You started your remodel with plans of finishing just before the holidays, so hopefully you and your contractor were able to stick to the schedule and finish your new kitchen on time. But as you may already know, there is always a chance of surprises that arise unexpectedly to extend the timeline of your remodel.
Why does this happen? Kitchen remodels are difficult to plan down to a “t”. When planning a remodel, you should always create a timeline for everyone involved. On your copy, overestimate the time it will take for everything to be finalized so that there is no extra stress when something takes longer than expected. Every home is different, and you can almost guarantee there will be a damaged part here, a missing piece there, emergency leveling, rewiring, or a suddenly ill contractor. Try to stay calm in these circumstances. The last thing you want is for someone to rush through your remodel – making more mistakes.
If your holiday tradition gets roasted this year due to an untimely remodel completion, forget serving microwave turkey with a side of sawdust. There are plenty of alternative options for your celebration.
Rent a house for the weekend. Who says you have to cook in your kitchen this year? If you still want to host the party, pack up your cooking gear and head off to a rental property for the weekend. You can still create the same recipe masterpieces, but in a beautiful make-shift location.
Borrow someone’s kitchen. If you have a good friend or family member who dreads holidays because of the work involved, become their hero by offering to cook for them in the comfort of their own home. Let them know how much you’re going to miss that task due to your extended project, and you’ll probably find many people welcome to the idea. Unless they open the invite, limit the number of your added guests to immediate family only, and certainly pay for your portion of the ingredients. To avoid any speed bumps, make sure you inventory their cooking space and tools prior to the big day.
Try a local restaurant. You may not love the idea of eating at the local Italian restaurant, but make sure you research your options before dismissing this suggestion entirely. Many local restaurants offer traditional holiday meals that may even *gasp* top your beloved family recipes. Impossible that anything could be better than your famous sweet potato soufflé? You may change your mind upon the realization that instead of slaving over a stove all day, you’ll be able to kick up your feet and relax while your meal literally arrives on a silver platter, or an endless buffet table.
Postpone your gathering. Who says your celebration has to fall on one specific day? Thanksgiving doesn’t even have a solid date in the United States, other than “the fourth Thursday of the month of November,” so why not do something small on that day and then have everyone over for your special recipes the weekend after your kitchen is finished. That way, you can celebrate the holiday and your project completion.
Your kitchen remodel may have set you back a little, but it’s not the end of the world. Instead of taking the chance of serving your great Aunt Mildred pumpkin pie with a dollop of caulking… (woops, it looked like whipped cream) make the best of your situation. Who knows, you may even stumble upon a new tradition that you like better.
Getting ready to remodel?
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