The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, gratitude, and, of course, delicious food. At Catering by Michaels, we love holidays. We love food. So it’s only natural that we love holiday food! From the classic turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving to the sweet treats of Christmas, holiday foods are an integral part of the festivities. We have our favorites—as do our customers. Whether turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, pies, or cookies, everyone has their favorite holiday foods they look forward to every year. But why are these foods so important? What makes them memorable and meaningful? This blog post will explore why having favorite holiday foods is essential for our well-being, happiness, and sense of belonging.
Favorite Holiday Foods Connect Us to Our Memories
One of the main reasons why we love our favorite holiday foods is because they connect us to our memories. They help our traditions live on. Food is not just a source of nourishment but also a source of emotion.
When we eat something that we associate with a positive experience, such as a family gathering, a festive occasion, or a happy moment, we feel those emotions again. Many of us have fond memories of sitting around the table with our loved ones, enjoying a special meal we only have once a year. These memories are often tied to specific foods, whether it’s grandma’s famous pumpkin pie or dad’s secret recipe for glazed ham. These foods symbolize the holiday season and the memories we create with our families and friends.
We recall the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of that time and relive them in the present. This is why food can be nostalgic, comforting, and soothing. It can remind us of who we are, where we come from, and what we value.
For example, if you grew up eating delectable Christmas cookies around the tree, you might feel a warm and cozy feeling every time you smell or taste them. You might remember your grandmother baking it in the kitchen, your parents carving the turkey, or your siblings playing games. You might feel grateful for your family, home, and traditions. You might also feel proud of your cultural heritage, personal history, and identity. These are powerful emotions that can enhance your mood, your self-esteem, and your sense of belonging.
Comfort & Familiarity
Moreover, holiday foods provide a sense of comfort and familiarity.
The holiday season can be stressful, with all the shopping, decorating, and socializing that comes with it. Having a favorite holiday food can provide comfort and ease amidst all the chaos. It’s a way to connect with our past and loved ones and feel grounded in the present.
Favorite Holiday Foods Strengthen Our Relationships
Enjoying our favorite holiday foods is important because it strengthens our relationships. Food is not just a way of feeding our bodies but also a way of nourishing our souls. When we share food with others, we share a part of ourselves. We express our love, care, generosity, and hospitality. We also show our interest, curiosity, appreciation, and respect. We communicate our values, beliefs, preferences, and personalities. We create bonds, build trust, foster intimacy, and celebrate diversity.
For example, if you invite your friends over for a holiday dinner, you might serve your favorite dishes or try new ones. You might ask them about their favorite foods, dietary restrictions, or cultural backgrounds. You might learn something new, discover something in common, or appreciate something different. You might also share stories, jokes, opinions, or advice. You might laugh, cry, debate, or agree. You might feel closer, happier, and more connected.
An excellent way to explore old favorites and have an opportunity to try new ones is by working with Catering by Michaels to craft a menu just for you, your friends, and your family. Our dedicated Christmas menu is replete with seasonal offerings that evoke memories…or can help create new ones.
Favorite Holiday Foods Inspire Our Creativity
Identifying and having favorite holiday foods is important because they inspire our creativity. Food is not just a matter of taste but also a matter of art. When we cook, bake, or decorate food, we use our imagination, skills, senses, and emotions. We experiment with flavors, colors, textures, and shapes. We create something unique, beautiful, and delicious. We also express ourselves, our moods, passions, and our visions. We make something that reflects who we are, what we feel, and what we want to share.
For example, if you love baking cookies for the holidays, you might try different recipes, ingredients, or techniques. You could experiment with cookie cutters, sprinkles, icing, or chocolate. You might make them festive, cute, funny, or elegant. Perhaps you personalize them, customize them, or theme them. You might bake for yourself, your family, friends, or neighbors. Enjoy the process, the outcome, or the feedback, and feel satisfied, proud, or inspired.
The CBM Cookie Exchange!
This is one reason why the CBM family gathers for a holiday cookie exchange every year. We all select a type of cookie to bake and share. We then bring them all together and sample each other’s creations. It’s a time of sharing, laughter, and happy indulgence!
Want to Order Your Traditional—Or New—Favorites? There’s Still Time!
We are here to help you make your perfect holiday meal. You can place your order online by visiting cateringbymichaels.com/ordercatering. You can also contact us via email at events@cateringbymichaels.com. If you’d like to speak with an event coordinator to receive personalized guidance on your Christmas selections, you can reach us at (847) 966-6555.
DEADLINES & IMPORTANT TIMES All Christmas orders must be confirmed by Saturday, December 16th at 11:00 am. Additions, changes, or deletions to Christmas orders must be made before Saturday, December 16th at 1:00 pm. We highly recommend ordering early as we will sell out faster than usual, and the order deadline is further out than usual so that we can meet our food suppliers’ deadlines.
DELIVERY DETAILS Deliveries will take place on Sunday, December 24th, between 9:00am until 3:00pm. Delivery is additional, based on location, and will take place within 3-4 hours. We are sorry, but due to the volume of orders that need to be delivered in a small amount of time, we are unable to accommodate special time frame requests or “closer to’s.”
PICKUP ORDER DETAILS Orders of any size may be placed for pickup. A handling fee of $5 is added to all pickup orders to cover the costs of operating these sites. ALL PICKUPS WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24TH AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
- 9 am-2 pm @ Catering by Michaels (6203 Park Ave., Morton Grove)
- 9 am-2 pm @ Highland Park (1201 Park Ave W/Highland Park Country Club)
- 9 am-11 am @ Lincoln Park (2430 N Cannon Dr./Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum)
- 11:30 am-2 pm @ Gold Coast (60 W Walton St./Newberry Library)
- 11:30 am-2 pm @ Westmont (700 Blackhawk Dr./Ty Warner Park)
Conclusion
Having favorite holiday foods is vital for many reasons. They connect us to our memories, provide comfort and familiarity, strengthen our relationships, and inspire our creativity. They also make us happy, healthy, and fulfilled. These holiday favorites are more than just food; they are part of our lives. So, this holiday season, enjoy your favorite holiday foods and appreciate their significance. They are not just a treat; they are a treasure.
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