With Christmas just around the corner, things are bound to be busy. Between juggling shopping, meals and parties, many people find themselves exhausted by the big day. Here are some ways you can make the holidays easier, giving you a bit more time to relax!
Holiday Tips on Saving Time and Money
- Cookies: Yes, the Christmas Cookies. Are you one to remember it’s time to bake just at the last minute? This year, consider visiting a nice bakery and purchasing a huge box of every kind of cookie you find. This may not save you money, but it will save you plenty of time. If you love your own recipes, bake a batch or two early and freeze them, taking them out as Christmas day approaches. If you are invited to a Cookie Exchange, RSVP with a big yes. You will need to make a batch of cookies, but will come home with even more!
- Cooking: Plan meals for the three days before Christmas and cook them this weekend. Choose things like chili, spaghetti, lasagna or soup and freeze them once they are cool. This may take up an afternoon, but the time you save the week of Christmas will be invaluable!
- Just Say No: Do you have a handful of party invitations this month? Consider saying no, you just can’t make it. Then rent a good video, put on your jammies and have movie night with the family. Don’t forget the popcorn!
- Gift Wrapping: This year, save some time on gift wrapping by purchasing gift bags and tissue paper. Simply drop the present in, cover it with tissue paper and you are done! If you have kids, why not purchase paper bags and let the kids put glitter and paint all over them for wonderful homemade gift wrapping.
- Decorations: Two years ago we only took out two boxes of decorations and filled the tree and house with those. Although I felt guilty at first for missing some of our ‘raditional? decorations, I was pleased with the time I saved both setting up and taking down Christmas!
- Kids Only: To save money, buy for the kids only. This may be initially strange for couples, but it will save your family a good deal of money. Or have each adult buy one $50 gift for themselves, wrap it and put it under the tree. This takes the guesswork out of presents and gives each parent something to look forward to.
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