The Rug Maker's Wife - Holiday Edition

 

Last August, my wife Ruby made a guest appearance on the Lunar Letter to share some of her summer pasta recipes. Back by popular demand, she is ready to share her top tips for thriving in holiday hosting mode.

Yours truly, the guy drunkenly doing the dishes. 

MK
  —

My guide to holiday hosting for people who like to cook

I love a holiday cook! Making a big feast for those I love that is decadent, a little bit extra and most importantly ends with 3+ hours of sitting, eating, chatting and drinking around a large table is my ultimate way to spend time with friends and family.  I’ve been known to host Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas dinner - and I have opinions on how to do it right. These are my highly subjective tips for somebody who LOVES to cook (and has no kids).

• Only cook if you WANT to
  It’s a lot of work! You should love the work. If you don't - have a potluck, order in, or cook something simple.

• Ask for help
  If you’re cooking you’re not cleaning. There is no greater help than a dishwasher. Ideally recruit a friend, family members, loved one to clean as you cook throughout the day. Other ways people can help - snack duty (who has the energy to cook a huge dinner and also make dips - not me), or dessert.
  
  
• Only make one new recipe
  I used to get very excited about  holiday cooking, and trying new things and really WENT for it. I’ve now limited myself to only trying one new recipe at a time when hosting a big dinner. If you’re familiar with what you’re cooking you’re way less stressed and if you need to troubleshoot anything with a new recipe have more brain space to do it.
  
  
• Plan ahead
• Week before: Put together a menu
• 1-2 days before: Grocery shop (by snacks that you will eat for lunch/while you’re cooking b/c who can cook a huge dinner and also make lunch that day not me)
• 1 day before: make dessert - I love this chocolate ganache tart that does well the day in advance, salt your meat (if needed), any other relevant day before prep 
• Day of: do the rest, have a glass of wine, clean as you go.

• Braise something
  For holiday cooking I think the biggest ‘hack’ is to pick a low and slow braised dish like brisket or turkey thighs. Braised dishes feed a crowd, are the kind of food I want to eat in the winter and are HANDS OFF. A veggie gratin could also be a good option. Then have the rest of your dishes either also be low and slow like this squash dish or stovetop. That way while you’re braise is going you can get everything else done. Take it out of the oven and then dinner is all done! 

For Friendsgiving this year - I did the turkey thighs and cooked the rest of the meal (minus the dessert which I did the day before) in the time it took the turkey to cook. My friend Dane did the dishes as I went and it was stress free and fun!

 

 

My Menu for Christmas 2025 

Turkey Legs + Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Squash Gratin
The Salad
Chocolate Ganache Tart

Maybe
Stuffing
Green Beans

 

If you can manage to stick to tasks you enjoy and delegate the rest, the party will be fun for you too. You got this.