Day 3 is where we get serious about the Christmas Meal. Its time to plan the menu. And with so many choices, where to start? First, let’s just get everything on paper. Start a list of all the potential menu items. Include all the family favorites, all the desserts, and all the sides. Second, circle the best ones. That should narrow down your list. The whole point of this exercise is to create a menu that is exciting and varied, includes the main offerings that you want, and also uses the Spirited Food Method to balance it out. Also keeping in mind that we are aiming to find the balance between a really good spread and something that is easy for you to execute. Click Here to see how I generally structure my Holiday menu (this will lead you to my skool community, which is where I keep all the goodies) Now, you can already see that just by following a menu format you can easily create a great menu with plenty of options; and there are not too many, meaning that this will be straightforward to execute. So, first part of our criteria : a varied menu that YOU can do is met. The second part of the criteria for menu creation is using the Spirited Food Method: I intentionally add vegetables in some form to this menu, and I try to add at least two. You can see that I already included the Brussels Sprouts and the green beans so that criteria is already met. You may want to substitute an item for a green vegetable, a fresh Fall salad, a marinated vegetable slaw, a vegetable casserole to meet this criteria. But keep it simple and make sure it is an item that you feel excited about. Tomorrow: Holiday indulgences and the best part of the menu…Dessert!

Simplify, Organize, & Prep Like a Pro The Prep List is the secret weapon of every successful holiday host. Day 5 centers on organization: by planning shopping, prepping ingredients, and assembling menus ahead of time, you’ll transform your cooking experience from chaotic to effortless. Also you will be guided by a Chef! Embracing chef-level tricks, like making lists, marinating, making sauces, prepping food in advance, and batching recipes help you save time. This approach reduces last-minute stress, prevents forgotten items, and keeps clean-up smooth. You’ll feel calm, confident, and in control, because you are doing most of the work ahead of time. Today is all about thinking ahead : what can be done early so that it just needs reheating or a short finish in the oven? What can be made tomorrow and finished? What parts can be finished tomorrow making the final dishes easy to assemble? I walk you though how to easily think through your menu and get everything done ahead of time in a way that makes sense. There is a process to this and Day 5 is the beginning of making hosting a pleasure—not pressure—creating room for laughter, connection, and new memories. Tomorrow learn how to put this plan into action!

Today is where you set yourself up for success. You already have all the ingredients and have a prep list planned out so it is time to get to work. Day 6 is a walk through of how to get your menu done with ease. Today is about getting all the heavy lifting done so that you can execute the menu easily and on time tomorrow. The whole point of today is to prep to the point of having most menu items just ready to be finished tomorrow. We will NOT be waiting for the water to boil so we can make mashed potatoes tomorrow… We will even work in some clean up time during the day so the entire kitchen isn’t thrashed

The grand finale of your challenge is a Day 7 that can feel triumphant, joyful, and effortlessly orchestrated. Because you took intentional steps all week (shopping is done, the timeline is set & dishes are prepped), all you have to do now is finish and put together your meal. Finally… Hosting, cooking, and serving can feel smooth, allowing you to be fully present with loved ones. You can feel good that you have put together a menu that is balanced and delicious. The gift of preparation keeps giving - You can finish the holidays feeling recharged instead of depleted, knowing that you maintained traditions, food, and self-care. Celebrating yourself for a successful prep and setting the tone for a healthy, happy new year. This is something you can easily carry forward into 2026!

Fudge and Oreo Truffles