The Christmas feast – sharing tasks and tastes

CEBU, Philippines - There’s no question about the special place that the lechon occupies at the dining table on any special occasion in the Philippines.  A feast is nothing special without it. And the high standing of the lechon as a culinary specialty has been affirmed by no less than celebrated American chef, author and television personality Alex Bourdain, who calls the lechon as “the best pig in the world!” 

And so it goes without saying that the lechon will flood at the Chirstmas dinners in most Filipino homes. The usual chicken and meat dishes are there too – and ham, as well. Especially the ham, which is almost equally – if not in fact actually – as common as lechon at Christmastime. And, of course, the great desserts always cap the rich meals.

Delicious food, and more delicious food, is what everyone’s idea of Christmas is about – past, present, and most certainly future. The aromatic, mouthwatering, belly-filling, belt-busting meals of savory meats and sweet desserts are such a delight. These are treats that are anticipated for the whole year through.

But rarely does anyone consider the hours of exhaustive preparation, the mounds of dirty pots and pans, and the obligatory cleanup by those responsible for the feast that everyone enjoys. Rarely does anyone consider, much less help out in, the tasks involved in making the Christmas dinner the glory that it is. And the day after, those that enjoyed the most are often left so tired to take on any after-care responsibility.

Preparing for a family gathering can be time-consuming, tiring and nerve-wracking, especially considering all of the other pressures of the season. In order to make sure that everybody will have the same great experience during the Christmas celebrations, it may be good to consider options other than the usual practice of doing things hands-on by just a few. Alex Lewis, at the website www.moneycrashers.com, suggests:

Hiring Professional Caterers. Many restaurants offer holiday specials where complete meals are delivered or can be picked up on the day of the Christmas feast. If not that, using a catering service may be opted; the service covers everything – from tables, chairs, utensil, everything, including the food, of course. There are a good number of caterers around and so one may choose the caterer that best serves his or her requirements.

Sharing Cooking and Cleaning Duties. To spread the workload around, certain members of the family can be assigned to take care of appetizers, others can be assigned certain dishes, and still others can provide desserts. The ‘assignments’ shall be agreed beforehand to ensure everyone’s favorites will be available. Cleanup is also shared – those who eat but don’t cook must clean.

Hiring a Cleaning Service. Cleanup is always an issue after a celebration. Good thing, there are already a number of cleaning services available. Janitorial services are just a phone call away.  A single day of heavy cleaning can work wonders – even if it costs something, the service may be considered as the family’s Christmas present to themselves.

The holiday season is an opportunity to spend precious time with dear family and friends. It is important, therefore, that everyone has equal time to enjoy each other’s company. The family celebration that has been so toiled for is nothing if some of the family members are just too preoccupied with tasks to share a warm conversation with the others. Christmas is a special family occasion – but it is also a hassle, especially among the few who bear the brunt of the duties. (FREEMAN)