The holiday season is about to kick into high gear but I’m not stressed—at least not this year. Over the years I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks to get me through the holidays and it would seem that finally, I may have the holidays mastered. I’m all about the sharing here in Pleasantville though, so take a quick read through my best holiday tips and see which ones will work for you!
Tip #1 Don’t Do The Stuff You Don’t Like
This is definitely a “with age comes wisdom” thing but as each year passes by, I’ve become very protective of my time, especially during the holidays. My first tip is to honestly reflect on what you did last year that sucked the life out of you and simply don’t do it again. Christmas cards were one thing that hit the chopping block for me early on. They were time-consuming and really didn’t give me any joy to send out, so I stopped sending them and felt a holiday weight lifted off my shoulders. Last year, the Elf on Shelf hit the chopping block (my kids were finally over it). This year I’m sourcing out some of my holiday baking, so I can focus on spending time with my kids. The bottom line is this, if it doesn’t bring you joy, let it go.
Tip #2 – Buy a Butterball Stuffed Frozen Turkey
Fridge space is at a premium in most houses during the holidays. Thankfully we live in Canada and coolers on back steps can be very helpful when you’re struggling to find room for just one more thing. Nothing though takes up more space than a turkey! I stopped giving valuable fridge real estate to a thawing turkey years ago. I’m a big fan of Butterball Stuffed Frozen Turkeys. Just as delicious as fresh or previously frozen turkeys but much more convenient!
Tip #3 – Save Your Egg Cartons
You won’t need your egg cartons before Christmas, but once you start to put everything away, they’re perfect for storing delicate ornaments and holiday baubles.
Tip #4 – Dust off That Slow Cooker
Just like your refrigerator, the space in your oven becomes as valuable as gold, especially if you have one oven. Since the turkey is the star of the show, it’s clearly getting the prime spot, but what of all your sides? Not to worry. Your slow cooker is your best friend. Perfect for potatoes and root vegetables, you’ll wonder why you haven’t done this all along.
Tip #5 – Give The Kids Wrapping Duty
This tip is what I like to call a win/win/win. Pick up craft paper, colourful markers in festive colours, stickers, glue and even glitter if you’re really brave and get the kids making wrapping paper. The first win—you’re keeping kids amused during their break. Second win? You’re saving money not buying expensive wrapping paper. The final win is that all your gifts are wrapped in love.
Tip #6 – Start Your Own Tradition
All traditions start somewhere and if your family doesn’t have one yet, why not start one this year. Here are a few tradition suggestions to get your creative juices flowing—new Christmas pyjamas every Christmas Eve, watching a favourite holiday movie, getting out on a Christmas morning hike, pulling out a board game, read The Night Before Christmas, make the same Christmas breakfast every year, sing carols or string popcorn. Call your family together and decide what’s important to you and the rest will come together.
Over the next three weeks I’ll be sharing these tips on Twitter. My followers can help me spread the word by sharing these tips as part of a Retweet to Win contest. Simply follow me @Candace_DX and share the tips. I’ll randomly be giving away three $50 Shop.ca cards and three $10 Butterball cards to six of my followers. See you on Twitter.
Great Tips Candace! I especially love tip 1. Hubby’s mom is from a family of 13. I use to send out 70 cards, now I am down to 18. FB has helped a lot cause everyone already knows what you up too so no need for a big ‘write up” in the card.