Holiday Tips!

Do you give the gift of baked goods for the holidays? If so, recycle your old jars for things like Chex mix & candies. Pringles cans make great cookie tubes. They seal tight for freshness and stacks the cookies so they don't move around and break. Cover with wrapping paper, add a bow and you're done. No expensive tins, trays or boxes needed. (Also a great method for shipping cookies.) If you do buy trays, skip the seasonal ones and go for solid colors instead. That way the recipient can use it all year. (These can be a great deal cheaper as well.)
Having a Holiday party? Use dry erase markers to write guests names on wine glasses, this eliminates the "Which glass is mine again?" confusion and wipes off easily after the party.

Knit stockings make great, decorative wine bottle holders & look adorable while sitting on the table.
Don't want to buy seasonal serving trays? Just cut pieces of wrapping paper to fit inside the ones you already have. Bonus, clean up is a snap. Just throw the paper away after the party.
Need a festive table centerpiece? Why not fill a large jar or vase with colorful ornaments, toss in a string of battery operated lights and viola! Don't have any lights? Weave some garland or ribbons through the ornaments instead.

Need an inexpensive craft to keep the kids busy? Collect pinecones from the yard and let the kids turn them into adorable ornaments. Glue on glitter, buttons, ribbons, or anything you have laying around, tie on a piece of string and you have a beautiful ornament that adds charm to any tree. To decorate long, buffet style tables, place various candles down the length of the table, wind garland around candles, place ornaments or silk flowers throughout and you're done. Once lit, the candles will make the garland shimmer and you have instant elegance.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to holiday celebrations is that it's not about being perfect, it's about spending time with the people you love. No one will care if your tablecloth is wrinkled or if your glasses don't match. Spend less time worrying about the details and more time laughing, eating and making lifelong memories. The greatest gift you can give yourself and your loved ones is a stress free, enjoyable holiday. So sit back, pour a fresh glass of eggnog and be merry. XOXO