How to Host Family Gatherings Without Missing Your Family
Recently, a friend and I were visiting, and the subject of family gatherings came up in the conversation. Apparently, we both have the same frustrations – even if we do a full day’s prep ahead of time, we are so busy during the gathering that we miss out on visiting with the family. It is a lot of pressure. I wanted to find out how to host family gatherings without missing your family.
Since I wanted to get as many ideas as I could without giving up sacred family traditions, I turned to many of you for answers. I did little survey on social media, and I would love to share the results. I tried to shorten the list, but there are so many great ideas!
Casual Family Gatherings
Sometimes the casual gatherings can almost be just as overwhelming as the major holidays, but they don’t have to be. The picture above is one of my favorites, because it was just a casual family meal. We had spent the day at the beach, Kristy cooked spaghetti, and we were very relaxed! It was a great way to enjoy each other.
Here are some of the ideas people shared to have quality time during casual family gatherings:
- For family vacation put ribs in a smoker days prior and then freeze them – reheat them – fall off the bone good. (Anna)
- Chili with all the fixings (Lisa)
- 2 hour ribs (Bob)
- Pick your favorite restaurant. Everyone picks their favorite food, order and pick up. Then split the check and tip. (Jennifer)
- Get the ingredients for homemade pizza and everyone can make their own. Buy the small individual prepared pizza shells. (Sheila)
Join Me
Major Holiday Family Gatherings
We always do a Christmas brunch with the kids. Anyone who wants to spend the night can. I try to make it simple, but many of the things I have chosen in the past had to be made that morning. This year plan on choosing a menu that is not a lot of work, not a lot of time, and can be prepared ahead of time.
These ideas were given for when you gather for holidays (Easter, Thanksgiving, & Christmas, etc.)
Prep Ahead
- Call a caterer and the family all pays equally.
- Private chef
- Potluck style – host does meat/family members contribute sides. (Courtney)
- Order from Cracker Barrel. (Shawntay)
- Have everyone that comes to dinner brings a dish. (Cheryl)
- Order a variety of take and bake dishes from restaurants. (Kellye)
- Get the family fajita pack or tacos from Fiestas in Caddo. A couple do the drinks & desserts. (Kelly)
- Pre-order a ham from Honey Baked ham and have it delivered a week before the holidays.
- Bake the ham overnight so it is ready in the morning.
- Get the holiday packages at Cracker Barrel. We still make our favorites too like stove top and green bean casserole. This saves much time! (Robert)
- Prep everything you can in advance.
- Bake cakes early and freeze them.
- Make pies a day or two before.
- Semi-Homemade desserts are great! This Turtle Cheesecake takes no time,
- Make Christmas cookies two weeks before and ice and decorate a couple of days before Christmas Eve. (Tricia)
- Spend time together cooking and cleaning. (Rachael)
Easy Food and Meal Ideas
- Brisket with potato salad
- Non traditional food
- Potluck style meal – Designated people bring certain dishes but only one dish, enough to feed their family. (Rachel)
- Depending on the time of year, you could have a backyard barbeque.
- Spiral sliced ham ahead of time and then slice and plate it.
- Dinner rolls for sandwiches with the ham or just to go with it.
- Quick side dishes (hot or cold) that can be heated up and set on the table.
- Buffet style with lots of sides that can be made ahead of time.
- Pasta salads, fruit salads, salads, baked beans, casseroles that were pre-baked
- Cheese plates
- Finger foods (Pat)
- Nacho bar (Misty)
- Chinese take out (Casey)
- Mexican stack up with beef & chicken in crockpots and all the toppings (Kathryn)
- Lasagna, garlic bread and salad
- Smoke a tenderloin and have baked potatoes and veggies, rolls and desserts.
- Earthquake cake freezes very well. (Melissa)
- Pick a different theme at each holiday.
- Each family brings a dish for the main meal and a dessert. One family offers to do the meat.
- Taco bars, Mexican dishes, traditional, breakfast, etc. (Kendra)
- Roast a turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans and bake fresh sweet potatoes whole.
- Make cranberry sauce the day before.
- Do a rib roast, wild rice pilaf, glazed carrots, and rolls. (Erika)
- Build your own taco bar. Everything is prepared a day or two before and just set it out. Reheat things in the microwave. (Jeanna)
- Finger foods – sometimes pizza, we decide a week or 2 before. We as a household do a trip over the holiday. Our gift to the kids is the experience and of course, there’s usually some good food involved. (Deanna)
Miscellaneous Ideas for Family Gatherings
- Have a family meeting either in person or on the phone to plan the menu and details together.
- Use paper plates & plastic cups for easy clean-up! (Kathryn)
- Use heavy paper plates so no dishes. (Robert)
- You need multiple crock pots. (Christina)
- Use crock pot liners for easy clean-up. These are the best things!
- Use Solo cups in coordinating colors to match your decor. Look at this adorable Drink Cup Organizer.
Other Quick Meal Ideas for Large Groups
These are some of the meals we have tested out and love. They are quick and easy to prepare for a large family or group, and they make for an easy clean-up!
- Baked Potato Bar and FAQ and Ideas for the Ultimate Baked Potato Bar
- Nacho Bar
- Other Fun Party Ideas
Fancy Finds for Family Gatherings
I have just recently gotten to where I love decorating the tables for special meals. In fact, last year I bought new sets of Thanksgiving dishes that I adore!
I am not ready to do away with those just yet. I may use them for Thanksgiving and then give my Christmas dishes a break for the big family events this year.
As I was thinking about this, I went to Amazon and found the cutest paper/plastic products for all occasions! These are just a few.
All of these come in a variety of colors.
- 1 – Gingham Print Disposable Dinner Ware
- 2 – Gingham Napkins (Set of 100)
- 3 – Variety of Seasonal Plates (Sets of 50) All Seasons
Related Scripture
“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’
‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'”
I am not comparing the importance of our relationships with our families to our relationships with the Lord. However, the whole point of family gatherings is to spend good time with family.
My family is always trying to help, but I usually tell them that I have it. I think I will take the advice about working together in the kitchen. The preparation will be a little more fun that way! My goal now is to let go of a few things and enjoy my family! They are worth it!
Please join me in this challenge. If you have other ideas for family get-togethers, by all means please share them! It is always good to have options.
Let’s live in the present moment of our family gatherings and remember the most important thing: Make lasting memories and enjoy your family time. Whether you have a big family or a small one, may we all be able to host family gatherings without missing our family.
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Related Posts
Kitchen Table Memories
Fun and Easy Ideas for Family Meals and Game Night
Simple Easter Menu Ideas for the Whole Family
Ideas for the Best Traditional Thanksgiving Menu
How to Make Fun Easter Traditions with Cascarones
Until next week…
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“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19
Love these ideas so much, Susan! My Mom was like you she did EVERYTHING and we just sort of showed up and felt awful that she missed half the meal because she was back and forth from the table to the kitchen. Plus, she was also tired from prepping all day and while her physical body was there you could tell her mind was on the meal. We finally sat down and talked to her about how we could make things less stressful and now she lets us help. She still has certain ways she wants things but at least she lets us bring food now. One of my sister brings the charcuterie and the apps. another helps with the salad or sides, and I bring an easy dessert. We make her sit in the living room while my Dad and the rest of us help with the dinner dishes and their housekeeper comes an extra day to help clean before we get there so that makes it easier on my Mom too. Now instead of worrying if the biscuits are burning she plays games and is fully present in our conversations. It’s so much better now! I hope you’ll let your family help you too. It’s hard when you’re an adult but you don’t want to step on any toes or tell your parents what to do. I’m proud of you for speaking up and finding a solution that works for all of you. Hosting is not as easy as it looks on Instagram 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
I love these ideas and the way y’all took charge! I am definitely taking your advice and letting people help this year. I usually don’t know what to tell them to help with, but I think with extra planning, I can get that part handled as well. I agree, I’m not sure Instagram hosting can even be a real thing. 😂
Susan, everyone gave such great ideas here. I like #3&4 on your Amazon paper product list.
Visiting today from Joanne’s. xo
Thank you! Who knew there were so many cute paper products?
There are so many beautiful ideas! Finding the perfect balance is hard, but I am slowly learning to let things go and let others help. It is hard, but we do need to be able to enjoy our family. As you said, that is what it is all about. Thanks for sharing so many excellent suggestions to help to lighten the load for all of us.
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