Stressed About the Holiday?

I thought I'd closed comments on that page. (They're closed now! )

As for your dilemma: Recruit help from your friends and especially your hubby (it's his mom). If you can, hire a one-time someone to help you clean. Even if it's just a high school girl, it'll help. Don't try to do all the cooking yourself. Ask for help! When you reach the end of the time you can devote to it, give the rest of it over to your chosen higher power and relax and enjoy yourself as much as you can.

Did I mention asking for help? Yes.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

First, Congrats on being a newlywed!!

Second, breathe!

I know it feels pretty overwelming to have to be perfect for the inlaws. I used to feel that way. I lucked out that my MIL doesn't keep a spotless house. We have a deal: I don't look at her messes and she won't look at mine! LOL!

Is it only the six of you, or will there be more (siblings, their kids, etc.)? Just asking because six is a breeze, any more you just need to make a bit more!

Plan a menu out ahead of time. Most definatly assign each couple to bring something (a dessert, a side dish, something). Bake ahead and freeze! When you have a free afternoon or evening, bake up a double batch of cookies, banana bread, or something along those lines and put it in the freezer. Then all you have to do is get it out to thaw the morning of your gathering.

Is your company spending the night, or just coming by for the day? If the former, then clean the bedroom they are going to stay in and if at all possible and don't use that room til then. The day before they arrive, spiff up that room with a quick dusting and vacuum. Do that with any room you can get away with, too. Don't try to clean everything in one day. If you can, devote a room a day. It doesn't need to be a deep cleaning. Dust, vacuum, declutter. If decluttering is the problem and you don't have time to sort, then get a box, box up all the clutter, and put it in an offlimits are (attic, closet). I so need to take my own advice! LOL!

If your mother is anything like mine, she will bend over backwards to help out. Take advantage of it! Mom's can be really great! (Last year I had a baby days before Thanksgiving. My mom, grandmother, and stepfather flew out to help out with the newborn and other three children and did ALL the work to host Thanksgiving at my house so I wouldn't have to try to go anywhere. And we had 17 here for dinner! My only job was to debone the turkey after dinner, something I can do very well and do while sitting).

There was a thread not to long ago about what to fix for Thanksgiving dinner. There were alot of ideas that were easy but looked like you spent time on it. Like added a couple of things to plain ol' Stove Top stuffing. Cooking the turkey in an extra large Reynolds roast bags (that's my idea. I have yet to have a turkey that wasn't delicious that way!). Check it out to get some quick and easy food tips.

Sorry, I get lengthy. I love hostessing family gatherings! I having a small one tonight (well, a cousin and my MIL are coming over because all the husbands are gone deer hunting for a week. I'm making homemade pizza and we are watching Cars. Well, the kids are watching it. We will visit and kill a few Pina Coladas and Margaritas! I think I'll make some Vidalia Onion dip!)