25 Holiday Hacks

To help you get through the crazy (but wonderful) holiday season, I thought I’d give you 25 tips-n-tricks that will hopefully make your life a little easier:

​#1. Spend a few hours and purge your kid’s toys. Donate anything that has been loved but outgrown and toss anything that is broken or missing parts.
#2. This tool is an ABSOLUTE MUST when it comes to wrapping.
#3. Speaking of wrapping, check out this gift wrap cart from The Container Store.
#4. Or go big with a wrap CLOSET (what?!?!)!

#5. Here’s a super easy recipe I use for a delicious holiday cocktail:
In a shaker add ice, 1 ½ oz. green apple vodka, ½oz. triple sec, 1 oz. grenadine syrup and 3 oz. cranberry juice. Shake vigorously and serve over ice with an orange slice as a garnish. If serving at a party, it’s easier to make in a larger batch😊in a pitcher, add 12 oz. green apple vodka, 4 oz. triple sec, 8 oz. grenadine syrup and 24 oz. of cranberry juice, stir, add ice and orange slices. Cheers!

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​#6. Here is a guideline when serving turkey:
               Dinner for 4: a simple turkey breast will do!
               Dinner for 5-8: choose a 10-12lb. turkey
               Buffet for 9-16: choose a 14-16 lb. turkey
#7. Here is a guideline for serving sides:
               Dinner for 4: 3 sides
               Dinner for 5-8: 3-4 sides
               Buffet for 9-16: 5-7 sides
#8. And here is a guideline for serving desserts:
               Dinner for 4: 1-2 desserts
               Dinner for 5-8: 2-3 desserts
               Buffet for 9-16: 3+ desserts

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#9. Check these options out for holiday plate storage.
#10. When shopping, use apps like Ibotta or Rakuten (previously ebates) to earn cash back.
#11. Mist live greenery and your live tree daily. Not only does it help to keep them fresh longer, it also helps to boost the scent in your home.
​#12. When lighting your Christmas tree, use 100 lights for each foot of tree.
​#13. Use 10-15 medium sized ornaments for every foot of tree.
​#14. After the season, wrap your string lights around a hanger. I’ve been doing this trick for YEARS, and thanking myself EVERY YEAR for doing it when I go to decorate my tree!

#15. Check out these options for easy ornament storage.
#16. Or, use an egg carton for DIY ornament storage.
#17. Want to make your home smell like the holidays? Simmer a mix of cut oranges, cored and cut apples, cloves and cinnamon sticks on the stove in apple cider.
#18. Hanging decor? Skip the holes in the wall and check out inspiring tips from Command brand.
​#19. Last day to send packages in time for the holidays thru USPS is Dec 20 for first class, Dec 21 for priority mail and Dec 23 for priority mail express service.
#20. Here's the link for FedEx holiday ship dates.
#21. Here's the link for UPS holiday ship dates.
#22. Take the time to upload your address book info so that you can easily print mailing labels for holiday cards. If there’s no time to do it for this year, make it a “to-do” list item for January…it’s another thing you will be thanking yourself for next year!
#23. If you receive cards with photos, take pics of them and use it as their contact photo in your phone. Also, check to make sure their address info is up to date!
#24. Speaking of phones, use the Notes app and keep a running list of gift ideas for people on your list. That way, when you see or think of that perfect gift for someone, you will remember what it is when you are ready to buy.
​#25. Or, download the Santa’s Bag app to get super organized with your holiday shopping!

Cheers to you and yours! See you in 2020!

Your answer for organizing,
​Ali