Game Plan for Holiday Hosting

Holiday hosting stressing you out? What if I told you that the burnt turkey, the carpet stain, and the unexpected guest count don't matter nearly as much as you think they do?

In this episode, I share why your holiday performance is meaningless in the scheme of things—and why that's actually the most freeing news you'll hear this season. Drawing from my own chaotic Christmas Day experience, I walk you through three practical strategies for when things go sideways at your gathering.

This isn't about perfection—it's about presence, graciousness, and resembling Jesus even when the kitchen's on fire.

Because at the end of the day, God's not grading your hosting skills. He's looking at your heart.

Transcript

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Welcome to Anchored Not Anxious. This is where you discover anchoring practices for anxiety and worry. Gain a deep trust in God and develop an internal peace by living off his word. I'm Teri Hutchinson, your host. Here's a game plan for the holiday hostess. If the holiday gathering is at your house this year or ends up there at the last minute, let me reassure you with, it'll be okay. It'll be okay if the carpet gets stained 15 minutes before guests arrive. It'll be okay if the Turkey didn't thaw or the oven poops out. It'll be okay if more people come than planned. It'll be okay if you've had a meltdown because something burned or everything burned. The kids are fighting, somebody's crying, and your makeup's ruined, and your hair's frizzed from the heat and the kitchen. Yeah, it'll be okay. Oh, I hear you say, but everybody expects hear this. Your holiday performance and future regard by quote unquote, everybody is meaningless in the scheme of things. I love perfection. But let's face it, it's an unrealistic goal, especially during the holidays. I remember one Christmas we were going to have three guests and two dogs. The morning of it turned into five additional guests, three of which were children. The guest count had doubled less than five hours before the meal, unless everybody was willing to have a tablespoon of each dish. We didn't have enough food, so on Christmas day, we had to go out there and try to find meat and side dishes, except everything was sparse. We live in a small town. There was no pork loin, which was the meat of the day, so we just grabbed some beef, a package of frozen vegetables and a pie. Yeah, the meal was a mishmash, but I never asked anybody what they thought. I. Kept trying to remind myself the point of the day is conversation and gathering together. Here's what I think, if your holiday performance is going to be judged, in the infamous words of Mel Robbins, she's a podcaster. She says, let them, and if you have to have McDonald's for your holiday meal. Well, that's just a story begging to be told at future gatherings at your next holiday gathering, as you see things start to take a downward trajectory and your anxiety is going through the roof. Do this. Number one, if chaos happens, surrender to it. Don't fight it. Frustration never changed anything. Anger just makes you look ugly. Tears are okay, but try to put on a smile and figure out the next step. Number two, do not mind read. You truly cannot know what everybody is thinking. And if they say something, judgy out, loud, smile and look away, or leave the room momentarily. You can't change their perception, but you can reject it. And number three, while you're in the process of rejecting, reject that ruthless self-talk. Such as, oh, this stuff always happens to me, or Nothing ever works out. Instead tell yourself close enough. I did the best under the circumstances or the classic. It is what it is. You are fantastic at many things. Focus on that. Remember, there's no big report card in the universe with your name on it and a big red letter failed. It's not out there. People may care about performance but not God. He's looking for relationship and your desire to do what he asks in his word. Were you a gracious host? Did you make their day a little better? Did you listen with care and give them your full presence? Did you resemble Jesus with your speech or actions? If you can answer yes to those questions, then you are doing okay. Well, thank you for listening. You can find me on Facebook at Terry Hutchinson. Check out my YouTube channel. Anchored Not anxious. The podcast is there along with videos. And don't forget to subscribe. That way, you won't miss anything. All right, until next time. I.