“Before head out to the store with your Christmas dinner grocery list, make sure there’s room in your fridge for it. Clear out lingering leftovers, unopened beverages, nearly-empty condiment bottles and other bulky items to make space. This is especially important if you’re planning on preparing any sides or desserts in the days before Christmas.

Be sure to set your menu and create the guest list well in advance. You can even get a head start on the meal itself. Christmas cookies freeze well, as do make-ahead dishes like mashed potatoes. It’s likely that there will still be some day-of surprises (like when your niece shows up with her new boyfriend), but prepare as much as you can.

Prep the oven. From dozens of cookies to a delicious dinner roast, your oven is going to go into overtime over the holidays. Make sure it’s in tip-top shape by giving it a good clean and recalibrate it to ensure the temperature is accurate. That way none of your goodies will turn out under- or overcooked.

Christmas dinner is not the time to try a brand new recipe, so save the croquembouche for another snowy day. Sticking to simple, classic dishes that you already know how to make will boost your kitchen confidence. These traditional Christmas recipes are sure to fit the bill.

Have a pre-dinner glass of wine, but don’t over-indulge. Alcohol gives you the illusion of feeling more relaxed, but in reality, it’s throwing you off your game. Drinking while cooking is not only dangerous, but more likely to result in major mistakes, like a burnt ham. Instead, sip on some of these festive cocktail recipes.

There is no shame in picking up a bag of rolls from the grocery store bakery or opening a jar of gravy. Not every menu item on your table needs to be made from scratch. Before you start cooking, evaluate your menu and determine what elements can be bought pre-made, then head to the store ASAP!

If Christmas traditions have become a source of stress instead of joy, consider scaling back. Remember, you don’t have to make 20 different types of cookies—just pick your family’s favorites.”

Taste of Home (12 Tips for Cooking Christmas Dinner So It’s Stress-Free | Taste of Home)