If you have followed along with us for any amount of time, you probably know that we’re pretty fond of a particular saying–”when you buy a propane tank, you unlock a world of culinary possibilities.” We think that’s doubly true this holiday season. A number of people out there probably never considered throwing food on their outdoor grill at Christmas, but the team at Mighty Flame would like to float the idea out there for just a moment.

We know, we know. Your family probably has a holiday tradition that everyone in the family enjoys. You might even have that one aunt who insists on getting together at her house (“because it’s tradition!”) even though it’s way too small to hold your entire family. Our suggestion is to go ahead and stick with tradition–for the most part.

Tradition With a Twist

What does that mean? Well, in our opinion, the best thing about the holidays is that you get to spend time with the loved ones you might not have a chance to see during the year. You’ve carefully practiced the art of knowing what not to say at the dinner table and you don’t want to upset the balance of things by suggesting that you all have different food this year.

Fortunately you can have it both ways.

Your aunt can still take pride in roasting a turkey and making mashed potatoes and you can throw something on the grill that helps to complement the foods you’ve all known and loved for decades. It really is the best of both worlds. You can start making a new holiday tradition without upstaging what’s already going on and upsetting your family members. It’s a win/win situation.

The Obvious Added Benefit

You love your family. There is absolutely no denying it! But sometimes during the holidays, you just need a little break. Particularly if you find yourself in a situation like the one we mentioned above. You’re locked up in your aunt’s house that’s too small and the smells from the kitchen are a little bit overwhelming. You’re also allergic to cats and her four super furry kittens aren’t doing your nose any favors.

Having something set up outside on the grill means you have a built in opportunity to say that you need to step outside. Getting out of the house for a minute means you can take a much needed breather and focus on something that brings you happiness and joy–grilling!

It can also provide you with the perfect opportunity to bond with a family member. Haven’t seen your cousin in ages? Ask him to come out and check the grill with you. Been meaning to ask your dad about how his last fishing trip went? Have him step outside with you and you can catch up a bit! Who knows? He might even have a bit of advice about what you’re grilling, and getting some fatherly advice about how to improve your grilling skills is certainly never a bad thing.

So What’s on the Menu?

You can’t exactly throw burgers or brats on the grill during Christmas. You could, sure, but this is your chance to really impress everyone with your culinary prowess. “You really made that?” they’ll ask. “It’s amazing!”

This is the perfect chance to grill something low and slow. You all get together first thing in the morning to open presents, but you don’t end up eating until later in the day. That means you can set up your grill in the morning and have your food ready when the family is gearing up to eat.

That means that you could try out the pulled pork recipe you’ve been wanting to try. You could barbecue a brisket. (One quick side note–a leftover brisket and turkey sandwich is a true thing of beauty.) Perhaps you could even get everyone their own cornish game hens and throw those on the grill. The sky is the limit and it’s all up to you.

Now Is the Time to Start Planning

“Do I really need to start planning a month in advance?” you might ask. The answer is that the earlier you can get to planning, the better off you’re likely to be. This gives you the opportunity to check with sensitive family members to make sure it’s okay that you bring something extra to the table. Be sure to ask what other people think will go well with whatever your family enjoys during the holidays and you’re setting yourself up for success.

This also gives you time to buy a propane tank. Swing on by a Mighty Flame location near you to make sure you’re all set for your big day. Everyone will be thrilled that you were bold enough to try something new, but they’ll be even happier when they try a bite of your food for the first time. Who knows? A new holiday tradition might have just been born! Your picky aunt might be more receptive the idea than you think.

At the end of the day, our team thinks that there are way more pros than cons. When the benefits far outweigh the potential negatives, it’s absolutely worth it to help shake your family out of their comfort zone.

Happy Holidays from Mighty Flame!

From our family to yours, have a safe and happy holiday season and stay tuned right here for more holiday themed tricks, ideas, and recipes!