Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of infusing joy and love into holiday meal preparations, drawing from personal experiences and the author's mother's traditions.

Abstract

The author reflects on the joy and love that are essential ingredients in hosting a holiday meal, inspired by the Thank You Notes publication on Medium. Recalling the author's mother's dedication to cooking with love over four decades, the article highlights the significance of thoughtful meal planning, accommodating dietary needs, and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Despite the challenges of hosting, the author finds satisfaction in preparing homemade dishes, honoring traditions, and bringing people together, noting that the effort and positive energy put into the food enhance its taste and the overall experience.

Opinions

The author believes that love is a key ingredient in cooking, making the food taste better and creating lasting memories.
Preparing a holiday meal is an act of nourishment, not just physically but emotionally, through careful consideration of guests' preferences and dietary restrictions.
Joy in cooking is especially present during holiday preparations, as it transcends the routine of daily meal preparation.
The process of cooking for others, especially during holidays, is a creative and fulfilling endeavor that celebrates family and tradition.
The author values the details in meal preparation, from the menu to the decorations, and believes these thoughtful touches contribute to the overall dining experience.
While acknowledging the potential stress of hosting, the author encourages asking for help and not being afraid to take shortcuts, such as buying pre-made items, to enjoy the process more fully.
The article suggests that guests can sense the effort and joy put into meal preparation, enhancing their enjoyment and appreciation of the food.

Are You Hosting A Holiday Meal?

Don’t go without these two ingredients: joy and love

I love reading the Thank You Notes publication. If you’re feeling down and need a dose of smiles or gratitude, it will bring you that inner sunshine.

This week, editor Trista Signe Ainsworth invited us to think about joyful preparation.

She shares her own story about preparing for a tea party with her friends, enjoying the process of perusing through tea books, and dreaming about thoughtful decorations. It brought a smile to my face just reading it.

I started thinking about my own joy in preparing food for others, especially now that I’m hosting more holiday meals.

Ingredient #1 —love

My mom has been cooking our holiday meals for about four decades, and you can always taste the love in the food.

She starts preparing the meal months in advance! She asks me questions like:

Do you think I should make the apple crisp again or should I try something different? I know you like the apple crisp.

She wants to make sure everyone is happy at the table, and that they have something they love to eat. She also wants to honor tradition. Over the years I would watch her run around and orchestrate a meal with not many helping hands and a tiny kitchen. She always made magic and memories.

She’s almost seventy-seven years old, and it’s now my time to cook for her.

This year was my first time hosting a big Thanksgiving meal; actually two of them, back-to-back (for those modern complicated family structures).

In our tiny apartment, my husband and I cooked up a storm to feed ten people on Saturday, and another six on Sunday.

What Does A Vegan Thanksgiving Look Like?

An assortment of delightful foods and a lot of gratitude

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I know there are shortcuts to making meals for a lot of people, and I took a couple. I bought prepared cornbread crumbs to make the stuffing, and I didn’t make my homemade broth. But everything else we made was from scratch, and it was such a pleasure taking the time to do it.

I put in a lot of love.

Love is a form of nourishment.

Love is in the details.

I take a lot of time to think about the details. I’m just like my mom.

Who is at the table and what do they like?

What can I make that is different and that someone wouldn’t have at home?

What can I do to honor tradition?

How can I accommodate everyone’s dietary needs?

What kind of thoughtful touches and decorations can we add?

When and how will we serve the appetizers and the meal?

When will I buy the ingredients and where will I get them?

What kind of music should I put on? Should we have music?

What type of gratitude/ prayer would make everyone feel comfortable?

Ingredient #2 — joy

I’ll admit that even though I’m a cook, preparing meals every night does become tedious at times. But when I’m preparing a holiday meal, I enjoy the process thoroughly.

I feel joyful when I’m preparing the food because I’m in my element. I love to create. People gather and take the time to savor a holiday meal. There’s something so satisfying about sharing food that we’ve created in our home, to celebrate tradition and family.

When you prepare something with joy, it takes on a different quality. All of that prana (life force) in the food is augmented by your own joy. The food tastes better, and I believe that people taste and feel that, even if it’s not apparent.

Thanksgiving was a lot of work and fun. It was worth it because all that preparation brings people together. They smile with full bellies.

Now I’m planning Christmas dinner!

Joy and love. What more do we need?

For me, it’s preparing food for those I love, and holidays are a newfound joy.

What do you like to prepare that brings you joy?

Just remember that if you are hosting a holiday dinner this season, breathe! Ask for help if you need it. If you need to, buy some things and make the rest. Most of all, enjoy the process.

People will taste the difference.