![5 Things You Can Do on the Holidays When Everyone Else is Celebrating]()
by Yvonne Maffei | Dec 20, 2017 | Celebrations, Entertaining
Much of the world has been celebrating Christmas season since the beginning of December, but the really special days for those who celebrate are Christmas Eve (December 24th) and Christmas Day (December 25th). Much of society closes down between the late afternoon of Christmas Eve and all day on the 25th for church services, private family dinners and opening gifts. Christmas Day is usually when most stores, shopping malls and many other amenities are closed saved for gas stations and some restaurants. It’s a quiet and peaceful time, which is lovely in and of itself as an observer, but what about when you’re on the outside looking in and not partaking in any of the ceremonial or celebratory engagements?
Well, you can do all sorts of fun things with your family and friends during that time- in fact, it’s a fabulous opportunity to create special memories with your loved ones by doing something you might not otherwise have time to do over the course of a couple of days.
This year, Christmas falls over a weekend so there’s even more time to make it into an extended holiday! Here are just a few examples of ways to spend it:
- Have a potluck dinner for family, friends and neighbors. This is a great way to bond with one another and get to know those you don’t know well enough. Some people who celebrate might be all alone on Christmas and others may not have any plans at all. You never know unless you do the asking, inviting and entertaining. I believe these kinds of occasions make our lives so rich in many, many ways. This Creamy Tortellini with Chicken, Peas and Sun-Dried Tomatoes is one idea for a potluck dish made with Zabiha Halal’s Chicken Breast Strips that is sure to be a hit with everyone. It’s festive, but not fussy, making it an ideal recipe to make for a crowd. I think pasta dishes with chicken are ideal for gatherings because they’re comforting, warming and also filling for a crowd.
- Head out to a convention or conference to attend a lecture or visit the grand bazaar to do some shopping. In Toronto, RIS is a very popular one for the whole family. You can do some clothes shopping, browse new products, stock your bookshelf with the latest Islamic publications, pick up beautiful home decor, and meet friends in a fun and exciting atmosphere. And, the bazaar usually has free admission!
- Have a family movie night to catch up on all the wonderful documentaries about food, health and wellness and the environment. This is a link to a list of my favorite and most recommended ones. There is so much to learn from these. Get out the homemade popcorn!
- Take the family on a fun excursion close to home, or do it at home, if you can (i.e. make it a staycation)! You can go bowling, ice skating, sledding, tobogganing, or cross-country skiing and make it a competitive yet fun time to team up as a family.
- Rent a cabin in the snowy, forested woods so everyone can explore and enjoy the outdoors. The best part will be the indoors cooking together, followed by sitting around the fireplace and simply embracing the opportunity to gather.. When I bunker down in a cozy cabin, I’m in the mood for real wintertime comfort food: soups, stews, lasagnas and other types of baked dishes and casseroles like this Cranberry Dijon Chicken Wellington using Zabiha Halal’s Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts and since cranberries are still flavorful and found easily at most markets, this is the perfect seasonal recipe to make that just oozes comfort, homemade food. Be sure to make your own Dijon Mustard, as most store varieties will have wine in it. You can get the recipe to make your own in my recent cookbook, My Halal Kitchen: Global Recipes, Cooking Tips, Lifestyle Inspiration.
At the end of the day, any of these quiet time activities can be used to get closer to those you want to spend time with and to create memories that will last a lifetime….
This post was sponsored by Zabiha Halal, a Canadian food company that I’ve come to know and hold in high regard. To follow their updates, you can “like” their Facebook page here and follow them on Twitter here and Instagram here. They also have a lifestyle blog called Living Halal, here. The contents of this post are the sole opinion and expression of Yvonne Maffei of My Halal Kitchen.
![5 Tips on Hosting a Holiday Gathering at Home]()
by Yvonne Maffei | Nov 23, 2016 | Celebrations, Cooking Techniques & Kitchen Tips, Entertaining
All holidays are a wonderful opportunity to get together with friends and family, and typically have us paying a little extra attention to our living spaces since we’ll be trying to accommodate more people than are usually in our home. I’ve always loved Thanksgiving, maybe because it’s one holiday that is so food-centered and it’s a great opportunity to make a huge bird! But, with all the focus on food, if you’re the one hosting it there’s also a lot more to think about in terms of your home’s environment. That can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be if we’re somewhat prepared and think about about the details that can simply make our guests feel more relaxed because they see us as more relaxed in our own home.
- Clean up Your House. Why is this so important? Clutter is stressful, yes. Too many things around can leave us mentally drained, yes. Everything we have has to be cleaned, maintained and we also often worry about things breaking and costing us more money. That alone is a discussion to write about, but cleaning up for guests is another thing- it amounts to having some respect for the people you’ve invited into your home and into your world. If they see a dirty or messy space, they can almost feel the stress of the environment, which isn’t very comforting. I know it can be a challenge, especially at the last minute between work and kids’ activities and trying to cook a big meal, but ask the kids to help out, ask your spouse, ask family, or hire help if you can. It will make you and your guests feel so much better.
- Prepare as Much as Possible of the Food Ahead of Time (if not ALL of it). I used to be the kind of cook who would be okay with dinner cooking as they arrived. And then when I designed my kitchen to be an open kitchen style, I really had more of a reason to clean everything up before people came, which could only happen if most of the dishes were done or already set in the oven and left me time to clean up the workspace. It makes the environment feel so much more inviting and you are also able to focus on your guests rather than be distracted with more cooking. If you have any last-minute additions to make to things like salads, most guests are happy to help and talk at the same time. Now that can be fun and relaxing.
- Have a Comfy Space for Guests to Sit & Relax. I feel like there’s nothing worse than spending hours and hours at someone else’s house and being uncomfortable. Whether the house is too hot or too cold (and you didn’t dress appropriately), it can make for a not-so-fun experience. As a host or hostess, it really is up to you to read your guests to see how comfortable they feel. No, you’re not a hotel, but having guests is an honor and joy so make them as happy as you can while they’re under your roof. If you really want to spoil them, be sure to have the most comfortable furniture and invite them to relax and sit in it. In this case they may never leave!
PAVO 132″ SLIPCOVERED 3 PIECE REVERSE SECTIONAL IN DYNO NATURAL
This Pavo sectional from Arhaus is such a beautiful, cozy set to have in your family room. Toss some oversize throw pillows and fuzzy blankets to welcome your guests with warmth and coziness and let them retreat after the Thanksgiving meal, watching movies and sitting around talking and catching up with one another, maybe even taking a nap. The section shown above comes in a variety of colors and fabric types, too.
- Have Some Activities for the Kids. I don’t have kids, but whenever I have guests over I try to make sure I have something for the kids who are coming: coloring books and crayons are almost always winners, treat bags, puzzles, soft toys, etc. Why? Because you never know which kids will come alone, which parents won’t bring something for the kids to stay occupied, or which of your own kids’ toys just won’t be entertaining enough – and that can mean a visit cut short by parents who want to make sure the kids aren’t unhappy or bored at your house.
- Keep the Pets Happy, Too. This can mean a lot of things. Dogs and cats are especially notorious for either being annoyed by guests or terrified by them. They can also be a little too happy to see new people (though not always the cats, I have had many cats from friends and family members’ homes jump all over me for some reason). Almost always it’s other people’s dogs who are pretty eager to introduce themselves. I don’t mind it as long as the pets don’t bite, but if you have guests with allergies or a fear of animals it can be a pretty uncomfortable situation and combination of people and pets. The best thing to do is to keep your animals in a happy, safe place for the duration that your guests are visiting and also tell your guests a little about the animals just in case they do come face to face with them and get afraid, jumpy or just a little too close. Hissing cats and barking or biting dogs are not something everyone is used to.
Do you have anything to add? Please share your own tips and ideas on being a good host or hostess in the comments below.
![Inspiration for a Casual Summertime Table Setting]()
by Yvonne Maffei | Jun 15, 2015 | Celebrations, LIFE
Summertime is finally here. I can tell it’s here to stay by the constant heat and humidity, although other climates might be a bit more appealing at the moment. It’s still a great time to take advantage of the sunshine, cool evening breezes and some really wonderful, fresh and seasonal foods.
Ramadan is starting in just a couple days and it’s a time of great joy and happiness for Muslims around the globe. Although the food is not the main highlight of each day, it sure is something we savor and feel grateful for when the time does come to enjoy a nutritious and healthy meal with our families and friends.
I love to do that ‘affresco‘, or outside, if possible.
I know during Ramadan, after breaking the fast, then praying and sitting down to eat the main meal it’s already dark. If you have a space (i.e. a deck) that can be easily lit and also keep away the bugs (try a fan overhead or off to the side), it can be such a great way to connect with your loved ones over the Iftar.
Here are my tips for pulling it all together:
1. Find the Right Spot. We don’t have a deck or large enough spot outside for putting a table and chairs, but we do have some scenic spots around our yard that give us great views of nature. That’s where I like to be, even if only dim lights surrounding us give us a beautiful nearsighted view.
2. Get great lights. Most people decorate with indoor lights during Ramadan; some also decorate the exterior of the house. Outdoor string lights where you dine affresco can make it all that much more charming- plus, you’ll be able to see your food!
These overhead string lights hang from tree to tree.
This lantern hangs nearby. It was a fun vintage find at my local antique shop that I painted black for dramatic effect, and is perfect and beautiful for setting the atmosphere during Ramadan nights.
Add some extra lights on the table, too. I found these yellow ones at Menards on the clearance rack last year.
3. Simplify the decor. No need to be fancy; in fact, being outdoors should be fun and easy. That doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty or even elegant and beautiful, but it doesn’t have to be overdone, either. Just choose only what you like love to surround yourself with when dining, even if it means bringing out your best serving ware.
4. Put some non-breakables on the table. Accidents do happen, especially outside. When something breaks on concrete or pavers, it’s a bit more dramatic- and dangerous since it’s harder to clean up so try adding something like reusable plastic serving glasses.
I got these colorful ones from Target, also on the clearance rack last Fall.
Even the lemons here are decorative, but the real ones won’t damage much by a tumble. They do add a pop of color, though.
5. Stand Back and Take it All In. From afar, you can really see what you’ve put together, which is also how your guests will get their first glance of they dining table. From there, you can edit.
As the sun goes down, it all looks even prettier…
Really, it does.
Do you think you’ll have any outdoor dinners or Iftar gatherings this summer?
![The Ramadan Gift Guide by Sakina Design]()
by Yvonne Maffei | Jun 30, 2014 | Celebrations, Iftar, Ramadan
Jontie and Pik of Sakina Design are some of the most creative people I know, turning basic ideas into the most beautiful visuals I’ve ever seen mash’Allah. I can attest to this in their latest project, the Sakina Gift Guide. In it you’ll find so many gorgeous gift ideas for Ramadan and Eid, even a few of my top picks for gift-giving. I’m really excited to see my recipes come to life in the lemon-themed Iftar menu we have inside! You can take a peek here and below the cover photo is the link to the free download.
To download the Sakina Design Gift Guide
Youc an begin viewing my lemon-themed recipes for a refreshing summer drink, the main dish, side dishes and dessert inside.
And of course Pik has designed the most beautiful printables to go along with the recipes, some that you can print out for free from their site and welcome your guests with: invitations, envelope liners and card tents.
Of course the Ramadan and Eid printables are just as important- get these printed out and decorate your home with them in no time. I just love the color scheme- very festive and joyous for a month and Eid celebration that makes us so happy to observe.
Download the printables by going through the gift guide here.
Let us know how you like these and whether they’ve helped you this Ramadan and Eid, to make it more special, more festive and more joyous for you and your family. We’d love to hear from you!
