It smells like Christmas - this is how the "perfect" menu is created

The days are getting shorter, the decorations more present: the Christmas season is beginning and the first X-Mas fans are already thinking about what they could serve their families and/or friends for the "feast of love" as a Christmas meal.

Meticulous preparation is the be-all and end-all when it comes to conjuring up a "perfect menu".

The following tips can make the time of preparation a little less stressful.

Note: The advice refers, among other things, to a larger number of guests. Of course, it is not possible to say at this stage how the infection figures and the contact restrictions associated with them will develop during the Corona crisis. 

First planning activities - number of guests and effort

The first question that should come up when it comes to planning the Christmas dinner: How many guests are expected? Because only when the number of people has been clarified can the other steps be tackled.

After that, it's time to get down to the preparation. As a general rule, the more you prepare, the shorter the time the host has to be in the kitchen on the "big day".

Surely no one wants to spend the "feast of love" exclusively at the cooker.

If you generally can't be bothered to pick up the wooden spoon on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you can also opt for alternatives.

How about raclette, for example? The preparation time here is quite manageable and the enjoyment of the pan contents brings the entire family together in a (mostly) relaxed way.

Spoilt for choice - what to serve?

To find the "perfect" Christmas dinner, the internet is an excellent source of inspiration. From simple, time-saving recipes to Grandma's own stuffed goose, just about any recipe can be found here.

Many dishes are also provided with information about the budget, preparation time and so on. In this way, the individual points can be perfectly estimated and integrated into the planning.

The more meticulous the planning, the more potential there is for saving time. Many dishes, for example soups or stews, taste better anyway if they have been allowed to stand for at least 24 hours beforehand.

The best thing to do is to draw up a timetable and move all the steps forward where possible. If you don't have the time to cook the day before, you should at least make sure that all the ingredients are ready to hand in your pantry or fridge. Surely no one wants to spend the morning on Christmas Eve in the supermarket.

Therefore, some ingredients can already be procured at the end of November or beginning of December.

Especially long-life foods, such as red cabbage in a jar or dumplings, can be stored for a long time without spoiling. Fresh food or food that needs to be kept cool will last longer in the freezer, although not every food is suitable for the freezer. It is important to proceed individually.

Christmas Eve - final tips for a stress-free Christmas dinner

If you want to prevent stress on Christmas Eve, you should follow the tips below. Because: it often gets really stressful again on the home stretch.

1. Decoration and small gifts for the guests usually leave a very good Impression. There are no limits to the imagination. The decoration can also be designed long before Christmas.
2. Even the day of Christmas Eve does not have to come without breaks. The starter has to be chilled in the fridge hours beforehand and the duck also needs time in the oven. Exactly this time can be used to find peace and quiet. Whether alone in the kitchen with a glass of wine or in the company of others: there is a lot of potential here to unwind.
3. A relaxed atmosphere helps to enjoy Christmas Eve even as a host. If you ask your guests to quietly catch up on themselves, you can take an incredible load off yourself without seeming rude, for example.

So perfectly prepared, no host need then fear 24 December - whether in the circle of the complete family or under corona conditions and with the corresponding contact restrictions.

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