How to Host a Low-Stress Girls’ Night After the Holidays After weeks of holiday chaos, it’s time to unwind and recharge. What better way to do that than with a no-fuss, no-frills Girls’ Night? Keep it simple, cozy, and fun—think jeans, jammies, and lots of laughter. Here’s our perfect formula for a Girls’ Night In: No Dress Code: Invite your friends to come as they are—comfy jeans or cozy pajamas. No glitz, just fun! Simple Eats: I love making our Shookhill Spanakopita. We have provided this simple to make recipe below. It’s easy, delicious, and pairs beautifully with a good bottle (or two) of wine. Don’t stress about the rest—order takeout and let someone else handle the cooking. A Little Self-Care: Set out Grace & Stella eye patches for everyone to relax while swapping holiday stories and catching up. It’s the perfect mix of fun and self-care. Favorite Things Gift Exchange: Add a little extra joy with a “favorite things” swap. Each person brings a simple, inexpensive favorite gift to share. Only do this if it doesn’t add any stress for you and your group. This is not meant to add post-holiday stress. If you have a group of friends that don’t exchange holiday gifts, this is a great option. We have a small group that started this tradition years ago. We look forward to our Favorite Things exchange every year. Some of our favorite gifts have been – Diva Wash, Maldon Salt, a portable charger with built-in cables, and an immersion blender. This year the gift is a wrapped Amaryllis bulb and attaching a little surprise treat (shhhhh….). A no-fuss, no-frills, low-stress girls’ night is the ideal way to decompress after the holidays. It’s easy, thoughtful, and a great way to catch up with your friends. So, pour the wine, enjoy a piece of spanakopita, and make this week about relaxing, recharging, and sharing laughs with your friends.
Entertaining
How to Start the New Year Right: Post-Holiday Organization Tips…
The first week after the holidays is the perfect time to set the tone for the upcoming year. While it’s tempting to hastily toss holiday decorations into storage, we’ve found that a little extra care now can save you a lot of time and effort next season. See how to start the new year off right with our best post-holiday organization tips. Here’s our top tip: Take photos of your decorations before you pack them away. These snapshots serve as a guide for next year and ensure you remember what worked well. Pack decorations in room-specific storage boxes labeled by space (kitchen, living room, guest bathroom etc.) and include notes or suggestions for improvement. To take it up a notch, create planning sheets for each room. Use card stock for durability, slide them into page protectors, and attach them to the underside of the box for easy reference. Don’t forget to remove sticky residue from command hooks and store the cleaned hooks in a small baggie inside the box. For bows, stuff them with recycled tissue paper to maintain their shape. Organizing this way makes next year’s decorating a breeze. It’s also a system that allows you to delegate setup with ease, as everything is well-documented. While you’re tidying up, embrace the opportunity to set new goals, plan potential travel, and enjoy some winter activities—whether that’s ice skating, skiing, or a peaceful winter walk. Pair these moments with simple, healthy meals like light winter salads to recharge after the holiday indulgence. For a thoughtful touch, send kids back to school with little surprises like a note in their lunchbox, a dorm delivery of cookies, or a restaurant gift card tucked into a sweet card. These small acts of kindness help everyone start the new year with a smile. Follow our post-holiday organization tips to start the New Year off right. With a little extra effort, organization, and a touch of creativity, you can embrace the beauty of a fresh start, and be ready for a wonderful New Year.
