Happy Friday everyone!!!! Hope all of you have fun
and exciting plans for the weekend.
Planning
Ahead:
From
Christmas baking to hosting parties, we always manage to go over board and do that
last minute running around. When we do this, we are always disorganized and
always forget other the minor or major necessities. So do a to do list and have
a budget!!!!
So here is a few tips that you can use to help you
plan and to stay ahead of the game:
1. Buy all of your baking and cooking
items well in advance (plus a little bit extra)-
when you do this you will have less time running around and more time on all of
the other holiday festivities
2. Strategize
Gift-Wrapping- Start wrapping
presents early, but add ribbons, bows, and tags later (label gifts with sticky
notes so that you don't forget who gets what). Unadorned boxes are stackable
and, as a result, will be easy to store and transport.
3. Tend the Bar- Take inventory of
liquor-cabinet staples, including tonic water and other mixers, and restock
those that are running low. Also chill a few bottles of Champagne, as the best
holiday fetes are often spontaneous.
4. Draw
Up a Budget and a Gift List Before You Shop- This will ensure even distribution (among say, your kids
or your grandkids) and eliminate aimless shopping expeditions. Organize lists
by category (clothing, electronics, toys), so you'll have to make only one trip
to each store. You can also encourage friends and family to set up wish lists
with their favorite online retailers. These services, which work just like
wedding registries, are especially helpful for long-distance gift exchanges.
5. Create
a Plan for Holiday Entertaining- Trying
to get everything done at the last minute with guests knocking at your door
sparks serious stress. Instead, pace yourself. Think about what you can prepare
in advance and make a checklist of all the ingredients you need. When it comes
time to shop (ideally a few days before the big event), avoid the
evening-weekday rush and weekend crowds. The day of, set the table in the
morning so that unforeseen events -- a late meeting, a last-minute stop at the
wine seller -- don't slow things down. Right before your guests arrive, dim the
lights, light some candles, and pour yourself a glass of wine
DIY
Decorations
Wow your guests this
year with great DIY decorations that you throughout your house.
When it comes to the
decorating for the holidays all you would hear are Cha Ching.... that’s right
folks those lovely dollars signs always likes to make their loud appearances
during this time of year. But they can be silenced.... that’s right they can be
silenced.
Instead
of always buying new decorations every year or because the ones that you have are
old and sad looking, just take a look around your house and get inspired.
Like those empty wine bottles.... turn them into
simple shelf decorations with some metallic paint or even us them as candle
holders
Glass vases.... you can fill them up with pine
cones, fruits (like lemons, limes, oranges....)
Mason/Jam jars..... Great for homemade snow globes, candle
holders or even make great gifts if you’re a baker.
Links
and websites:
These are some of my go to websites and links that I love to go to when I am getting ready for the holiday season (or even a party). They provide great ideas and information for the holiday season or for any occasion!!!!
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