Last-Minute Holiday Hacks

December 14, 2015 by Kenmore

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Time is ticking away, you still have about a hundred things on your to-do list and lately you’ve found yourself in a Grinch-like mood more than you’d like. Stop! Now take a breath, and let’s see where you can take a few shortcuts. Here’s a few tips to help you save time, your sanity and get back into the holiday spirit.

Go for the smaller grocery cart — Not every night has to be a 5-star event. Save a little money and make a flawless meal with the ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

Take a raincheck — Avoid long lines and extra shipping costs at the post office by proposing to exchange gifts with long distance friends and relatives after the holidays end. You can keep a little sanity during this crazy time and have something fun to look forward to in January!

I before E, salad fork before…? — You don’t have to remember it all on your own, check out these helpful charts for table settings, wine pairings and more to help you host like a pro in no time.

Cut down on prep time — When stand mixers, food processors, blenders and even coffee makers with automatic bean grinders exist, there’s no reason to spend your precious, limited time still doing prep by hand.

Shaken, not stirred — Save funds and go with a signature drink for the night instead of stocking a full bar. Your guests will definitely enjoy the custom thought put into this party detail. Our top picks below:

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

Spiced Pear Martini

Raspberry Pomegranate Holiday Punch

Pass “go” for fun — Even though your guests probably won’t be able to keep their eyes off of your cooking skills, it’s nice to have a backup. Break out the board games and keep them in the main rooms for those moments of downtime.

Stream away — For those family and friends who aren’t interested in going into a three-hour (minimum) game of Monopoly®, have a list ready of which holiday movies are currently streaming that the whole family can enjoy! We’ll be on our second helping of “Love, Actually.”

Give yourself a little refresh — Use the Steam Refresh™ cycle on your Kenmore® dryer to give small loads a quick steam pick-me-up. That means fresh, dry and ready-to-wear clothes in just 20 minutes!

Make it bite-sized — A variety of small, easy-to-make appetizers can really round out the meal instead of worrying about making one dish to please everyone. These bite-sized appetizers are guaranteed to please the crowd.

Mini Shepherd’s Pie

Antipasto Skewer Wreath 

Easy Cheesy Onion Pull-Apart Bread 

Caprese Flatbread

Wedge Salad on a Stick

Herbed Goat Cheese Balls 

Load ‘em up — You need a dishwasher that can keep up with you! Check out these five dishwasher hacks to help you get the most out of your machine. 

Image Credit: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

Kenmore

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