Top 10 Holiday Hacks

Nov 17

For some of us, the holidays can be a real bitch. No matter how hard we try to make them painfully beautiful, more often than not, they turn out beautifully painful. Still, there are ways to cut corners and make our midlife years more precious than ever - and why shouldn’t they be, by now we’ve earned the right to kickback and enjoy each and every holiday we’ve got left. Here are some hacks I’ve used over the years. Hopefully they’ll make your midlife mayhem more marvelous…

Plan Ahead

I used to stress myself out on day-of seasonal festivities. Mixing, baking, clean up, packaging - it all made me *nuts* and few enjoyed my company.
Now, if I know I’ve got a bunch of cookies due for a work or school event, I pre-make the batter ahead of time and freeze it until baking day. I do the same with several other side dishes and homemade baked goods like rolls, sauces, dips, and anything that’s freezer-worthy to keep my sanity stable and my spirits lifted. Not to mention making the clean-up a minimum.
Plan ahead. I guarantee less struggle and stress on those big days, and much more joy and peace. You deserve it too.

2. Bag It

I get it, some folks love wrapping presents and competing with Martha Stewart’s most beautifully wrapped gifts, but in my world, I just don’t have the time or patience. No matter how beautiful the paper, no matter how “simple” the task, I’ve found myself dedicating hours on end to wrapping presents in paper that’s destroyed in few seconds on gift-day.

No more.

I’ve found holiday bags to be just as much a gift to the recipient as it is a time and money saver for the giver. If the bag is sturdy, they might use it too, or offer it back to you for another future gift. Point is, those bags seem way more economical than the endless reels of wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, and tape. Save yourself. Save your giftee. Save the world (one gift at a time).

3. Cookie Swap

When I was growing up we used to have the most beautiful cookie trays around the holidays. Family and friends would comment on how much work and stress my mom must have put into baking so many varieties.

But I knew the truth. Mom participated in cookie swaps. Participants would prepare one dozen cookies for EACH person in on the swap - so if there were 10 “players”, participants would prepare 10 dozen of their favorite treat and come exchange day, each would walk out with 10+ dozen cookies of more variety and homemade taste than any store bought brands could provide.

Now, with my kiddos, I do the same, and sometimes even give away little packages as small gifts. The event builds community, holiday cheer, and saves your poor oven and baking dishes from spinning their wheels.

But if you gain a pound or two as a result, it’s not my fault…

4. Hire Out

The holidays can often bring out the best and worst in us. With all the cooking, cleaning, wrapping, shopping, and hanging up decorations - sometimes it just feels like too much.

When that happens, if your finances allow, don’t hesitate to call in for reinforcements.

Every year I gift myself the expense of hiring someone to deep clean my house. Why? Because I hate nothing more than having company over only to fret about all the little things I may have forgotten to do. I’ve already mentioned the holiday bagging, and shopping I’ll get to in just a minute, but hanging up or taking down outdoor decorations is another task you can hire someone to do. There are plenty of local helpers you can find through service apps like Thumbtack or TaskRabbit, so don’t hold back and get all the help you need to make these days extra special and easy!

5. Buy Experiences

My kids have plenty of toys and stuff, but one thing my husband and I have started to roll into their wish lists are experiences. Gift cards, tickets, or season passes to places and activities are usually appreciated way more than any plastic thing they’ll soon forget about.

We suggest family and friends contribute whenever they can to some experiences on our kids’ wish lists. So far, our kids have loved gifts like museum passes, swim lessons, ski lessons, pool passes, ropes courses, rock climbing dates, away camps, and trips to water parks all thanks to gifts they never had to open.

Think outside the box. Those memories can’t be duplicated, donated, or dumped. They can, however be fully lived…

6. Regift

Don’t be shy. We’ve all gotten “that gift” from a family member or friend that feels completely wrong for us.
What do you do *after* you send the forced thank you card though? Drop it off at the nearest consignment shop or pitch it? Truth is, you can always regift something if you know someone who might actually appreciate it. They wouldn’t know unless you told them or regifted a gift to the person who got it for you in the first place.
So go ahead. It’s the thought that counts. Pass it on!

7. Buy Online

I’m going to probably get some push back on this, but we’re all just trying to survive the holidays, right? Going from store to store just isn’t the way I want to spend my free time. Nor is scrambling to get the perfect gift or grocery item that can just as easily be delivered to my front door with less headaches and side glances.

Even if Amazon isn’t your jam or Instacart isn’t offered in your area, there are other, independent shops online and delivery service providers that would love your business. This season give yourself a break and do your shopping from the comfort of your bedroom, in your pjs, and maybe with a glass of wine nearby. It’ll be the best shopping experience you’ve ever had.

8. Get away

I used to think it was crazy to take a vacation away from family and friends during the holidays. Then I had a few kids and realized, it’s *exactly* what I’d like to do. Someday anyway.
If you have the means or would just like to try something new and exciting, take a trip. Visit an island. Go on an excursion. Do something that will make *this* holiday special and meaningful for *you*.
At the very least, you’ll have that one memory that stands out from all the rest.

9. Save for Next Year

One of the jokes I have with my sister is how she does her Black Friday shopping for this year’s holiday gifts, while I usually do my Black Friday shopping January 2nd for next year. I know, it sounds crazy, but hear me out. I like to have my holiday shopping and wrapping all finished come Halloween. It lets me sit back and actually enjoy the holidays.

I don’t freak out and rush to make any lists or barter with another shopper for that one thing I think my recipient can’t live without. I just roll in - or in my online shopping case, scroll through - and get the items I’ll need for next year at an even more reduced cost. Save those pennies, gals. You might need it on that vacation you’ve been fantasizing about…

10. Love Yourself

I used to count on my family and friends to get me all the gifts I’d ever want or need. I’d drop hints or give ideas when asked, and sometimes I’d get the thing or things, though sometimes not exactly. Now, at midlife, I’m over it. If there’s something I really want - like non-negotiable, specific item or piece that brings me joy - I gift it to myself. An outfit. A pair of shoes. A piece of art. And yes, even a piece of jewelry every now and then.

By midlife, you usually know your exact likes and dislikes better than anyone. Don’t wait for someone to “get you” or understand why it means so much. Stop. Love yourself. And give yourself the things or experiences that fill your tank so that you have the strength and compassion to give others - and maybe make it through the holiday season too.