During this holiday season, I wanted to offer some great stress-free ideas for your holiday planning, entertaining and decorating. Let’s get started:
1.  Make a list – I am a big list maker; I don’t know how anyone can function without one. If you have an iPhone, you can create a list within the Reminder App, click here for an explanation on how this app works. If you have an Android you can download Google Keep, which is a free app to help manage your lists, click here for information on that app.
2.  Always have a hostess gift on hand. An easy choice is a bottle of wine or a very good sparkling cider. For a lovely way to wrap up a bottle that you can do yourself and make a lovely display, click here.
3.  Stressed out over wrapping and bow making? Click here  for instructions on how to make a simple bow for a gift. If you would like different bow making ideas, click here for many ideas and instructions from Pinterest.
4.  Stressed out over ideas for the grandparents? Here are four ideas that are easy, clever and fun to get the kids involved:
5.  Looking for ideas on how to decorate your dining table? I put together an Idea Board on Houzz that has some beautiful ideas, not difficult that you can pull together based on what you like, and the color theme that you choose for your get together.  Click here to view that board.
6. Â Ways to reduce your stress when you entertain:
- Cook ahead whenever you can.
- Stock up on nibbles for the pantry with cookies and crackers. Be sure to have some gluten-free options on hand to satisfy all guests (and mark accordingly).
- Be sure to have the basic drinks, coffee both caffeinated and non-caffeinated on hand along with mixers and non-alcoholic options. Purchase some herbal tea for infused water, such as these great ideas from Teavana. I have noticed many herbal infused water options at the grocery store where you can add sliced strawberries or whole raspberries to add beautiful holiday color.
- Outsource help – when people offer to bring something, take them up on it and give them a suggestion as to what you really need. Or rely on your local good grocery or specialty market. Keep in mind it’s the act of getting together, sharing memories and laughter that is what is important over the holiday.
7.  Stressed out about making cookies? Instead of making 10 different types of cookies, master one recipe that can be used multiple ways. This is a fabulous idea from Martha Stewart, click here for her Basic Sugar Cookie Dough recipe where you can make four different types of cookies! What a great idea!
If you feel yourself getting stressed, take a moment for yourself, a few deep breaths, perhaps a glass of wine and enjoy your holiday!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at www.RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.