We all wish to have a stress-free Christmas and have a fun filled day. So this post is written with that goal in mind.
For me, life and Christmas is all about cherishing the moments and creating great memories.
So here are 5 ways to Save Time this Christmas?
1) Have an Overview Plan
With Christmas being one of the busiest times of the year, having an overview plan of activities, meal plans and schedule, will help in giving you calm over the busy festive period.
Meal planning is a great practice and especially around the Christmas week, it will save you time, stress and money by knowing what your meals are in advance.
This will give you a clear view of your food shopping and preparation needed for the next few days. Even better, by knowing your meals for the week, you can do a bulk preparation and bulk cooking session to maybe free up a few lunches and dinners.
In Fact I recommend building into your weekly meal plan a few cook-free days. More on this below.
2) Know Your Kitchen
As a chef, we know our kitchen inside out and do regular monthly stock takes so we know what products we have and what we need to order/shop for.
This practice can be taken into your home. This little trick can save you time and stress by knowing your kitchen. In my “Make Christmas Special” cooking course, I give you a worksheet that will allow you to do a pantry, fridge & freezer inventory, so you know your kitchen and what you have available.
By taking 5 minutes to fill in it, you will have it on hand when you are working out your weekly meal plan, recipes and shopping list, making life easier for you.
3) Prepare In Advance
The secret is to not be a last-minute Charlie, which for me at least can be a problem. It doesn’t come naturally to me to plan or prepare in advance because I like to live in the moment and go with the flow so I’m giving myself the same advice here.
Like I stated above, you can do bulk prep days during the festive period which will give you free days to enjoy yourself.
I usually do 90% of the food preparation and cooking on Christmas eve, meaning most of the hassle has been done in advance. Which means on the big day, less washing and less preparing so more cherished time with family which is the goal.
You can also on the week or 2 before Christmas, do some family favourites and freeze them. So on certain days when you maybe would like a no-cook day, you can bring them out of the freezer, the night before and you’re ready to go.
With your meal planner and menus, see what might be able to prepare in advance too for the next few days. Are they any sauces that can be done a day or 2 before? Are they vegetables you can prepare and/or cook etc a day or 2 before?
4) Shop Less
Once you know your kitchen, your weekly meal plan and menus, work out your shopping list and everything that’s needed. Obviously you can do all this online these days saving you time actually shopping.
It’s all about being well prepared and knowing as many meal days as possible so the more you know, the less you have to go out shopping for this and that.
Again, advice for myself included, not only will I save time by needing to shop less, I will also save money by not buying extra things I do not need. We all have impulses to add this and that into the basket. Mine is chocolate by the way 🙂
5) Your £27 Secret Ingredient
Why not get a professional and private chef to inspire and support you this Christmas?
With over 20 years as a professional chef and 15 years as a private superyacht chef, I know how to cook for special events and occasions.
I’ve designed my “Make Christmas Special” cooking course to show you how to organise, prepare and cook fabulous meals over the Christmas period.
My aim and desire is to free you from the kitchen so that you can spend quality time with friends and family.
I myself don’t like to be cooking ALL the time so my course is designed to give you all of the worksheets and preparation hacks to save you time, stress and money.
Learn more about all the full video demonstrations, planners and all the bonuses, Get Access Here
Let’s have a great Christmas and I wish you lots of happy times ahead.
Happy Cooking.
Paul aka PopUp Chef
