have fun with this new experience.

You Don't Have To Do It Again

Now that you are excited about brainstorming new ideas, it's time to remind everyone that even THIS new tradition doesn't have to be a tradition.  Next year you may forget the theme and just have hot sandwiches and movies.  The following year maybe you will host a Christmas breakfast instead of dinner.  Nothing is written in stone – even traditions.  

The idea is that if you have the privilege of hosting a holiday gathering for your family and friends, then you have the say about exactly what sort of event it will be.  Are you going to tote out Grandma's celery seed biscuits again, and throw them all out again, or are you going to get creative?

You don't have to stick to traditions when they don't workout for your budget.  And when you try new traditions, you don't have to do it again. Don't let traditions dictate your budget.  Find a way to break free and enjoy what's really important – spending time with people you love and having some fun!