Tip of the Day
November 01, 2013
Credit:
John O'Hagan
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!
Holiday Concerts and Parades
It's that time of year! Check the newspaper for free holiday concerts & parades and get them on the family calendar today.
Holiday Concerts and Parades
Holiday Concerts and Parades
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Decorate a Gingerbread House
Learn how to decorate a gingerbread house that will make your neighbors swoon with envy, or better yet, host a gingerbread house decorating party. The best part is you can eat the winnings!
Decorate a Gingerbread House
Decorate a Gingerbread House
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Get Your Table Ready
With scores of holiday soirees approaching, clean your tablecloth. You'll need it again, soon!
Get Your Table Ready
Get Your Table Ready
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Packaging Christmas Cookies
There is no gift more heart-warming (or sweet) than a gift from the oven. Learn how to beautifully package cookies for gift-giving.
Packaging Christmas Cookies
Packaging Christmas Cookies
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Budget-Friendly New Year's Bash
It's never too early to have New Year's Eve plans. This year try skipping the crowds and invite friends over for a budget-friendly bash.
Budget-Friendly New Year's Bash
Budget-Friendly New Year's Bash
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Potluck Parties
You're about to be swamped with party invites, so it's about time you perfect your potluck, travel-friendly appetizer.
Potluck Parties
Potluck Parties
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Gift-Wrapping Party
It's time to get the girls together for a gift-wrapping party. And if you don't remember anything else, just don’t forget the wine!
Gift-Wrapping Party
Gift-Wrapping Party
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Storing Christmas Cookies
Learn how to store your carefully crafted Christmas cookies to avoid stale treats.
Storing Christmas Cookies
Storing Christmas Cookies
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Donate Toys
Use 15 minutes of your day to set aside outgrown toys. Donate them to other children in need. Let your kids help so they can also learn about the spirit of seasonal giving. Or, get the girls together for a clothing swap and donate any leftover items.
Donate Toys
Donate Toys
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Plan Your Holiday Menu
Plan your holiday menu now to save stress later. Bring out your best when you host the big holiday meal. From beef tenderloin to traditional ham, check out our favorite menus for Christmas dinner.
Plan Your Holiday Menu
Plan Your Holiday Menu
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Grocery Stores
Here's a little secret between us: grocery stores are less crowded on Wednesdays. Start shopping for those nonperishable holiday menu items today. Don't forget the wine!
Grocery Stores
Grocery Stores
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RSVP for Parties
Don't forget to RSVP to all those outstanding invitations, including New Year's Eve, (that also means lining up your date for your New Year's Eve kiss)!
RSVP for Parties
RSVP for Parties
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Healthy Holiday
Use our party strategies at your next holiday gathering to keep you on track and looking great, even if the host serves an irresistable layer cake.
Healthy Holiday
Healthy Holiday
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Teacher Gifts
Try knocking out your teacher gifts today. And of course, we suggest something tasty, as nothing warms the heart like a gift from the oven.
Teacher Gifts
Teacher Gifts
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Christmas Lights
Load the kids in the car tonight to look at Christmas lights. You'll create memories that will last a lifetime. Discuss your favorites over a hot drink afterward.
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights
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Spa Night
From hosting parties, to a never ending "To Do" list, the holiday season can be stressful. Escape everyday stress with a spa night in your own living room. Turn on the tree, light the candles, and relax.
Spa Night
Spa Night
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Shipping Cookies
Have family members who live far away? You can still send them some Christmas cheer! Learn how to package cookies to avoid shipping-induced crumbles.
Shipping Cookies
Shipping Cookies
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Check Your List
You made your list, now it's time to check it twice. Did you order everything you meant to? Now's the time to know!
Check Your List
Check Your List
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Quick Clean the Kitchen
Try to spend 15 minutes cleaning your kitchen. Quick cleans will keep it tidy throughout the parade of guests and dinners.
Quick Clean the Kitchen
Quick Clean the Kitchen
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Make Gift Tags
It’s not too late to make gift tags, adding a personal touch to each gift. Download these too-cute tags for free!
Make Gift Tags
Make Gift Tags
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Quick Desserts
Save time in your holiday menu by using a quick-cooking dessert recipe that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Quick Desserts
Quick Desserts
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Family Game Night
Don't set foot in the mall this weekend—it will be a madhouse. Stay home and play a game with your family. Just roll the dice and deal the cards for a rollicking night of family fun!
Family Game Night
Family Game Night
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Make-Ahead Breakfast
Prep a make-ahead casserole to enjoy while opening gifts on the 25th. Prepare the casserole, serve it with a bowl of fresh fruit and a pitcher of juice, and let everyone dig in.
Make-Ahead Breakfast Menu
Make-Ahead Breakfast Menu
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Watch Santa's Travels
Gather the kids around the computer to watch Santa's travels. You might just see him stop by your house!
Watch Santa's Travels
Watch Santa's Travels
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Control Your Snacking
Pace yourself! All day snacking means you won't enjoy that amazing dinner, and more importantly, those amazing desserts.
Control Your Snacking
Control Your Snacking
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Perform a Leftover Revival
Breathe new life into all those Christmas day leftovers. Turn those mashed potatoes into latkes and pumpkin into muffins!
Perform a Leftover Revival
Perform a Leftover Revival
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Water Your Tree
Don’t forget to water your (live) tree so it'll perk up for your New Year's Bash!
Water Your Tree
Water Your Tree
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Post-Holiday Bargain Hunting
Hit the stores to stock up on holiday-themed goodies and wrapping paper at bargain prices for next year.
Post-Holiday Bargain Hunting Recipe
Post-Holiday Bargain Hunting Recipe
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Returning Gifts
Pair ready-to-return gifts with receipts and organize them by store so that returns are easy this year. Be prepared for long lines by grabbing a snack on your way out the door.
Returning Gifts Recipe
Returning Gifts Recipe
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Recycle Your Tree
Don’t toss that tree. Recycle! Then, eat up those leftover Christmas tree cookies to commemorate the successful season!
Recycle Your Tree Recipe
Recycle Your Tree Recipe
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Happy New Year
With our collection of Champagne cocktails and fruity sparklers, you have no excuse for not feeling festive on New Year's Eve. May next year be your best yet! To 2014!
Happy New Year
Happy New Year