Shopping, Food Preparation and Storage Ideas for the Holidays

Got a few weeks left before the holidays? Don’t panic! Here are some smart ideas on shopping and meal preparation for the holiday season.

Have you begun preparing for the holiday festivities? As you go over your numerous tasks, you are probably wondering how you can accomplish all of them in so short a time. The best way to manage your time is to plan ahead and to get extra help. Here are some neat ideas to make shopping, food preparation and storage a lot easier this holiday season.

Get a Part-time Helper

Bring along another person to help you shop for holiday items. A second pair of hands is a huge help when it comes to shopping and unloading. Give clear and precise instructions to your helper before sending her for an errand. Always ask her to double-check your list before leaving the store.

Use Stackable Containers

Are you running out of space in your refrigerator? Cover bowls and dishes of holiday party foods with a press-and-seal wrap. This special kind of wrap is so strong, you can stack containers on top of one another.

Rubbermaid 8-pc. Modular Food Canister Set: Prolong the shelf life of your favorite foods with this eight-piece canister set from Rubbermaid. These storage containers feature tight seals and a stackable design. They are dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe.

Invest in Good Ovenware

Bake and serve casseroles, side dishes and desserts in specialized oven ware. Doing so will help you save time, especially when guests suddenly appear at your door. Dishes placed in ovenware go straight from the refrigerator or freezer to the oven to the table. Oven wares come in festive holiday colors, too.

Rachael Ray Bubble and Brown Oval Baker Set - Purple (1.25 Qt. & 2.25 Qt.)

Plan on Leftovers

Make enough food for the actual party and for guests who may want to take home food. You can store dishes in individual microwavable containers. Sometimes the best meals are the ones made the next day with leftovers.

Natural Decorations for the Holidays

Adorn the house with natural Christmas decorations. They are cheap, fun to make, and eco-friendly.

Decorating for Christmas puts everyone in the mood of the holiday season. Each year, we purchase new decorations for our house or office, specifically for the Christmas tree. This year, why not go for natural Christmas decorations? Natural decorations refer to the real thing. Using nature to enhance the place is safe for the environment. When the holiday is over, these natural decorations can be easily disposed. There is no need to stash away decorations that are made of plastic and other synthetic material. (You keep the artificial Christmas tree, of course.)

Below are some natural Christmas decorations which you can make at home:

Wreaths and Garlands

Decorate banisters, mantles, and archways with natural garlands which you can purchase at nurseries or farmer’s markets. If you have holly bushes or evergreen bushes in your garden, you can make the garlands yourself. Use the remnants to create strings of garland. The little pieces can adorn candle displays and be used to create wreaths.

Berries on Your Christmas Tree

Do you grow berries in your garden? Berries can add color to your Christmas tree. String a few berries and alternate them with seeds. Brush the string with shellac to seal in the smells. You can do the beading with your kids.

Cookie Ornaments 

How about cookies made of dough and salt? Make Christmas shapes out of the dough and bake them. Because of the salt, these cookie ornaments would become rock hard. Once cooled, paint over them using non-toxic paint. Before baking the dough, punch a hole in each cookie so a ribbon or a string could be passed through it later.

Good read: A Christmas Cookie Book (Includes sixteen recipes for cookies, including Keeping Cookies for use as Christmas tree ornaments.)

Pine Cones

Pine cones are another popular Christmas décor. Apply glue to the bottom of the pine cone and make a place for the string to be attached. Hang the pine cones on the Christmas tree.

Choosing to use natural decorations for Christmas saves money and the environment. Come up with your own decorating ideas and involve the kids in making them.

Natural Air Fresheners for Your Home

Are you looking for ways to freshen the air in your house? Here are some ideas.

It is a fact that our homes have both good and not so pleasant smells. And no matter how we try to prevent the foul odor from joining the fresh air, it will always try to. Aerosol sprays and commercial air fresheners only mask the smells and even increase the level of toxicity in our home. Natural air fresheners are a better alternative because they do not contain harmful chemicals that may cause cancer and other illnesses. Here are five ways to naturally freshen the air at home:

Potpourri

Potpourris are sold everywhere and are more commonly used only during the holidays. The scent goes away too quickly though. Reuse the potpourri by mixing it with natural scents from fresh cinnamon or nutmeg. You can also use a few sprigs of fresh or dried mint. The mint adds fragrance and repels ants at the same time.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are natural non-toxic oils that come from plants. Because the scents are based in oil, they stay longer than water-based perfumes. To use as spritz, combine the oils with at least four parts of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on potpourri, garlands, wreaths, pinecones, artificial flowers, etc. Avoid spraying essential oils on furniture because the oil can leave a film.

Buy only essential oils that are made from the purest ingredients. Most health stores health stores carry good brands of essential oils.

Fruits

How about a fruit wreath? Make thin slices of orange, apple, and lemon. Dry the fruits on a cookie sheet. Arrange them into a wreath and hold them on a wooden framework or through thin wire. Cover the fruit slices with shellac to preserve them. This fruit wreath may last for several weeks and can be hung on any door.

Herbs and Flowers

Combine your favorite herbs and flowers to create a dried bowl of fresh scents. Place these arrangements in a shallow wooden bowl or a glass bowl to make them more visible. Add in some natural wooden filler which you can get at most craft stores. Fresh dried herbs like mint, rosemary, or thyme are commonly used for these arrangements.

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles give off a honey flavored scent that burns clean with no mess. Beeswax candles can be purchased in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose beeswax candles that contain natural color.