Getting ready for holiday cooking

[YorkieMomKandis]

I was just wondering how soon everyone gets stocked up for holiday cooking? I didn't really get a chance to last year, since it was our first time to host anything and we were asked at the last minute to do so. I am trying to remember everything that we made last year and trying to get a list ready of everything that we will need.

How soon do you start preparing and can someone tell me when I should start seeing "holiday foods" on sale?

So far, I can remember that I served:

Ham (from Honey Baked Hams)
Broccoli & Cheese Casserole
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Crescent Rolls
Stuffing (very good stuffing bought at Walmart)
Cranberry Sauce
Various desserts



What does everyone else usually make?

[aleighl55]

I was wondering the same thing. I want to make some cookies in a jar and found this really cute idea for hot cocoa at bath and body works but I wasn't about to pay $5 for maybe 2 servings of cocoa.

[Admin Ribbonsnbows]

We usually see the holiday foods go on the LIST around November. You will be amazed at how far your dollar will go this year!! :)

[Mello]

I was wondering the same thing. I want to make some cookies in a jar and found this really cute idea for hot cocoa at bath and body works but I wasn't about to pay $5 for maybe 2 servings of cocoa.

I was just there today and saw those - they're cute! I was trying to figure out how I might pkg up something like that myself. What are you thinking of using to package it up in?

[cocoadiva43]

Getting ready to enjoy all the fun foods for the Holiday last year,I stockpile so much stuff I had to give it away ,so many packs of Betty Cocker cookie mix.:)

[dmw@lakenorman]

It is never too early to plan for a holiday gathering. I don't have a large holiday gathering during Nov/Dec, but we have a large family reunion at my house in July every year. I get a word or excel document together because I have to plan for 3 meals & snacks a day for at least a week. My columns are listed as 'meal(there is a separate line for the main item/side items/desserts) ', 'how many people attending', 'items to purchase( this is specific to the item in the meal column) ' , 'what to do that day' (because when it gets hectic with 30 people around I cannot plan/think ahead). For each meal, I list the specifics I have to purchase/have on hand (including small things such as spices/baking pans/utensils) so I can check it off the list as I purchase the item/make sure it is in the house. Then, by the time comes to make the recipe, I KNOW I have all my ingredients/serving utensils/pans/bakeware, etc. The best thing is that I can use the same list year after year. While some items come off the menu and are replaced by others, it is generally the same main items each year. Because it is not hand written, it is so much easier to maniuplate, and you forget less things. And, having it typed into a spreadsheet, I can see if anything will contend with each other in the oven (like if I have too many baked items planned for a meal), so I can substitute a non oven item for that meal. While this may seem like a lot up front, you can do this while things are quiet, before the holidays get into full gear. As far as when to purchase items, this is my first year as a GG, so I am not an expert in that area. If this is not clear, please PM me with your email address and I will email you a copy of the list I used last year.

[firemama650]

Boy Oh boy do I wish I could post links here, since I can't, I'll just have to tell you to go to Nestletollhouse website and they have recipes for jar cookie mixes. They even have gift cards that you can print, complete with directions for making the cookies.

[Megmul]

Links to name brand websites are fine - we just don't like links to the dealie freebie kinds of sites.

www.verybestbaking.com is one of my favorites.