Holiday Tips for the Chaos

Holidays are quickly approaching and every parent around the world begins to shutter in place. The words of Happy Holidays begin to ring in your head as you begin to spin out of control stressing over hosting and shopping. However, this year do not stress as you would instead take a look at the few helpful tips below!

Shopping for Presents

The big day is coming soon, faster than expected, how do we handle the chaos of Christmas shopping? Well, most people will go crazy and stampede their way into Best Buy and Walmart for a toy and tv, however, there are some that will also take advantage of cyber Monday and online shopping. Is one way better than the other? Is there a best way to do it? My answer, do what suits you and your needs. For our family we begin Christmas shopping pretty early, basically at the start of November. There tends to be a lot of sales going on and for our family these sales cover the needs and wants. Our children are 2 and 5, so we are not buying heavy duty tech and high priced items, that makes Black Friday basically useless for us. We are still in the realm of small toys, board games, science activities and outdoor fun. Most sales starting in November, both in store and online, cover what we need for our kiddos. Then once we get the bulk of the shopping done we can then look at all the other sales going on and pick up items throughout the following weeks leading up to the big day. We tend to get our kids stocking stuffers from Dollar Tree, Walmart or Target bargain isles which both gives them great joy and saves dollars in our pocket. No matter how or where you shop, do it to what suits you and your needs.

Shopping for the holiday meals

If you are the one doing the shopping it can be a tough process and a lot to go out and get. Try getting out early and buying the items on your list that do not have a quick expiration date, that way when you need to buy the fresher items you already have some of the non perishable items saved. While shopping try and clip digital coupons ahead of your outing, use apps and websites to help organize your coupons as well. We tend to do the most shopping at Giant Eagle, therefore using their app allows us to clip coupons that are taken off at purchase instantly without ever handing over a coupon slip. Also, if you are a Giant Eagle shopper try to purchase their brand items, this gives you extra perks and allows you to add up your savings quicker. There are also other coupon and discount apps you can use, Honey and Ibotta are two apps that are very popular in the shopping world and give cash back options.

Hosting the holiday

Hosting the holidays may be the most stressful thing you can do. I know there are people out there that absolutely love it and claim it does not stress them out, however, I know from experience it can be very overwhelming. If you have to host, forget what people think, do not let their judgment hinder you from doing some tips that make it a little easier to manage the chaos. First, put away the fine glassware and go with paper material instead. Use a nice paper plate, they even make them with festive theme designs, and some hip Red Solo cups for your drinks. This then allows your guests to clean up after themselves or gives you a very quick and easy clean up process. Secondly, you can ask some of the guests to help provide the food and beverages. Now this may seem outlandish, but in the end hosting a large party in 2022 is not a cost effective activity. With inflation on the rise, asking some of the guests to help supply a side dish, kids drinks or better yet adult beverages is a great way to help cut costs and take away some of the stress of the holiday hosting.

No matter what, in the end do what feels right and makes you happy. Do not let others dictate the outcome of your holidays, it's your time to enjoy and relax with family as well, so do whatever you want to make sure you get your time as well.