Holiday meal planning

It is easy to get wrapped up in all the fun and food that comes with the holiday season. It is a wonderful time of year; however, it can be difficult to manage the many activities without proper planning.

Taking time to prep before the season begins can help you keep the holidays enjoyable for you and your family while minimizing stress. This can be achieved by having a plan in place. Consider the steps below to help you and your family plan your holiday meals to avoid last-minute inconveniences.

Plan your menu

While planning can seem overwhelming, it can make things easier. The first thing you should think about is how many guests you will entertain and whether there are any dietary needs to be considered. Next, you can plan to prepare dishes specific to such needs.

If you do not want to do all the work or are looking to try new things, ask your guests to bring a side dish to share.

Shopping and cost

After menus are planned, you need to consider thecost. A good starting point is to look at your financial situation and come up with an amount you are comfortable spending on your holiday meals.

If you plan early enough, you can start to set funds aside each paycheck to ensure you have the money you need. You can also slowly buy some non-perishable ingredients from your grocery account, to help keep the cost down toward the holidays.

Try not to look at this as a “budget” but rather a spending account. Changing your mindset helps you think about the money you can spend and rather than the money you do not have to spend.

Once you have confirmed your menu and guests attending, you can begin making a list of items that will be needed to make your holiday meal. Here are a few ways to help keep the costs down:

• The number of guests you expect will determine the size and turkey preparation needed for your feast. Shop early for the turkey, chain stores usually place turkeys on sale the first part of November. • Shop your pantry! Yes, shop your pantry for ingredients you already have. According to the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a family of four spends an estimated $1,500 each year on food waste. So, check your pantry for anything you might have available over the last few months that can be used for your holiday needs.

Look for ingredients that you can pull together that might save you money. By making an item from scratch, you can help keep the cost down and help lower your food waste.

• Purchase the items necessary to complete your meal. When purchasing, look for sales. Local grocery stores tend to have items on sale all month long to help you start purchasing early.

If you can spread the cost of shopping for non-perishable items throughout the month you can help eliminate the financial burden from the holiday. This can also help limit stress as the holiday nears as you will have those items already purchased and not have to rush to the store, hoping the item is still in stock.

Turkey prep

To keep your stress down and food safe to eat, it is best to have a schedule for meat thawing and cooking times. A turkey can take a considerable amount time to defrost, the USDA recommends 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds.

When defrosting you should put the meat on a platter and on the lowest shelf of your refrigerator. The platter will catch any drippings to prevent contamination.

If you run into any problems while cooking your turkey, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry is staffed and ready to take your call, year-round, including all-day Thanksgiving. To talk with an expert call 1-800-288-8372 or text 844-877-3456.

Remember the memories made with your loved ones during the holidays are what matter the most. Even if things do not go as you planned, take a moment for yourself to remember what is important.

The NMSU Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service wishes you a stress-free and happy holiday season!

Program announcements

To register for an upcoming program, call the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service at 505-565-3002. For more information, visit valenciaextension.nmsu.edu.

• 2024 4-H Open Enrollment ends Jan. 31, 2025. Come join the 4-H fun. Visit the website for the 2024-25 4-H enrollment guidelines at valenciaextension.nmsu.edu/4h/join.html and call 505-565-3002 for more information.

• Rista-Making Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center, 1036 Miller Road, Los Lunas. Enjoy a hands-on workshop to learn the art of creating a New Mexico favorite that can be used for decoration or culinary exploration, the red chile ristra. If you want to be a part of the preparation process, help harvest the red chile for this workshop from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7. The workshop is free to participate, but you must be registered. Call the Valencia County CES Office to register at 505-565-3002 by Nov. 6.

• Extension Homesteading and YOU series, Pantry Staples, is from9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14. Come make and take cost-effective dry pantry staples. A follow-up class in 2025 with condiments will be hosted. Call the Valencia County CES Office to register at 505-565-3002.

• Winter Extravaganza is from 6-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, at the Peralta Methodist Church, 25 Wesley Road, Peralta. Enjoy an evening with friends, creating winter-themed crafts (or gifts)! You will take home one large, one medium and two small crafts with instructions. Call the Valencia County CES Office to register at 505-565-3002. The event fee is $20 to participate and is to be paid in advance by Dec. 2.

• Agriculture School Enrichment Programs fall/winter themed programs related to the science of agriculture are offered to elementary and middle school-aged students. Contact Sierra Cain for program offerings and scheduling atsierragh@nmsu.eduor 505-565-3002.

If you are an individual with a disability who requires auxiliary aid or service to participate in a program, please contact the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service Office at 505-565-3002 two weeks in advance of the event.

(Crystal L. Garcia-Anaya is the FCS/4-H youth development agent with New Mexico State University, Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service.)