The Season to Relax: Our Last-Minute Holiday Hacks
Uh-ohh! The time is ticking away, you still have a bazillion things on your to-do list, and lately you’re channeling your inner Grinch more often than you’d like.
Time out. Now, take a breath. And another one. Now, let’s see where we can take a few easy shortcuts and make the holidays a tad more jolly. We have a few holiday hacks to help you save time, regain your sanity and get your mood back into the spirit of the season.
Go for the smaller grocery cart
Not every night has to be a 5-star event. Save a little money and make a comforting meal with the ingredients you already have in your pantry and fridge.
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 maintain your peace-of-mind 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. [link to refreshed livemore article]
Cut down on prep time
Small kitchen appliances always come up big this time of year! When stand mixers, food processors, hand mixers, blenders and programmable coffee makers exist, there’s no reason to spend your precious, limited time still doing prep by hand. [Ed. Note: spreading the love w/ 5 retailers]
Shaken, not stirred
Simplify, save funds, and go with a signature drink for the night instead of stocking a full bar. Your guests will appreciate the custom thought put into this party detail. Our top picks include…
And for guests of all ages who might prefer to celebrate without alcohol, we offer this super-easy, party-size punch recipe…
Alcohol-Free Holiday Punch
Ingredients
Sugar, to rim glasses
4 cup ginger ale
4 cup pomegranate juice
2 cup raspberry sorbet
Pomegranate seeds
Directions
In a large punch bowl pour in ginger ale, juice, and sorbet. Rim glasses by dipping in extra juice then dipping into sugar. Right before serving, toss in the seeds.
Pass “Go” for fun
Even though your guests will probably struggle to keep their eyes off your impressive cooking skills, it’s nice to have a backup plan. Break out the board games and keep them in the main rooms for those downtime moments.
Stream away
For family and friends who aren’t interested in diving into a three-hour Monopoly® marathon, prepare a list of family-friendly holiday movies that are currently available for streaming. Or, create a holiday playlist of yuletide classics on your favorite music platform, and have an old-fashioned sing-along!
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 crowd-pleasers.
Make cleanup time a breeze
The right dishwasher can make holiday hosting so much easier with flexible loading options, an adjustable or removable third rack, advanced cleaning performance that needs no pre-rinsing, and whisper-quiet operation that won’t kill the mood.
Make room for leftovers
No matter how carefully you plan, there’s bound to be some extra food and refreshment to put away after the last carol has been sung. A spacious refrigerator with adjustable full-width shelves and gallon-size door storage can make it easy to store it all and keep it fresh.
Holiday officially hacked
There now… feeling a little better about your holiday plans? All right, then. Take another deep breath (and save these holiday hacks for your next go-round). You’ve got this. There’s ho-ho-hope for a joyful holiday celebration after all!
Kenmore
The Kenmore brand represents 100 years of trusted performance, backed by exclusive features and innovations that no other brand can bring to the table. We’re always evolving to ensure day-to-day tasks are taken care of with faster cooking, better cleaning and more living throughout the home.
