This time of year, if you are hosting guests for the holiday, your house is probably filled with more people than usual. Sure, you are well prepared to create that special holiday meal, but what about the rest of the time? Your family has to eat, so here are a few suggestions to stock your house for company.
Keep breakfast simple. If you have the ability to make a few things ahead of time, most breakfast foods freeze extremely well. It's easy to pop that waffle or French toast into the toaster and have a quick breakfast. If you don’t have time to plan ahead, buy some bagels, cereal, yogurt, and lots of fruit. Self-serve at breakfast time is best due to varying waking times—it also cuts down the noise for those who like to sleep if you have options that don’t require pots and pans.
For lunch, I like to have dishes on hand that can last for several days and get better with time. Soups and chilis are a great staple to have in the house—they can be placed in a crockpot so they are available throughout the day without preparation. Taco meat and pastas can also be crockpot-friendly, depending on the recipe, and can add some variety. Be sure to also have some bread, cheese, and cold cuts available for do-it-yourself sandwiches. Again, make sure that plenty of fruit is available.
For snacks, I recommend buying in bulk and apportioning in plastic baggies. The snacks will last longer and be available to grab and go. It also keeps parents from having to monitor kids quite as closely.
Dinner tends to be a family gathering time or time for special plans. Decide what you are doing at the beginning of the day so you know whom and what to expect at this mealtime. If you need to serve a large crowd each day, consider taking turns so that one person isn’t overburdened with planning the meals—it's much easier on the hosts when they are not responsible for every meal.
Enjoy your company, and happy holidays!
