Simplifying Holidays By Using Tradition
Posted on November 20, 2007 by LJ
Photo by toholio
Holidays are always stressful. A few years ago I did a hard look at everything we did to determine what could be done away with. But still there is a lot of work to be done at the holidays, even with a simplified schedule. In honor of American Thanksgiving this week, I want to pass on one of my simplicity secrets.
Tradition
Holidays are steeped with tradition. Every holiday finds us doing the same thing. This is why people eat turkey at Thanksgiving rather than hot dogs. (Not that there is anything wrong with hot dogs, and quite frankly I have been sorely tempted to go that route in the past…) But if you can establish a tradition, you will simplify your work and lower your stress in future years.
Putting Tradition To Work
The idea behind tradition is that we do the same things every year. By saving our footwork and planning, we cut out steps that we would otherwise have to do from scratch every year. My motto is that if you can do it once or do it ten times, choose doing it once and be done with it!
Examples from my Thanksgiving
The best illustration of how this works is to share how I do my Thanksgiving. We do the traditional spread: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry salad, yeast rolls and pumpkin pie. Last year, as I was making out the lists, I typed up the menu above. I also typed up a shopping list, so I have that task done. All I need to do is go to the grocery store (or send the spouse!)
Next is the preparation schedule. Some things can be done the day before, like the pie and the salad. So last year, as I was making the dishes, I noted down how long it took to do each dish and when I prepared it. This year I know I can start the cranberry salad the night before, and it will take one hour. I also know when to start the turkey, and when to start the potatoes, etc. So the planning is done.
The other beauty of this is I can add other elements to the holiday and not get stressed out. This year I will be doubling the amount of people I am cooking for.
What this has done for me is provided a solid list of instructions to follow to produce a product. If this were manufacturing facility, these would be called “Standard Operating Procedures” (SOPs). It takes actions that are repeated and gives instructions on how to produce the same result.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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