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I GOT an e-mail from a reader named Christine
recently. Christine just got married and she and her husband Greg
are hosting the family Christmas dinner. She admits that she
volunteered to take care of this special family event even if she
knows nothing about holiday meals. She was honest enough to tell me
that she can’t even pass as a cook since she only knows how to
prepare the classic adobo. “I want to impress my husband, his
family so please help me how to prepare an unforgettable Noche Buena
for the family,” she wrote in her e-mail.
I admire Christine’s honesty
and the effort she’s making in order for her to get close to her
husband’s family. That’s why I sat down immediately and came up
with these suggestions, not only for Christine but for all
first-timers out there who would want to have a truly great Noche
Buena meal with their loved ones.
Here are some tips that can be
helpful:
(1) Always make a headcount. This
will help determine everything you would need from wine glasses to
plates, from drinks to the volume of food you plan to serve.
(2) Do your shopping in advance.
You wouldn’t want to be caught in the Christmas rush, especially
in the supermarket where the lines are unbelievably long. Since you
are juts reading this now, and it’s four days to Noche Buena, you
might want to be at the grocery when its doors open in the morning.
(3) Ask your family members what
they love to eat for Noche Buena. Make some creative inputs but
never stress yourself doing complicated recipes. When you feel that
the task is daunting, you can always call a reputable restaurant or
deli shop and arrange for dishes to be delivered (or picked up) late
afternoon of the 24th. There’s this restaurant called Conti’s
which almost always saves me from being tagged as a lousy party
hostess.
(4) Keep family traditions alive.
My mom makes the best Chicken and Pork Miki. This recipe was handed
down to her by her Uncle Oscar and generations have enjoyed this
specialty of hers. Another tradition in my family is the songs we
play during the meal. We love the Beatles so it’s the Fab Four
that serenades us while we partake our holiday meals.
(5) Potluck is always ‘in.’
You don’t have to cook and prepare everything. Family members and
friends always bring in their share anyway.
(6) Remind the family members
this weekend and reconfirm their attendance.
To Christine and all my readers,
wishing you the best of the holidays and have an unforgettable Noche
Buena!
For school, office and
individual workshops e-mail: patty@pattybetita.com
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