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.

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
Welcome to Anchored Not Anxious.
This is where you discoveranchoring practices for anxiety
and worry.
Gain a deep trust in God anddevelop an internal peace by
living off his word.

(00:22):
I'm Teri Hutchinson, your host.
Here's a game plan for theholiday hostess.
If the holiday gathering is atyour house this year or ends up
there at the last minute, let mereassure you with, it'll be
okay.

(00:42):
It'll be okay if the carpet getsstained 15 minutes before guests
arrive.
It'll be okay if the Turkeydidn't thaw or the oven poops
out.
It'll be okay if more peoplecome than planned.
It'll be okay if you've had ameltdown because something

(01:06):
burned or everything burned.
The kids are fighting,somebody's crying, and your
makeup's ruined, and your hair'sfrizzed from the heat and the
kitchen.
Yeah, it'll be okay.
Oh, I hear you say, buteverybody expects hear this.

(01:27):
Your holiday performance andfuture regard by quote unquote,
everybody is meaningless in thescheme of things.
I love perfection.
But let's face it, it's anunrealistic goal, especially
during the holidays.
I remember one Christmas we weregoing to have three guests and

(01:50):
two dogs.
The morning of it turned intofive additional guests, three of
which were children.
The guest count had doubled lessthan five hours before the meal,
unless everybody was willing tohave a tablespoon of each dish.
We didn't have enough food, soon Christmas day, we had to go

(02:15):
out there and try to find meatand side dishes, except
everything was sparse.
We live in a small town.
There was no pork loin, whichwas the meat of the day, so we
just grabbed some beef, apackage of frozen vegetables and
a pie.
Yeah, the meal was a mishmash,but I never asked anybody what

(02:39):
they thought.
I.
Kept trying to remind myself thepoint of the day is conversation
and gathering together.
Here's what I think, if yourholiday performance is going to
be judged, in the infamous wordsof Mel Robbins, she's a

(03:02):
podcaster.
She says, let them, and if youhave to have McDonald's for your
holiday meal.
Well, that's just a storybegging to be told at future
gatherings at your next holidaygathering, as you see things
start to take a downwardtrajectory and your anxiety is

(03:24):
going through the roof.
Do this.
Number one, if chaos happens,surrender to it.
Don't fight it.
Frustration never changedanything.
Anger just makes you look ugly.
Tears are okay, but try to puton a smile and figure out the

(03:47):
next step.
Number two, do not mind read.
You truly cannot know whateverybody is thinking.
And if they say something, judgyout, loud, smile and look away,
or leave the room momentarily.
You can't change theirperception, but you can reject

(04:12):
it.
And number three, while you'rein the process of rejecting,
reject that ruthless self-talk.
Such as, oh, this stuff alwayshappens to me, or Nothing ever
works out.
Instead tell yourself closeenough.

(04:35):
I did the best under thecircumstances or the classic.
It is what it is.
You are fantastic at manythings.
Focus on that.
Remember, there's no big reportcard in the universe with your
name on it and a big red letterfailed.

(04:58):
It's not out there.
People may care aboutperformance but not God.
He's looking for relationshipand your desire to do what he
asks in his word.
Were you a gracious host?
Did you make their day a littlebetter?

(05:18):
Did you listen with care andgive them your full presence?
Did you resemble Jesus with yourspeech or actions?
If you can answer yes to thosequestions, then you are doing
okay.
Well, thank you for listening.
You can find me on Facebook atTerry Hutchinson.

(05:42):
Check out my YouTube channel.
Anchored Not anxious.
The podcast is there along withvideos.
And don't forget to subscribe.
That way, you won't missanything.
All right, until next time.
I.