Family * Travel * Food

4 Practical Tips For Reducing Stress During The Holidays

The holidays are the time of year when families and friends are supposed to come together and rejoice in the season. It’s a time when lights are glittering, and carolers bring joy through song. However, for many the holidays are a source of stress. Trying to juggle responsibilities like work and relationships while also trying to do last minute shopping, attend parties, and decorate can put people into overload and cause a lot of stress. 

It is important to take the holidays back by finding ways to not stress about them so you can actually enjoy what they are all about. To get it right takes planning, prioritizing, maintaining personal wellness, and embracing the core essence of the holiday season. In this article, we will go over several practical tips to help you enjoy the holidays like you did when you were a kid. 

1 - Start by outsourcing

The first step in being able to enjoy the holidays is to admit to yourself that one person cannot do everything alone. It takes a team to be able to get through the obligations that come with the season. 

This is where the concept of hiring help for the holiday season comes into play.

Delegating tasks can be a game changer. Instead of juggling multiple responsibilities, you can hire professionals to take care of tasks such as shopping, gift wrapping, cleaning, cooking, and even paying for professional Christmas light installation

When you have people doing these tasks for you, it frees up your time to handle your social obligations and spend time doing the things you enjoy. This is what the season is about, after all.

2 - Prioritize and plan

Holiday stress often comes from feeling overwhelmed with the number of tasks to complete and the lack of time to get them done. If you prioritize these tasks and plan them out, then this can make it feel a lot less stressful. 

The first step is to list down everything that you need to do during the holiday season. This includes shopping for gifts, preparing meals, decorating the house, sending cards, and attending events.

Once you have a list you need to prioritize the order that the items should be done. Create categories for each task and then label them according to their urgency. 

Once you've prioritized your tasks, it's time to slot them into your schedule. Break down larger tasks into manageable chunks and distribute them across your available time. Do not anything until the last minute, which can cause panic and stress.

3 - Focus on what matters

The holiday season is about more than just the perfect meal or the most beautiful decorations. It's about spending quality time with loved ones, creating warm memories, and celebrating the year that's passed. 

When you start to feel burned out from standing in long lines at the mall, or attending a work holiday party after a long day, then it is time to take a step back. Make it a point to do something with your family or friends that brings joy like having a meal together, or even just going for a sled ride through the snow. 

Taking this step back will give you some breathing room and remind you that the season is not about stress but about the joy that comes from making time for your loved ones. 

Rather than spending your time in lines, go work at a soup kitchen for a day to give back to those in need. This will help you put everything into perspective and recharge your batteries by helping you feel thankful for what you have. 

4 - Take care of yourself

Balancing personal wellness with festive obligations might seem challenging, but it's key to enjoying the holiday season to the fullest. The holiday season can be a rollercoaster of emotions. Recognize and acknowledge your feelings. It's okay not to feel joyful all the time. 

When you start feeling like you are going through the motions, it’s time to schedule some time to do something for yourself. It sounds more difficult than it really is. For instance, if you are buying some skin care products as a gift, get them at a day spa and treat yourself to a 30 minute massage while there. 

It's okay to prioritize your wellness over trying to meet everyone else's holiday expectations. Remember, it's the experiences and memories that matter, not making sure to get the perfect gift for everybody on your list.

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Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes from The Mixer

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to spend quality time with your loved ones, enjoying tasty food and family traditions. When you’ve gone to the trouble of cooking up a feast, you’ll want delicious drinks to match. 

The best thanksgiving cocktails are easy to serve when hosting a crowd. The kitchen gets busy, so choose drinks that suit your time frame. Also, serve cocktails that pair well with your Thanksgiving menu. Here is our ultimate pick of incredible drinks to serve this holiday season without going into a complete tailspin on Turkey Day!



Kir Royale


This French Champagne cocktail (aka Kir Royale) is a New York City favorite and an incredibly simple cocktail to master. You’ll wonder why you’ve waited all this time to try one! 


Ingredients (per person)


  • 0.5 Oz blackcurrant liqueur

  • 6 Oz Champagne


Method


  1. Pour creme de cassis in a champagne glass

  2. Top with Champagne and serve!



Apple Butter Old Fashioned

An Apple Butter Old Fashioned cocktail is packed with the inviting flavors of warm apple pie. Made with real apple butter (just like mama used to make), this fall Old Fashioned drink is perfect as an indulgent drink with your bourbon-loving friends. For this recipe, you’ll be making your own apple butter. Don’t worry, it’s super simple to make because YOLO! And it’s downright delicious. If you have leftovers, you can add it to cheese platters, use it as a glaze for that roast beef dinner or dollop it onto pancakes. Yum!


Hot tip: “Contrary to what the name suggests, apple butter does not contain any butter. It’s basically just a fancy name for apples that have been pureed, spiced and cooked down to give them a butter-like texture. It is easy to make and store in your fridge. Use it in cocktails, to spread on toast, as a glaze on meat or add it to your morning oats.” (Helena Lombard, The Mixer)


Ingredients (per person)


  • 0.5 Oz of Apple cider 

  • 0.5 Oz of Wild Turkey Bourbon

  • 2 tablespoon of apple butter 

  • Dash of orange bitters 

  • Juice of half a lemon 

  • Ginger beer (to top your glass) 

  • Coarse cinnamon sugar and simple syrup, for rimming 

  • Thinly sliced apples and a cinnamon stick, to garnish

 

Instructions


  1. Pour some simple syrup on a plate and some coarse cinnamon sugar on another

  2. Dip the rim of your cocktail glass into the syrup and then into the sugar, twisting to coat, before adding ice cubes to the glass 

  3. Combine the apple cider, apple butter, Wild Turkey, lemon juice and bitters in a cocktail shaker and give it a dry shake (in other words, a shake without ice) 

  4. Shake vigorously until properly combined then strain into your prepared cocktail glass

  5. Top up with ginger beer and garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice on the rim to serve


Hot Toddy


Looking for warming thanksgiving drinks that are easy to make? A Hot Toddy is an ideal drink as you can let the crockpot do all the work - another thing you can tick off the to-do list!


Ingredients (per person)


  • 2 Oz Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey

  • 0.25 Oz Fresh lemon juice

  • 2 Teaspoons brown sugar

  • 5 Cloves

  • Sliced lemon

  • Boiling water  


Method


  1. Take a slice of lemon, press the cloves into the lemon round and set aside 

  2. Boil water and fill a mug to the three-quarter mark

  3. Pour in the whiskey and lemon juice and stir in the sugar until dissolved

  4. Add the clove-studded lemon wheel and allow to infuse

  5. Serve in a warmed mug



Mexican Coffee Cocktail


Also known as a Carajillo, this is a classic coffee cocktail that you can make with just a few ingredients. The tequila gives this coffee a decent kick, and the coffee liqueur balances out the flavor and adds sweetness.  


Ingredients (per person)


  • 1.5 Oz Espolòn Tequila Reposado

  • 1 Oz coffee liqueur

  • 5 Oz freshly brewed coffee

  • 2 tablespoons whipping cream (optional)

  • a dusting of cocoa powder, cinnamon or cayenne pepper (optional)


Method


  1. Pour the tequila and coffee liqueur into a mug

  2. Top up with freshly brewed coffee

  3. Garnish with whipped cream and dusting of your choice, if you want



Bourbon Apple Cider


This spiced cocktail is exactly what you need to warm up your guests on a cold night. This is a full-flavor cocktail, and the sourness of the lemon balances beautifully with the sweet notes of caramel, vanilla and apple.


Ingredients (per person)


  • 0.5 Oz of Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey 

  • 0.5 Oz of apple cider 

  • 0.5 Oz of Cinzano Vermouth Rosso 

  • 0.5 Oz of lemon juice 

  • 0.5 Oz of orange bitters 

  • Apple slices to garnish 

  • A sprig of thyme to garnish 

  • Ice

 

Method


  1. Add ice to a large mixing glass or cocktail shaker

  2. Pour in the bourbon, cider, sweet vermouth, lemon juice and bitters

  3. Stir until chilled (about 30 seconds)

  4. Strain into any cocktail glass of your choice

  5. Garnish with a few apple slices and a sprig of thyme

 

Hot Pumpkin Pie Cocktail


If you love the taste of a pumpkin spice latte, then choose this cocktail as the star of your Thanksgiving feast this year. Serve your Hot Pumpkin Pie cocktails in warmed mugs, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon. As an extra treat, you can serve baked pumpkin pie crusts on the side for some decadent dipping.


Hot tip: “Make pumpkin-infused vodka by mixing together pumpkin puree and spice, with ½ cup of vodka in a large jar. Seal and keep in the fridge for three days before using, shaking it a few times a day.” (Helena Lombard, The Mixer)


Ingredients (for 6 people)


  • 2 cups of Irish cream 

  • ½ a cup vanilla or pumpkin pie vodka 

  • 4 cups of milk 

  • 0.67

  • 1 can of pumpkin puree 

  • 1.5 teaspoons of pumpkin spice 

  • Whipped cream 

  • Cinnamon 

  • Strips of baked pumpkin pie crust to garnish, optional

 

Method


  1. Add the Irish cream, vodka, and milk to a pot  

  2. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat to a slow simmer

  3. Stir through pumpkin puree and spices until mixed through 

  4. Ladle into warmed glass mugs

  5. Dollop over some whipped cream

  6. Dust with cinnamon

  7. Serve with baked pumpkin pie crusts for dipping

 

Visit www.themixer.com for more cocktail inspiration.


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Hallmark Channel Original Premiere of "Christmas in Harmony" on Friday, Oct 29th at 8pm/7c! #CountdowntoChristmas

Can you believe that we are in the last couple months of 2021? The holiday season is nearing, and many of us are making plans to attend parties, decorate our homes, and of course, do some baking. Every year we make it a family affair to decorate our house inside and out. It's so much fun coming across those ornaments the kids made when they were in elementary school. We also start prepping and packing for our annual family beach trip. We started that tradition 4 years ago, and always look forward to that family time. It's such a great way to unwind and reconnect at the end of the year. 


Today's post is sponsored by Hallmark Channel

Another tradition that is a must during the holiday season is watching Hallmark Movies with my daughters. We try to catch every new movie, and this year there are 41 ALL NEW original movies premiering on Hallmark Channel and on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. We grab our snacks, drinks and set up our very own watch parties right at home. 


We are extra excited for the  Hallmark Channel movie premiere, "Christmas in Harmony" on Friday, Oct. 29th at 8pm/7c. Christmas in Harmony Stars: Ashleigh Murray, Luke James, Loretta Devine, Michelle Williams, and Basil Wallace. We will be live tweeting, so please join us! Check out the trailer below. 

Harmony is tricked into auditioning for the Holiday Chorus - directed by an ex-boyfriend. By Christmas Eve, they could be harmonizing in the key of love. You have to tune in to find out! 


If you love all-things-Hallmark Channel, be sure to check out: 
We have some great news for our readers. We have partnered with Hallmark Channel to offer a fun giveaway for one lucky winner! The "Holiday Happiness" Package includes:

(1) Hallmark Channel Gift Wrap Package
(1) Hallmark Channel Wines digital gift card
(1) Holiday tea tin from Republic of Teas

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and ends on November 10, 2021. Must follow rules in Rafflecopter. One winner will be chosen randomly. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!
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Why We Love Shopping Sam's Club During The Holiday Season

Can you believe that 2020 is almost over? Despite this year being so different in regards to the pandemic, I try to keep things as normal as I can in our household. With the holiday season here and in full swing, I make sure I keep treats and goodies available for my family to snack on in between work and school meetings. My favorite place to shop each month is Sam's Club. 
Today's conversation is sponsored. All opinions are 100% my own as always. 

I love the fact that you can buy food and household items in bulk sizes which means you won't run out too quickly. When you have a family of 5, it's easy to run low on those staple items. Having all of us home so much means I need more items on hand and all of the savings I can get! Aside from the everyday items, we love browsing the aisles of Sam's Club for limited edition products, as well as seasonal goods. 

Sam's Club carries such an amazing variety of ready-to-give holiday gifts. It's my go-to place to buy wine and treats to give my neighbors every Christmas. The prices are unbeatable, and the variety makes it easy to find something for just about anyone on your shopping list. 


This year I am hoping to snag a few deals on small appliances and some new kitchen gadgets. I have been slowly replacing and upgrading some of my small appliances, so I stalk my Sam's Club app for the latest sales and promotions. I definitely take advantage of those Sam's Club Coupons to get even mores savings. 

Don't forget that Sam's Club also carries electronics, jewelry, dishware, clothing, gift cards and so much more. You will be able to mark off so many items from your holiday shopping list in no time, without breaking the bank. Make sure you check out Slickdeals as a resource for coupons, and to save money on your purchases. 

Do you shop at Sam's Club? What are you must-have items you buy each time you go? 
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Get Your Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Done With Ease At BI-LO

This is a sponsored post in partnership with BI-LO. All opinions are my own.

In case you haven't realized it, we are in the final days leading up to the winter holidays. It feels like it was December 1st yesterday. If you still haven't done any shopping or need to grab some last-minute items, be sure to stop by your local BI-LO for some great deals on everything you need. Whether it's a party tray for the office potluck, or gift wrapping supplies, BI-LO has you covered with their amazing sale prices. I was browsing around and found so many goodies! Check out some of my finds.


Flowers or plants are always a great last-minute gift for co-workers, neighbors, teachers, or for the hostess with the mostest!


Check out these BI-LO Holiday Deals: 

Stay Healthy + Receive a FREE Ham


The flu has been on the rise recently and no one wants to be sick during the holidays. From now until Dec. 24, all BI-LO pharmacy customers can receive a FREE Smithfield Butt or Shank Portion Ham when they receive a no-cost* flu shot at any in-store pharmacy. *With most insurance plans. See pharmacy for details.

Need a Quick Meal? Deli Meal Deals may be the Solution!





BI-LO has Great deals on convenient deli party platters, dips and spreads, grab-and-go entrees and sides, fresh salads and more!


Gift Cards & Last-Minute Gifts



Get the gift that keeps on giving with THREE TIMES the BI-LO Reward points when you by gift cards for your friends and loved ones…and maybe even yourself!
Exclusions:  All BI-LO gift cards, Visa cards, Mastercards, American Express cards, reloadable cards and prepaid debit cards.

BI-LO also has great deals on last-minute gifts including the Garth Brooks Legacy Collection that includes 7 Vinyl LPs & 7 CDs and was just reduced in price today to $39.99! This would be a great gift for your favorite country music fan.

BI-LO also has great stocking stuffers, holiday bouquets and much more for everyone on your holiday shopping list.








Giving Opportunity

Looking to give back and make a difference to those in need? Now through Dec. 24, BI-LO is inviting customers to “Give A Little, Feed A Lot” to fight hunger in our communities by purchasing a $5 prepared bag of non-perishable food items or by rounding up grocery totals at BI-LO store registers. Each donation and $5 holiday bag purchased will be distributed directly to member food banks in the Feeding America® network.

Holiday Hours for Last Minute Gifters

If you need a last minute gift or ingredient for your favorite dish, BI-LO will be open for modified hours on Christmas Eve!

  • Christmas Eve/Day: All BI-LO stores and liquor stores will open at their normal hours until 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Christmas Day. In-store pharmacies will close at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve and remain closed during the Christmas holiday. 
  • New Year’s Eve/Day: To celebrate the New Year, all BI-LO stores and liquor stores will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day at their normal hours and will close at 10 p.m. (or regular close of business, if earlier). In-store pharmacies will close at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and will reopen from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on New Year’s Day
I think many people sleep on the idea of last-minute holiday shopping at the grocery store. There are so many great grab-and-go options. Of course it doesn't hurt to rack up those BI-LO Reward points. Find a BI-LO near you. Thank you so much for stopping by today. Happy Holidays to you all!
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Tips for Decorating This Christmas Season

As the year comes to a close, many people start focusing on the holidays. While it can be a beautiful season, you may also find yourself stressing to get everything done on a limited schedule. One area that tends to frustrate people is decorating. Though it can be fun to invest in decor and display it around your residence, you also need to come up with a plan so you don’t feel like you’re annoyed as you attempt to deck the halls with boughs of holly.

If you need advice on how to improve your decorating process, now is the perfect time to look for help. Explore these tips and see what you can do to get more out of your attempts at decorating.


Start Small

Decorating in some neighborhoods can become something of a healthy competition. One home will put up an elaborate display and other homeowners will try to outdo their neighbors each year. While this can be a fun way to go about creating a beautiful wonderland on your lawn, it can also be a huge point of frustration for you and your family. Instead of opting for a big, complicated display, try to scale back and see what you can accomplish on a smaller scale.

Minimalist decorations are quite popular nowadays. A few strategically placed decorations can create more of a cozy sense of winter magic than a garish display of bright lights and singing Santa Claus inflatables. Sit down before you start putting up and decorations and formulate a plan on how to go about making your home more festive for the holidays. The simpler the plan, the easier it will be for you to get through these tasks without feeling overwhelmed by how much you need to finish.

Artificial Options

Another area where it can be easy to feel stress while decorating is with your Christmas tree. Though you may feel like a natural tree is the best way to go, it can also be a lot of work. Putting up a real tree in your home means you need to go buy one, haul it to your house, put it up, decorate it, and then tend to it in the weeks before and after the holiday. If you want an easier option, then it can be helpful to consider buying an artificial tree from a seller like Balsam Hill.

Balsam Hill trees may be artificial, but they perfectly capture the real deal. Selecting an artificial tree gives you more control over the size and style of your tree, allowing you to maximize the space in your home and find an option that fits perfectly. Decorating an artificial tree is also a lot easier, as you do not need to worry about damaging the branches while hanging your ornaments. Best of all, you don’t need to worry about watering the tree or any of the mess that comes along with caring for a larger living plant.


Make Memories

You may also want to think about making your decorations at home this year. This can be especially fun if you have little ones in the house. Set a night of the week aside for your family to make some decorations together. You’ll be able to create some beautiful wreaths, garlands, and ornaments for the season and make lasting memories all the while. Your little ones will be able to look back on these years with fondness when they remember how much fun it was to make decorations with their parents.

Stressing out about the holidays is an easy way to ruin your season. Find a better way to decorate by opting for simpler solutions and see how much of a difference it can make to your experience.
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What to Give Your Children for Christmas


It is not surprising that children get really excited about the prospect of waking up to find a load of presents neatly arranged under the Christmas tree and the big question you need to find the answer to is what gift items will you be wrapping for your children?

Your child’s tastes and preferences will often change from one year to the next and choosing gifts for 12-year-old boys, for example, will most likely prove to a different buying experience compared to buying for a girl of the same age.

There are also some other Christmas gift options to consider that won’t break the bank, so here are some suggestions to help you decide.
Photo by Mel Poole on Unsplash
Go for quality over quantity

It is worth remembering that kids can almost get overloaded with presents these days as they seem to get so many gifts compared to some previous generations.

You might find yourself struggling to find what could be classed as the perfect gift for your child and that could lead you to overspend and buy too many presents in your quest to get them exactly what they want.

Some parents like to follow a formula known as the 4 gift rule to help ensure that they buy certain items that fall into a category rather than randomly buying an assortment of things you think they will like.

The 4 gift rule is simple to follow and involves buying something they want, something they need, an item to wear, and something to read.
Photo by Євгенія Височина on Unsplash
It’s not all about money

You don’t have to spend fortunes on your kids to give them some nice Christmas gifts they will love and taking this route with some or all of your gift options will help teach your kids some valuable lessons at the same time.

If it is cold where you are you could maybe hire some ice skates or get a used pair from a thrift shop and give them the gift of spending some time skating with them and just hanging out together.

The gift of time shouldn’t be underestimated and those magical memories created when you do something fun together are priceless.

Be guided by their age

When you do want to put some presents under the tree it can be a real challenge to find a gift that is appropriate for their age and stage of development.

Teenagers are notoriously difficult to buy for and that is why the default option often tends to be a gift card, which is a bit boring and unimaginative.

A practical gift for a teen could be an external power station external battery, for example, as many kids of this age seem to manage to drain the battery in their smartphone at an alarming speed.

Another age example would be a ten-year-old child, who is often somewhere in between being a kid who still loves playing with toys and becoming a tween with more of a focus on more grown-up gifts.

Think about what gift would be appropriate for their age and then consider if that is where they are at with their development so you can adjust your choice of potential Christmas gifts accordingly.

Start planning for Christmas as early as possible and it should give you enough time to work out what the perfect gift would be for your child.

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