It’s Time To Get Organized… Now that Halloween is behind us, it’s time to pack away those spooky decorations, think ahead to the next big celebrations, and plan and prepare for the holidays! Getting organized now will make the upcoming season more enjoyable without that frantic feeling of trying to do it all. Our 10 weeks to Christmas post is a helpful resource for getting organized. We break down tasks into a manageable weekly schedule. We’re also giving you tips and strategies every week to make a stress-free season feasible. Start by making a list of everything you want to accomplish this holiday season – keep it realistic. Identify key dates and add them to your calendar: annual events, holiday parties, performances, family/school/work functions, neighborhood get-togethers, volunteer activities, and of course, any holiday hosting you’ll be doing. Planning ahead now will save you stress later! Think about your decorating plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Do you need new decor, or will you be using your favorites from past years? We have some easy tips for transitioning from fall to festive decorating. Next week we will show you how to transform your garlands in minutes! It’s also the perfect time to review our Hosting Must-Haves list and start preparing for holiday gifting—identifying who you’ll be shopping for and any special gifts you might need. In the upcoming weeks, we’ll share guides for DIY hostess gifts, creative wrapping ideas, stocking stuffer inspiration, holiday baking recipes (like this easy holiday baking guide from Martha Stewart), and our very own Random Acts of Kindness Challenge! This is truly our favorite time of year! Now is the time to plan and prepare for the holidays. Follow our guides, and you’ll be less stressed and able to enjoy the magic of the season.
Entertaining
Simplify Halloween…
A Make-Ahead DIY Chili Bar Halloween is all about fun, costumes, and candy, but that doesn’t mean dinner has to be complicated! This year, keep things easy and festive with a make-ahead DIY chili bar. It’s a simple way to feed your crowd so you can actually relax and enjoy the night, too. Simplify Halloween this year! We love making our Autumn Harvest Chili—it’s a hearty ground turkey chili with a secret ingredient that gives it a seasonal twist: pumpkin! Toss everything in the crockpot ahead of time, and let it simmer while you get ready for the trick-or-treaters. When you’re ready to serve, set up a toppings bar with all the essentials: shredded cheese, avocado, green onions, sour cream, salsa, crispy onions, Fritos, red onions, tortilla chips, and even some cornbread if you’re feeling ambitious (but it’s definitely optional). Everyone can customize their bowl just the way they like it! Pair it with apple cider for the younger ghosts and a good fall beer (our favorite is Sam Adams Oktoberfest) for the adult witches and warlocks, and you’ve got yourself the perfect Halloween spread. We also set out a basket filled with cellophane bags of caramel corn sealed with our adorable Halloween label for an easy sweet treat. Remember to keep it simple, enjoy the festivities, and don’t forget to take plenty of pictures of your little goblins! 🎃