by Carol Itoh

Created on: October 08, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

The mere mention of the phrase The Holiday Season will make most women's pulse accelerate and she may even break out in a cold sweat. With four major holidays within twelve weeks it's enough to put any sane person on edge. Just how close to the proverbial edge? That depends on several factors. How large is your family? Will any holidays be celebrated at your house? How elaborate are you expected to present to your guest? See how the stress factor rises just thinking about it?

But there are several things you can do to alleviate the stress and save your sanity. Press into service any family and friends you have. I'm sure they would be more than happy to help. At Thanksgiving if this holidays falls to host then you then you can make it more pot luck. Ask all the guest to bring a dish. The best way to handle this it to decide for them what dish they can bring. Make a list of the invitees, look at your menu, and decided who cooks what best. Call that person and simply ask them "Can you bring the sweet potato casserole? I need someone to bring it and of everyone coming I know you make it best!" Flattery will get you everywhere. Beside this tactic will eliminate the classic Thanksgiving meal of five green bean casseroles and fifteen packs of dinner rolls when letting guests decided for themselves. To be honest most people are at a loss about what to bring to dinner and would appreciate the suggestion. It also becomes such a moment of pride during the meal when someone compliments a certain dish and another of the guest gets to take credit for a dish so admired. It is the memories we make with family and friends sharing good food, good company, and good times that they will reflect upon well into the new year.

All of this takes preplanning and organization and for you to be aware of what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. Why go through so much? That is a good question indeed. It is so we can enjoy our family and friends while they are with us in our homes. No one wants to visit us only to have to see you run around like a crazy person completing tasks that could have been done earlier or helped with. We all come together during the holidays to love and share with one another. And the best gift you can give yourself this season is to be a calm and loving host to the guest in your home.

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