Creating Lasting Holiday Memories

It’s that time of year again: the season of giving, family, and food. Dust off the old family cookbooks and bring out your finest holiday-themed china in preparation for that massive family dinner. Do your thing, whether you are baking fresh chocolate chip cookies for Santa, teaching your children how to make the perfect mac and cheese casserole, or sharing a late-night drink with your significant other while your children are in bed waiting for Santa’s arrival. 

Creating these memories is the true reason for the season. There’s nothing better than using the Christmas holiday to spend quality time with family, make some delicious dishes and give back to your community in the process. 

Christmas is the perfect holiday to gather your family and friends to create lasting memories and fun for everyone involved. Whip up one of your favorite passed-down recipes, have a cookie decorating contest with the entire family, build a gingerbread house, or—if you are up for a more intense competition—play a game of Dirty Santa or White Elephant after the kids have been put to bed. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate the holiday, whether through food or fun, take the time to disconnect from the phones, the news, and the outside world to reconnect with those you love most.

Figuring out the big family meal can be frustrating, tiresome, and challenging. If you are unsure how to effectively execute a massive feast for the family, there are other great options you may consider to serve up the perfect meal. If you’re feeling up to tackling that turkey on your own, there are lots of simple staple dishes you can easily create or buy premade, such as mashed potatoes and gravy, a classic bowl of ambrosia, or even a simple, yet classic, apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream and maybe even a little caramel drizzle to top it off.

However, if the home-cooked meal is not for you, you may consider hosting a potluck instead. Designate a specific dish for each of your family members or friends to bring, and for some added fun, make it a contest to see who brings the best dish. This can help alleviate stress for everyone involved and add a greater sense of community and love, while still giving you the opportunity to bring your own signature dish to the table.

Another good option, if you’re in a time crunch—or aren’t necessarily the best cook—is  catering from a local business. It’s a great way to help boost your local economy, as well as make it easier on yourself during the stressful times that are the holidays. And even if these businesses are closed on the day of, you can always order pre-made dishes in advance that you can easily throw in the oven and serve up later without compromising quality and taste. Simple as that!

While the holidays certainly have a lot to do with food, it’s also a great time of year to help surrounding businesses. In Saline County, there are so many small businesses that could use your support. From boutiques to snack shops and even your local florist, there’s a wide range of gifts to find for everyone that you love. Supporting your local businesses is one of many ways to give back to your community this holiday season. It goes to show what Christmas is all about: giving.

And at the end of the day, regardless of how you choose to celebrate, the point of the holidays isn’t to impress everybody or have the best green bean casserole at family dinner, it’s to spend time with those you love and show how much you care for them. So, whether you’re cooking homemade meals or ordering out for dinner, make sure you’re spending quality time with your loved ones and spreading joy for all.