December is when we celebrate the wonder and beauty of the holiday season. Yet with all the festivities and gift giving, it can be a bit hectic. The suggestions here can help you “simplify” the revelry so that you have more time to enjoy. See ways to plan celebrations, entertain house guests, organize presents and decorate with ease. Remember, the holidays should be about relaxing and taking pleasure with those you love.
A Feast for the Sensible
One of the best parts of the season is enjoying all those delicious foods! Whether you’re hosting a small or large soiree, delicious hors d’oeuvres trays can be impressive and easy to prepare. Simply select a few easy-to-prepare appetizers from your grocery store’s freezer section. Hot items such as mini quiches, pot stickers and mushroom puffs can be added to your favorite pre-made spreads, dips, breads, gourmet crackers, cheeses, fruits, nuts and cookies to make an impressive party display. Add a special dessert and guests will be thrilled.
A Family Affair
Having extended family and out-of-town guests stay over during the holidays makes the season more meaningful, yet having more mouths to feed and people to keep entertained may add a little stress. Here are some tips to help you avoid it:
- Try not to pick people up from airports on the same day you plan to make dinner or host a party – or send another member of the family to do it.
- Rearrange the furniture, inflate air mattresses and have linens ready to go prior to your guests’ arrival.
- Have board games, puzzles and DVDs available so that there’s always something to do when you are attending to other things.
Got Elves?
If you don't have a slew of helpers like Santa does, you’ll find one of the best way to get all the gifts you need is to shop online. Not only are websites open for business 24-hours a day, online stores will tell you immediately if an item is out of stock. This saves you wasted trips to the mall. Best of all, many online retailers offer gift wrapping AND shipping, which means you don't have to wrap, pack boxes or wait in a line at the post office!
Simple Holiday Décor
Decorating for the holidays can be festive, but it can take a lot of work! Who has time to climb on the roof to string lights or fill every room of the house with knick knacks? If you want your house to look seasonally inviting, yet you don’t have a lot of time, try the following:
- Set out baskets of pinecones.
- Light the fireplace in the evenings.
- Tie a colorful ribbon around potted plants on the porch.
- Decorate the mantel with simple votive candles and greenery from the yard.
- Encourage kids to build and dress a snowman or decorate a tall bush like a snowman.
How to Handle a Big Bash!
Don’t worry if there’s not enough time to cook an entire dinner for a big party. There is a reason why the potluck method of asking friends and family to bring over special holiday dishes is so popular. You can make the turkey, roast or ham and a few easy desserts, then have guests fill in the rest of the menu. Another option is to make half of the food and buy the remainder from the deli section of your local grocery store or restaurant. Serve buffet-style to use fewer plates and to save time during cleanup. If you have teenagers at home or living in the neighborhood, consider enlisting their help for the night. They can refill drinks, collect dirty plates and keep refilling serving platters so that you are free to chat with guests and greet people as they arrive.