14 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress

Ah, the joys of the holidays – prepping for and cleaning up after a dinner party for twenty, last-minute shopping, unexpected guests. If you're charged with hosting holiday festivities, the season is far from "merry and bright." But it can be. Here are some tips for making your gatherings simple and stress-free (well, almost).
1. Make a Game Plan. The key to reducing holiday-induced anxiety? Plan ahead.
Step 1: Map out your guest list. Make note of how many people will be at your holiday table and how many will be overnight guests.
Step 2: Plan your menu. Check with guests as they RSVP if they have any food allergies or prefer vegan or vegetarian options. You'll want to be prepared for the variety of appetites at your table, including the children.
Step 3: Take inventory. Make sure you have the essentials you will need to serve your holiday meal, both basics and serving pieces. If you are expecting a lot of guests, maximize your space by using serving dishes that have several levels to add height rather than width. If you're lacking table space, you may also want to consider folding tables to serve hors d'oeuvres or be the official kids table.

2. Take Action. Procrastination is so last year.
Step 1: Make a list, check it twice. Start jotting down your grocery list now. Many items that you'll need for the holidays will keep for weeks or even months in advance (stuffing mix, dried cranberries, candies, etc.). Every time you make a trip to the store between now and the holidays, pick up an item or two and store for the main event. It'll make your final big shopping trip that much easier -- and cheaper.
Step 2: Get prepped. Be your own sous chef and prep meals ahead of time. Peel and cut veggies (store in water so they don't go brown), defrost frozen items, measure out ingredients and store in Ziploc bags or containers so everything is nearly oven ready come cook time.
Step 3: Not a creature is stirring, except for your mouse. Nearly everything is available online these days, so instead of running yourself rampant all over town, curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea (or soothing hot toddy) and your laptop and check off a bulk of your list. Many grocery stores even deliver, and a few extra dollars in delivery fee might be worth your sanity come clinch time.

3. Time Saving Tips for the Holiday Chef. Cooking for twenty? Adding these new items to your holiday gear will not only save time, they will make your party planning and clean-up a breeze. And because who has time to trek all over town, these are all a one-stop shop at Bed Bath & Beyond.
* Don't go cold. Bake and serve warmers will keep your food warm (and look good while doing it), freeing up essential space on your stove.
* Do triple duty. A three-tier oven rack puts an end to waiting for one dish to cook before baking another. It creates more usable space on one side of your oven, leaving the other side open for more bulky food like the turkey, and it collapses for easy storage.
* No sticky situations here. Save hours in clean up time with a non-stick removable oven liner. This liner fits ovens up to 30 inches and can be trimmed for smaller ones. When finished cooking, simply wipe it down or throw it in the dishwasher.

4. Avoid the Last Minute Panic. Shocking final tip: The more prepared you are for the holidays, the less stressful they will be. Check these off your list for a final shot at ensuring a stress-free holiday.
* Have folding chairs on-hand for extra seating.
* Use chair covers to protect your dining chairs from stains.
* Don't cry over spilt wine. Accidents happen, but a microfiber tablecloth allows spills to bead up and wipe away cleanly and doesn't look or feel like a cheap throw-away paper version.
* Buy a packet of extra batteries -- no one wants to hear the cry of a child whose new toy won't work.
* Chances are you'll have an unexpected overnight guest at some point during the holidays. Keep an inflatable Aerobed on hand for such occasions. Don't forget the extra sheets and blankets.