The holiday season is among those of us within the Jewish community. Because there are several holidays that occur back-to-back, it is important that you take the time to properly prepare for holiday meals well in advance. Most Jewish holiday celebrations involve lavish meals that take a great deal of effort and time to prepare. Here are a few tips that we have compiled to help your holiday meal planning go smoothly this year.

 

Write out a full menu of dishes you want to prepare and serve. Before the holidays roll around, be sure to jot down a list of menu items that you wish to cook and serve to your guest. Make separate lists for each holiday celebration. You may want to also separate the menu items into categories such as appetizers, main course, dessert, drinks, etc. After you have made a list of items that you would like to cook you should then make a list of ingredients that you need in order to prepare said items. This way, you can get all of the items you need for the various holiday meals in one trip to the kosher market.

 

Don’t wait until the last minute to purchase food. It goes without saying that most people are busy around the holiday season as they tend to be swamped with errands, household chores, and other tasks associated with preparing for the holiday season. Even though it is a busy time, you should be sure to purchase the food you need for holiday meals well in advance. You can do this by making a trip to the local market, or by simply ordering your kosher food items online. Either way, don’t wait until the last minute. If you do, you run the risk of not being able to purchase all of the items that you need as some as likely to be sold out.

 

Consider the needs of your family and holiday guests. If you are hosting a holiday dinner at your home, it is important to take into account the dietary needs of your guests. For example, if one of your family members has a food allergy and cannot consume food that contain gluten, you may have to prepare separate gluten-free dishes for that individual. Knowing this ahead of time can save you a lot of time, money and frustration in the long run. If you are not aware of any specific dietary issues with anyone in your family, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask. Better safe than sorry!