The District Magazine Vol. 1 Issue 4, Winter 2016 | Page 26

10

time-saving
tips for the
holidays
The holidays are
magical, but all that
fun and festiveness
can eat up a lot of
your time. Don't let
the joy of the season
be overshadowed
by a hectic schedule
and too many todo's. These 10 simple
tips and tricks will
help you save time
so you can focus on
what really matters…
friends and family.

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1

Host a decorating party: Decorating can be extremely
time-consuming, but not as much when you have help.
Invite friends and family over, turn on some festive tunes
and deck the house to the nines. Everyone will be in
a festive mood and you'll save numerous hours you'd
otherwise spend decorating.

2

Don't cook: When you want a warm, comforting meal
but don't have the time or energy to cook, use a catering
or prepared meal service like HealthE Gourmet.

3

Take shortcuts: There's no harm in taking shortcuts
when necessary. Need holiday cookies for your next
book club meeting? Swing by the bakery instead of
making them yourself. Stick to your priorities and
consider convenient shortcuts for the rest.

4
5

Plan backwards: Set "due dates" for yourself and plan
in reverse to ensure you get all steps completed on
time.

6

Limit lists: The giving of gifts make the holidays
magical, but sometimes the gift lists can get out of
control. This year, have a focus on three main things:
one item they want, one item they need, and one gift
you both will enjoy
Shop early: Whether you need gifts for all your loved
ones or you're stocking up on groceries for the next
couple weeks, shop ahead of time to reduce stress.
Shopping ahead means you won't get stuck in long,
last-minute lines and instead can go home to relax and
enjoy some classic comfort food with friends and family.