This year's Christmas is a little different. Everything going on in the world recently has taught us invaluable lessons, one of which is the importance of cherishing the people around us. To make things a little less hectic in the run-up to Christmas, Vanpowers is here to provide some meal prep tips that will help this one aspect of your holiday be as safe, easy, and fun as possible.

1. Make Preparations in Advance

Make sure you have everything you need in the days leading up to Christmas dinner, such as turkey, ham, potatoes, and other staples, as well as kitchen essentials like oil, salt, and seasonings. By doing this, you can avoid the last-minute supermarket rush and the stress that comes with it. Once you have everything, you can chop the vegetables and make dishes like dressing ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. If you’re having an outdoor feast, make sure you have enough electricity to power any appliances that will keep the food hot.

2. Keep Everybody Warm

Keeping guests warm is among the host’s top priorities, and relaxing is essential to a successful Christmas Eve. Therefore, spending a little time and money on proper equipment is worthwhile. To make sitting both inside and outside more comfortable as the temperature drops, invest in some small space heaters and patio heaters. A portable power station can keep everything powered and help you stay warm without interruption.

3. Make Sure You Have Enough Power

To give you and your friends and family more time to focus on celebrating Christmas, make sure your oven, stove, refrigerator, and lights are all in good condition. You won't be concerned about any of these appliances running out of power if you have a portable power station with access to 8 charging types and that lets you monitor your usage and remaining power at any moment. With these worries out of the way, you can enjoy pre-dinner drinks and post-dinner coffee and dessert either indoors or outdoors with your guests.

4. Stockpile Blankets and Pillows

Watching a holiday movie with your guests is a great way to relax after dinner! Cover the back of each chair with a shawl or blanket to keep your visitors warm and comfortable throughout the night, and provide pillows or additional cushions to let them take a load off. You won't need to worry about your projector losing power in the middle of a long movie in your home theater, because the Vanpowers SPP 2000 can be charged up to 80% of its 2096Wh capacity in just one hour.

5. Set the Mood with Festive Lighting

The right illumination can make or break an outdoor holiday dinner. You can create a festive atmosphere around your home by installing light-up Christmas decorations in the backyard and putting up twinkling string lights in your windows. With a reliable portable power station, your home will sparkle all evening long so that you and your guests can revel in the holiday cheer.

For more simple Christmas dinner tips, click here.