Tip of the Day

October 01, 2013
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!
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Start Your Engines!

Oxmoor House
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!
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Stock Up Now

Photo: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Kelli Ronci
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

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Perfectly Sweet

Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy, Cooking Light
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
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Look for Sales

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams
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

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Bar Planning 101

Photo: Beau Gustafson / Styling: Mindy Shapiro Levine
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 101 

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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
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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

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Get Your Ghoul On

Photo: William Dickey
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

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Declutter for a Cause

Photo: Beau Gustafson
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
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Stockpile Staples

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett
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

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Pick Up Pumpkin

Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell
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

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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
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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

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Spice Things Up

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Leigh Ann Ross
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

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Snack on Seeds

Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Lynda White
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
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Be Prepared

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Stylist: Lisa Powell Bailey
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

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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

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Conjure Up a Feast

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Lynn Miller
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
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Test Your Temperature

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

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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

21 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
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Wine Discounts

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cooking Light
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

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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

24 of 31

Play Haunted Hostess

Photo: Thayer Allyson Gowdy; Styling: Miranda Jones
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
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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

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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

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Play the Multitasking Game

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell
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
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Get It Now

Photo: Hector Sanchez
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

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Save the Candy

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Blakeslee Wright Giles
Plan to use all that leftover Halloween candy you're going to have to make some delicious holiday desserts.
Save the Candy

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Get Rolling

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Make rolls for Thanksgiving. Bake and store in the freezer. Simply thaw and reheat on Thanksgiving morning.
Get Rolling Recipe
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Relax!

Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Rachel Haas
Take time to enjoy the holiday with family today. You can swing right back into the holiday madness tomorrow!
Relax!
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