Whoever came up with the idea to celebrate Thanksgiving and the December holidays so close together should be raked across hot coals—or at least  forced to babysit my kids while I prep for the holidays.   I barely have enough time to get the cranberry sauce out of my hair before it’s time to hunker down and get ready for December.   

Don’t get me wrong, the holidays are truly my favorite time of year.  I love seeing the kids excited for family celebrations and getting to indulge into a steamy hot cocoa and other seasonal treats.  (Though what’s up with eggnog? I still don’t get eggnog. ).  But holidays are also the busiest time of year.  So while I haven’t mastered prepping for the holidays without losing my sanity, I have learned 4 things NOT to do. 

1. DON’T try out too many new recipes at once

If you’re already under stress from getting all the last minute details done, don’t add trying out a set of brand new recipe to the list.  Unless you just won a cooking contest, it’s ok to stick with your tried and true favorites (or your tried and true cans.)  Sometimes it’s these favorites that become the holiday traditions for your kids. 

2. DON’T leave Cleaning to the last minute

If you’re like me, cleaning gets relegated to the bottom of the to-do list beneath “dental surgery” and “taking my kids to get dental surgery.”  But trust me, waiting til the last moment to get the house “guest-ready” is not a good idea.   You don’t want to be that host who leaves guests on the doorstep because you’re sprinting to tidy up before opening the door.  I know this because I’ve sweatily greeted guests 5 minutes after they’ve rung the doorbell repeatedly with, "Oh sorry, I didn’t hear the doorbell ring.  No, really, I’ll hang up your coat for you.  Don’t open that closet door. No, I insist.  I said DO NOT OPEN the closet door!” At a minimum, give your place a quick wipe down with disinfecting wipes to give some semblance of basic cleaning.

3. DON’T Clean the Oven

You heard me.   If you’ve ever needed it, you’ve just gotten permission to step away from the appliance and let it be.  Why? Because assuming you’re using the self-clean cycle, that cycle can actually be quite taxing on the oven which means it could fail right as you’re sticking in the Thanksgiving turkey.  Instead, wait til after your big meal before tackling the oven cleaning. 

4. DON’T Get Too Caught Up in the Hustle and Bustle

Relax.  Easier said than done, right?  Maybe.  But isn’t it worth a shot?  Amidst all the cleaning, stuffing various vegetables inside turkey carcasses and shopping for gifts, Mom just needs a glass of wine.  And a yoga class.  And a pedicure.  And a nanny.   But remember, you can be an incredible mom, chef, home organizer and savvy shopper.  You just don’t have to be all of these in a single day. 

What are your tips for prepping for the holidays?   Share your tip in the comments section of the blog and one lucky commenter will be randomly selected to win a $100 Visa® gift card. Think of all the holiday stress you can beat with that! 

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