Health
A HEALTHY AGE
Yes, Virginia, you can have a stress-free holiday season Sit back and consider these tips for reducing your holiday hassles while still having a glorious celebration. by Wendy J. Meyeroff Marcia Kilroy is the over-65 matriarch of a fairly large extended family. Of course, when the holidays come around, Marcia insists that the celebration be held at her home. For years Marcia worked so hard at making the perfect holiday banquet that by the time dinner actually rolled out, she was exhausted, her bad knee was killing her, and she couldn't enjoy the fabulous feast she'd spent two days working on. Sound familiar? If so, sit back and consider these tips for reducing YOUR holiday hassles - while still having a glorious celebration: Tip #1: Don't do everything yourself - Every year Marcia's daughters begged to be allowed to help. She finally decided, "Why not? Why SHOULD I do all the work?" So one daughter now brings dessert, another provides the salad, the sister-in-law brings another contribution. Eventually the grandkids will be brought into the process as well. Tip #2: Don't clean as if the health inspector is coming - We're not advocating dust an inch thick and floors that are filthy. But don't get down to the "white glove" level either. A little dusting and vacuuming, some damp mopping and you should be fine. Don't worry about turning the mattresses, pressing the tablecloths and washing the windows! Tip #3: Don't be afraid to ask for help - It used to be that Marcia had the table all pulled out and set up with the best china and glasses before her guests arrived. Now the sons-in-law pull out the table (lugging the heavy extension boards) and everyone chips in to do the set-up. Tip #4: Don't use this time of year to start experimenting with four new recipes - Either experiment throughout the year -- and then choose your favorites for the holidays - or choose ONE item (NOT the main dish) on a trial basis. (Example: Maybe now's the time to try those dill-roasted potatoes instead of the mashed you always served.) Tip #5: Choose one item as the central focus of your party and play it up - Maybe your specialty is your apple pie. Get out your most gorgeous dessert plate and put it up on a pedestal. Dress it up with pine cones and leaves around it and make it your centerpiece. Tip #6: Consider a dessert buffet for the non-relatives - Have to entertain for business during the holiday season? Want to have some friends over? Fine; just don't try and hold several major dinners between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Invite friends and/or business
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December 2000
Health
associates over for "coffee and...". Have each guest bring a special dessert and you supply a variety of interesting coffees and teas. Get nice paper plates and cups - in fact, go for broke and throw in plastic silverware! Don't worry about what Martha Stewart, Miss Manners or your Aunt Sophie will say. Remember, it's YOUR holiday too. You have a right to enjoy it! * This article is protected by international copyright law. For permission to reprint or for further information on syndicated material for mature readers, please contact Senior Wire News Service at 303-355-3882 or clearmountain@qwest.net
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