TIPS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

MAKE A HOLIDAY PLAYLIST

No, not the local soft rock station that inevitably turns into

24/7 Christmas music. Make a playlist of Christmas

music YOU like, and it doesn’t have to all be “Christmas”

music, either; just tunes that make you feel Merry & Bright.

Listening to good music lowers stress hormones and

your blood pressure, so if cranking up Queen gets you

in the Holiday Spirit, rock on.

USE A GARMENT BAG FOR CREATIVE STORAGE

Speaking of having all your stuff together, keep your

wrapping paper and all assorted wrapping bits together

by hanging them in a clear plastic garment bag, then just hang

the bag in the closet.

MAKE GIFT TAGS OUT OF OLD OR FREE PAINT CHIPS

Use a cookie cutter to draw the design on the back, cut it

out, punch a hole in the top, and you look quite fancy.

PREP AND CUT AHEAD OF TIME

If you’re making a big holiday meal, chop things the day or

several days before, label it and chuck it in the fridge. Imagine

cooking on Christmas without having to get out a cutting board.

MAKE MULLED WINE FOR THE TASTE AND SMELL

Make mulled wine (or cider, if you want a non-alcoholic

version) in your crock pot. Wine, sugar, spices, oranges and

a crock pot. Your house will smell AMAZING for your party

(or yourself. We aren’t judging.)

REQUEST GIFT WRAPPING

A lot of places, including some online retailers, will offer it

for free.

USE THE 30 MINUTE RULE IF YOU HAVE

GUESTS COMING OVER

What’s the 30 minute rule? Don’t do anything as far as

cleaning or preparing the house that will take more than

30 minutes. No one expects perfection; they’re coming

to your home to see YOU and your family, not your

floors. (Also, please note that if you’re having a party,

unless your floors are gross, don’t mop them.

You’ll have to do it the next day after the party anyway.)

DECIDE TO KEEP OR TOSS FAMILY TRADITIONS

If you have a costly, time consuming family tradition

that no one in your family does out of any reason

but “IT’S TRADITION,” why are you wasting your

precious holiday time and energy on it? Presents on

Christmas Eve or Christmas Afternoon so everyone

can sleep in? Yes, that’s acceptable.