HOLIDAY TIPS & EDIBLE GIFTS

This easy recipe plays on the beloved combo of peanut butter and jelly. The truffles are rolled in freeze-dried raspberries at the end to give them a bright, festive look. 

Since rosemary and citrus flavors dominate so many classic holiday dishes, Damaris Phillips' herbaceous vinegar is a home cook's greatest ally. Friends and family can use it throughout the winter months to add flavor to slow-cooked meats, salads and more.          

A miniature Bundt cake made with love is the perfect small gift for co-workers, teachers and those overworked delivery people who have spent the month bringing endless packages to your door. Put a single-serving cake in a tiny cake box, or a whole cake in a large one, then tie it up  with lush ribbons.          

Turn candy canes into an extra-special treat by molding them into spoons and topping with chocolate and other goodies. 

Ellie Krieger's truffles are perfect for the sweets lover on your list — they're decadent but not too indulgent. These guilt-free fig treats have a chewy center and a dark chocolate coating on the outside.          

This super simple recipe only uses three ingredients: oranges, sugar and chocolate. Seriously, the hardest part is waiting for the chocolate to set before eating.  

Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that will immediately become one of your favorites after your first taste. Use it for this exciting twist on cheese straws, and gift it with a small Mason jar filled with a little extra homemade za'atar. It's insanely addictive.          

This nutty, fruity granola is easier than you might think! All you have to do is toast the ingredients on a baking sheet, then cool and mix in the dried cherries. Breakfast will never be the same again.    

These nutty, buttery candies are incredibly simple to make and oh-so-pretty. You could easily divide the batch to gift two packages—or keep half for yourself!     

Your hosting style shapes how you do your home cleaning for holiday  entertaining — and the challenges you might have along the way. Whether  your approach is perfectionist, relaxed, or balanced, you can use  related cleaning tips to focus on what's most natural and productive for  you. That way, you'll simplify your holiday cleaning, de-stress — and  max your enjoyment. 

STYLE 1:  ‘Everything has to be sparkling clean and in place.’

Cleaning personality: Strives for perfection, wants the home dressed to impress 
If  there was an award for the most effort and the highest standards in  home cleaning for a holiday gathering, this personality would win, hands down. These hosts pay attention to every detail in every area: intensive house-wide cleaning, extensive color-coordinated decorating, and  anticipation of everyone’s preferences. Kind of like running a five-star boutique hotel with no housekeeping staff.

Watch out for this: With a perfectionist, there can be a lot of frustration, because you never feel finished or satisfied, even after all the fabulous cleaning you’ve done.

Tips for a less-stressed holiday:

• Block and chunk up tasks. Set a timer for 20 minutes and focus on one room at a time. When the timer goes off, be OK with how much you did in that room and move on. This can be so important for a perfectionist, because it sets boundaries and forces them to not lose time by, say, dusting the knobs off a blender.  When you’re on a timer, you’ll be more productive rather than obsessive. Perfectionists need to give themselves permission to move forward and say 'good enough.'
• Clean as you go. As guests arrive, a perfectionist  may get sidetracked cleaning instead of enjoying. Prep beforehand as much as you can and embrace a clean as-you-go strategy. For example, if you made a giant pot of spaghetti, scrub out  the pot, dry it, and put it away before sitting down for dinner. Don’t clean when it’s time to be visiting or entertaining.
• Limit yourself to a few extra touches. To be happy, perfectionists need to first soothe that inner desire to impress. Add a few special touches, but don’t go overboard. For overnight guests, have a tray or basketful of toiletries, such as hand soaps, shampoos, and toothbrushes. They’ll appreciate the extra thought, but it's not a heavy lift for you.
  
  Or,  try an origami tissue design on the edges of tissues or the dinner napkins (search for “origami tissue designs” to learn how). This is a great hack to set yourself apart from other perfectly clean homes. Plus, once you master the technique, it won’t zap your time.

STYLE 2: ‘Focus on the key areas, but let’s not go overboard.’

Cleaning personality: Aims for balance in home prep, seeks shortcuts
The hard part of balance is maintaining it. It’s so easy to lean too far in either direction — cleaning too much or too little or being distracted by things that aren’t that important. And before these hosts know it, a shortcut or miscalculation results in something like a fridge with a funky odor. They overlooked it, but their guests looking for milk for their morning coffee got a noseful. Eww.

Watch out for this: Because people with this style aren’t obsessed with every detail, they tend to do surface cleaning  only. They may have tidied up the home and put items away, but the floors may still be dirty and tables dusty.

Tips for a less-stressed holiday:

• Try a one-a-day approach to deep cleaning. Leading up to the holidays, plan on tackling something dirtier than you normally would, just one per day. By the time the  holidays get here, you’ll be all ready. One day, you might focus on wiping down all the kitchen cabinet fronts; the next day, concentrate on cleaning the baseboards. That way, besides just tidying up, you’ll be squeezing in deeper cleaning chores.
• Prioritize. Identify where and what needs most of  your attention. Often, it’s only about three rooms. When you have guests over, zero in on the rooms your guests are sure to use, like the entryways, living areas, bathrooms, and for overnight guests, bedrooms. Don't get bogged down cleaning areas like the laundry rooms that they’ll never see.
• Get creative in simplifying tasks. If pressed for time, try squeezing in cleaning while waiting on everyday tasks — like for your morning coffee to brew. Use those five minutes to unload the dishwasher from the night before or to tidy up the living room.
• Find help and a shortcut or two. Enlist other family members to pitch in and assign everyone a cleaning task. Be specific — like “vacuum the living room” — to maximize participation. Look for other shortcuts, like adding a cleaning disc inside the toilet tank to help it self-clean day to day. Or, call in the pros to prepare your dinner table. Companies are popping up that allow you to rent picture-perfect table settings for a dinner party, from the linens to the dishware and glasses. Bonus: You don't have to  store the items later.

STYLE 3: ‘A relaxed vibe is just right to make everyone feel at home.’ 

Cleaning personality: Seeks to do the bare minimum, embraces casual hosting
It’s great to make your guests feel at home. These hosts are relaxed and casual, which can put everyone at ease. But an extreme hands-off approach spells trouble. Super-laid-backed hosts may not do enough activities like decluttering — and that can invite stress. Now that's a holiday guest you don't want.

Watch out for this: Relaxed hosts may not have the most clean houses, but they aren’t about being pretentious. "Work smart, not hard” is their motto. They want guests to feel welcome and right at home, even if a little clutter comes with the territory.

Tips for a less-stressed holiday:

• Preclean. Arm yourself with an empty laundry basket and collect all loose items throughout the house. This isn’t cleaning; it’s pre-cleaning. This is pick up, tidy, and  then organize. Put everything (like dirty towels, shoes, kids' toys, clothes on the floor) in the basket. Sort directly from it, returning each item to its rightful place. Better yet, if others live with you, give them each a laundry basket of their items to put away. It’s  amazing how a space can look like an absolute disaster. Then you start this process, and within 10 minutes, it doesn’t look as bad. All you did was pick up and tidy.
• Address the eyesores. Identify the key areas that need to be deep-cleaned, usually the bathroom and kitchen, several days  before guests arrive. Wipe down the countertops and appliances, and run a vacuum or mop to remove dirt and crumbs. Ask family members to help.
• Ask for pro help. If cleaning isn’t your thing, it’s OK to call in the pros. A housekeeping service can deep-clean your house so you can focus on entertaining your guests. A professional cleaning company may charge between $200 and $400 for a deep clean. You don’t have to commit to weekly service either. But book in advance; they tend to fill up fast before the holidays.

Make your holiday cleaning style work for you. Once you know your problem areas and plan some workarounds, you’ll accomplish more with your home cleaning time and be happier with the results — and the holidays.      

Article courtesy: Houselogic.com

As the holiday season approaches, it brings with it a unique mix of excitement and anxiety. It’s a time filled with traditions, celebrations, and gatherings, but also a period that can easily become  overwhelming with its demands and expectations. It’s important to remember that during this festive chaos, taking care of our mental and emotional well-being is crucial. By acknowledging the potential stressors and proactively managing them, we can not only navigate the season more smoothly but also find greater joy and peace in our celebrations. The following tips are designed to help you do just that, ensuring your holidays are not only merry but also mentally  refreshing.

One of the first steps to a stress-free holiday is setting realistic expectations. It’s important to remember that it’s okay not to have a perfect holiday. Prioritize events and activities that are most important to you and your family, and feel comfortable saying no to others. Accept that you can’t do everything, and focus on enjoying what  you can do. Remember, the holidays are about enjoyment and making memories, not about perfection. 

Financial worries can significantly add to holiday stress. To avoid  this, plan a holiday budget and stick to it. This could mean setting limits on gift spending, choosing homemade gifts, or planning  cost-effective holiday meals. Remember, the holiday spirit is not measured by the price tag but by the thought and love put into the season. A thoughtful, personalized gift often holds more value than something expensive.         

In the whirlwind of holiday activities, don’t forget to take time for yourself. Schedule periods for self-care activities, whether it’s a quiet walk, a relaxing bath, meditation, or simply reading a book. These moments of tranquility can recharge your batteries and help you cope better with stress. Self-care is not  selfish; it’s necessary for maintaining your mental health during busy  times. 

Having a support network can be incredibly beneficial during stressful  times. Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends or family members when you feel overwhelmed. You can also consider joining community events or support groups. Remember, it’s okay to share your feelings and seek comfort in others. Sharing your experiences can also help others feel less alone in their stress. 

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool in managing stress. Simple exercises such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindful mediation, can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety.  These techniques can be particularly useful when you find yourself getting caught up in the holiday rush. Even a few minutes of mindfulness each day can make a significant difference.   

It’s easy to let healthy habits slip during the holidays, but maintaining them can significantly impact your stress levels. Try to keep a regular sleep schedule, eat balanced meals, and incorporate physical activity into your day. These habits not only boost your physical health but also your mental well-being. Resist the temptation to overindulge in holiday treats, which can leave you feeling sluggish and stressed.  

You don’t have to do everything yourself. Share the load by delegating tasks to family members or friends. For instance, if you’re hosting a meal, ask guests to bring a dish. Delegating not only reduces your workload but also makes others feel involved and valued. It can also create a sense of community and shared responsibility, which is what the holidays are all about.         

Often, it’s the small moments that bring the most joy. Take time to appreciate the little things, like the warmth of a fire, the laughter of a child, or the beauty of holiday decorations. Keeping a gratitude journal or practicing daily reflection can help you recognize and cherish these moments. These small joys can serve as a reminder of what the holidays are truly about.   

While staying connected is important, too much time on social media or in front of screens can add to your stress. Consider setting boundaries for your digital consumption. Use the time you gain to engage in more fulfilling activities, like spending time with loved ones or pursuing a  hobby. Remember, the curated images on tv and social media often don’t reflect reality and can create unrealistic expectations. 

Good organization can alleviate a lot of holiday stress. Plan your activities, shopping, and meals ahead of time, and keep track of them using lists, calendars, or apps. This will help prevent last-minute rushes and the anxiety that comes with them. Being organized can give you a sense of control and peace, allowing you to enjoy the festivities more fully. 

Article courtesy: mindfulhealthsolutions.com