Stress-Free Holidays
The holidays are supposed to be fun with family and friends, but many people stress over details such as having enough food for everyone or whether the turkey will bomb. So Real Simple magazine has some great solutions on having a stress-free holiday.
The magazine's Kris Connell visits The Early Show on Tuesday to offer tips including some from readers.
The keys are to keep it simple, have fun, don't be afraid to ask for help and be organized.
Make entertaining simple online
The Web site organizedchristmas.com features a "Christmas Countdown," a six-week organizer that breaks down the holiday workload into manageable steps. If you follow the schedules on the site, you'll be caught up with gift-buying, card addressing and decorating, and even have enough time for a holiday get-together.
Get organized
Create a holiday notebook with spreadsheets. Include names organized by family, whether each gift has been bought yet, and, if so, where it was purchased, the cost, and whether it has been wrapped and delivered. This idea came from a viewer. Put your spreadsheet into a binder and it keeps everything together.
Start cooking early
Prepare your favorite holiday dishes in advance, as early as October, before all the festivities start to cram up your calendar. Freeze portions in containers. Frozen baked goods make a perfect hostess gift. Put what you'll serve to guests in clearly labeled freezer bags. You don't have to prepare everything in one week. Plan ahead and store things, and you'll feel so much better when the big party rolls around.
Host a pot-luck party
Every guest can contribute something to the meal. It takes the pressure off the hostess and, because everyone helps, you end up enjoying your time together rather than worrying about what has to be done. Don't worry about having the "perfect" menu and don't be afraid to ask for help. Ask folks to bring a salad or a side dish. It makes your life easier and your guests will feel like they are bringing something useful.
Make holiday entertaining fun
If children are included in the party, set out plain sugar cookies with lots of decorations like frosting, colored sugars, sprinkles and crushed candy canes. Then let the kids have free rein. This not only keeps them entertained, but provides a fun, homemade dessert with little effort. You can also send guests home with cookies as a party favor.
Celebrate the day-after
Many rush around from house to house, party to party on Thanksgiving or Christmas day. One reader suggests cutting down on the driving, and the stress, by inviting relatives and friends to your house the day after the big holiday. Everyone can bring leftovers, so it doesn't require much work, and you can spend time together in a more relaxed environment.