Tip of the Day
October 01, 2013
Credit:
Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Rachel Haas
Let us help you make this holiday season the best, easiest celebration yet. Follow our day-by-day tips to make your holiday bright this year, without the stress!
Start Your Engines!
The holiday season is upon us! Adorn your house with goofy (or spooky) Halloween decorations. Our friends at All You have a few great ideas.
Start Your Engines!
Start Your Engines!
1 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Stock Up Now
You're already ahead of the game. Stock up on cookie tins, baskets, and glass jars for food gifts at the dollar stores in your area to stuff with holiday treats, like homemade spirits.
Stock Up Now Recipe
Stock Up Now Recipe
2 of 31
Perfectly Sweet
Learn what not to do before you start making holiday goodies for friends and family. If you make a mistake, don't fret! Now is the time to practice so that you can enjoy all the delicious mistakes.
Perfectly Sweet
Perfectly Sweet
3 of 31
Advertisement
Look for Sales
Pick up the candy for the trick-or-treaters today, then hide it from yourself until the big day. We suggest the garage, the freezer, or your sock drawer. We also suggest sneaking a piece every now and then.
Look for Sales
Look for Sales
4 of 31
Bar Planning 101
Stock your bar now and be ready for holiday entertaining. Picking up staples now means you won't be out hunting for the eggnog "extras" with every other late-shopper in town before the holiday parties.
Bar Essentials and Planning 101Â
Bar Essentials and Planning 101Â
5 of 31
Pick a Picture
Sending holiday cards this year? Pick a photo today or book a photographer now. We suggest selecting a photo during dinner when everyone is full and happy.
Pick a Picture
Pick a Picture
6 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Host a Costume Swap
Making the kids' costumes? Get going! Ordering them? Search for deals and discounts today. We suggest hosting a costume swap so your last-year's goblin can be someone else's ghost this year.
Host a Costume Swap Menu
Host a Costume Swap Menu
7 of 31
Get Your Ghoul On
Wrangle the kids for an afternoon of baking Halloween treats. Crank up some festive tunes while you craft your meringue ghosts and skeleton cookies.
Get Your Ghoul On
Get Your Ghoul On
8 of 31
Declutter for a Cause
Do some good by selecting gently-used clothing and toys to donate this season. You'll declutter and do a good deed.
Declutter for a Cause
Declutter for a Cause
9 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Stockpile Staples
Stock up on pecans now while they're not yet an official "holiday item." They can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 years. Test them out on a cheesecake to share with your office.
Stockpile Staples Recipe
Stockpile Staples Recipe
10 of 31
Pick Up Pumpkin
Stock up on canned pumpkin now while it's on sale. Then you'll have it on hand for pumpkin pies during the holidays.
Pick Up Pumpkin
Pick Up Pumpkin
11 of 31
Safety First
Remind your kids of Halloween safety tips: stay on sidewalks, carry a light, and no eating candy before they get home!
Safety First
Safety First
12 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Make Some Dough
If you like to ship cookies around the holidays, make your favorite dough recipe now and freeze it to save yourself time during the busy holiday season.
Make Some Dough
Make Some Dough
13 of 31
Spice Things Up
Learn how easy it is to infuse comforting spices into your apple cider. Make two batches: one for the kiddos and a spirited one for you and your friends.
Spice Things Up
Spice Things Up
14 of 31
Snack on Seeds
Save the seeds from your Halloween jack-o-lantern and make a tasty snack for the family to enjoy later. Pumpkin seeds are delicious!
Snack on Seeds Recipe
Snack on Seeds Recipe
15 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Be Prepared
Be ready for unexpected company with last-minute appetizers. Having these pantry staples on hand means you won't be caught unawares when guests stop by during the season.
Be Prepared
Be Prepared
16 of 31
Nab Some Candy
Christmas candy is already on the shelves! Buy extra candy canes. You know you’re going to need them.
Nab Some Candy
Nab Some Candy
17 of 31
Conjure Up a Feast
Invite friends over for a spooky feast this evening. On the menu: Garlicky Sweet Potatoes to ward away vampires (and unwanted suitors) and Ghostly Pizza.
Conjure Up a Feast Menu
Conjure Up a Feast Menu
18 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Test Your Temperature
Credit:
Soy Milk Pumpkin Pie
Temperature variation causes those pesky cracks in your pumpkin pie. Stop the madness by testing your oven temperature now before the holiday baking begins.
Test Your Temperature
Test Your Temperature
19 of 31
Apple Season
Take advantage of apple season to stock up on apples and make apple butter in the slow cooker. Your friends and neighbors will love your food gift idea!
Apple Season Recipe
Apple Season Recipe
20 of 31
Don't Forget the Dog
While it takes a very patient pooch to rock a Halloween costume, it's almost impossible to resist these cute food-inspired getups.
Don't Forget the Dog
Don't Forget the Dog
21 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Wine Discounts
Stores often offer discounts on wine when you buy by the case. Take advantage of shopping early to stock up on your favorite "table wines" to have around for guests. Don't forget, you'll be taking bottles to parties and open houses throughout the season.
Wine Discounts
Wine Discounts
22 of 31
Simplify
Review last year's holiday schedule and simplify. What one thing is a must-keep and what one thing can go? Make sure to ask all members of the family!
Simplify
Simplify
23 of 31
Play Haunted Hostess
Get your adult friends together for a costume party—no kiddos allowed. Get creative with couples costumes and indulge in your alter ego tonight.
Play Haunted Hostess
Play Haunted Hostess
24 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Wrap It Up
Beat the rush! Buy wrapping paper and ribbons now. Plan to stock up on gift boxes, tape, and bows as well.
Wrap It Up
Wrap It Up
25 of 31
Stack the Liners
During parties, line the trash can with multiple bags so that you can easily toss one out and have another ready to go.
Stack the Liners
Stack the Liners
26 of 31
Play the Multitasking Game
Address your holiday cards while you watch the big game on the big-screen TV. Don't drip salsa on the envelopes!
Play the Multitasking Game Recipe
Play the Multitasking Game Recipe
27 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Get It Now
Don't miss out on your chance to bake pint-size snowmen and candy canes. Stock up on holiday cookie cutters now before they're all gone.
Get It Now
Get It Now
28 of 31
Save the Candy
Plan to use all that leftover Halloween candy you're going to have to make some delicious holiday desserts.
Save the Candy
Save the Candy
29 of 31
Get Rolling
Make rolls for Thanksgiving. Bake and store in the freezer. Simply thaw and reheat on Thanksgiving morning.
Get Rolling Recipe
Get Rolling Recipe
30 of 31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Relax!
Take time to enjoy the holiday with family today. You can swing right back into the holiday madness tomorrow!
Relax!
Relax!