Happy November, friends! Can you believe we’re just weeks away from diving headfirst into the holiday season? This year has flown by, and it’s already time to prepare for the most wonderful (and hectic) time of the year!
Today, I’m thrilled to join my friends Jennifer from Dimples & Tangles, Pam from Simple Details, and Kris from Driven By Decor for our monthly roundup. This month, we’re also excited to welcome Christy and Amy from 11 Magnolia Lane as guest hosts! These two are such inspiring bloggers—down-to-earth, fun to follow, and always sharing fabulous DIY projects and décor ideas.
Take a moment to check out Amy’s charming fall home tour and Christy’s stunning summer home tour for a dose of inspiration. We’re so excited to have them on board for this month’s theme:
Tips to Tame the Holiday Crazy!
For me, it all comes down to preparation. If there’s one golden rule to keep your holidays stress-free, it’s this: tackle those holiday to-dos early, so you can relax and truly savor the time with your loved ones. Here are my favorite tried-and-true strategies to keep the holiday madness at bay:
1. Plan What Food You’re Going to Make During the Holidays
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus with Wasabi Dipping Sauce
Avoid the last-minute panic of deciding what dish to bring just hours before heading to a party by planning ahead. Take some time now to browse through your favorite recipes and create a short list of simple appetizers and desserts you can whip up quickly. Save the more elaborate dishes for a less hectic time.
One idea that’s always a hit? Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Wasabi Dipping Sauce—a combination that’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious. This kind of effortless recipe can save the day when you’re pressed for time and still want to impress.
Gathering inspiration in advance is key to taming the holiday chaos. Consider dedicating a Pinterest board to holiday recipes you’d like to try. This way, when the busy season is in full swing, you’ll have a curated list of ideas at your fingertips.
To get you started, here’s a list of quick, crowd-pleasing appetizers that have become staples in my holiday entertaining. Trust me, some of these—like the jalapeño popper dip—are so popular, they’re practically requested by name!
- Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart @ Food & Wine
- Baked Onion Dip @ Food.com
- Barefoot Contessa’s Crab Cakes @ Food Network
- Beef Taquitos @ Family Fun
- Cheesy Zucchini and Red Onion Flatbread @ SYL
- Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps @ Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
- Double Cheese and Prosciutto Calzone @ Epicurious
- Feta Cheese Squares @ Southern Living
- Jalapeno Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms @ Evil Shenanigans
- Jalapeno Popper Dip @ Annie’s Eats
- Prosciutto Wrapped Appetizer Ideas (Shrimp/Asparagus/Pear/Avocado) @ SYL
- Roast Beef with Rosemary Mayo @ Epicurious
- Round Layered Party Sandwich @ Fabulous Foods
- Salsa Baked Goat Cheese @ Epicurious
- Sausage Cheese Cups @ Allrecipes
- White Bean Dip @ SYL
Looking for sweet treats that won’t require a long shopping list or hours in the kitchen? Check out my My Five Favorites post for tried-and-true holiday desserts. These recipes are guaranteed to bring a little extra joy to your celebrations—without a lot of stress.
2. Plan Your Dishes, Platters, Napkins, and Serving Pieces in Advance
One of the best ways to reduce holiday stress is to prepare your entertaining essentials ahead of time. Trust me, a little planning goes a long way when it comes to hosting a seamless gathering!
This clever trick is something I learned from my sister-in-law Debbie early in my marriage, and it has been a game-changer ever since. If you’re hosting a holiday meal, start by finalizing your menu. Once that’s set, take inventory of your serving pieces, dishes, and other essentials. Assign specific items to each dish and make note of anything you might need to borrow or purchase, such as extra plates, flatware, or glassware.
Debbie and I are lucky enough to own matching white plate sets, which we’ve been swapping back and forth for holiday meals for years. However, as our gatherings have grown, I’ve also invested in a few additional sets of plates and serving pieces, which I keep stored in my basement specifically for large groups. Having these extras on hand has saved me countless times!
Here’s a little trick to make serving your holiday meal even easier: Once you’ve assigned a platter or bowl to each dish, label them with sticky notes. For example, you can place a note on a large tray that says “appetizers” or on a bowl labeled “mashed potatoes.” This simple step makes it easy for you (and any helpers) to grab the right item at the right time without searching through cabinets or drawers in the middle of cooking.
When the oven timer goes off, or it’s time to serve dinner, you’ll appreciate the convenience of having everything laid out and ready to go. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference in keeping things stress-free and running smoothly.
3. Pull Out Your Special Pieces (and Clean Them)
Why keep cherished family treasures tucked away in a cabinet when they could add a touch of elegance and sentiment to your holiday table? Whether it’s heirloom china, passed-down silverware, or vintage serving pieces from your mom, grandma, or even great-grandmother, these items deserve to shine during special occasions.
Think about it: no one is appreciating those beautiful pieces if they’re hidden away. Make it a tradition to bring them out for the holidays—it’s a lovely way to honor family history and elevate your gatherings.
I’ll never forget the time I surprised my mom by cleaning all her silver-plated flatware. I spent hours using my favorite silver cleaning method, only to find out later that she wasn’t too fond of the set because it wasn’t the most comfortable to use! That didn’t stop me from appreciating the beauty of the pieces or continuing to use them in my own home.
If you have silver or silver-plated items like platters, bowls, or flatware, give them a quick shine using an easy and effective cleaning technique. It takes just a little effort to restore their luster and make them table-ready.
(Related tip: I also did a fun makeover of my mom’s silverware box—check it out for inspiration!)
If you’re looking for a creative holiday gift idea, consider vintage-inspired details like stamped spreaders or serving utensils. These add charm to any table and make thoughtful presents for loved ones.
To truly enjoy your special pieces, get them ready well in advance—ideally a week or two before your holiday gathering. Pull them out, clean them up, and set them aside so you’re not rushing at the last minute. This way, you’ll have everything prepped and ready to go, allowing you to focus on what really matters: spending time with family and friends.
4. Stockpile Essentials for Hosting Overnight Guests
If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling to prepare for overnight guests at the last minute, you’re not alone. For me, it’s a familiar scenario, especially since we don’t have a dedicated guest room. In our house, hosting overnight visitors often means transforming one of the kids’ rooms from its usual state—a chaotic mix of stinky socks and scattered clothes—into a cozy, welcoming retreat for our family or friends.
If you’re in a similar situation, here’s a solution that has saved me countless times: create a designated bin of guest essentials. This simple strategy allows you to prepare a comfortable space for your guests quickly and stress-free.
In my guest bin, I keep an allocated set of freshly laundered guest sheets, along with a stack of fluffy white towels reserved exclusively for visitors. Recently, I added a couple of new pillows to the bin to ensure everyone has a comfortable night’s sleep.
I also prepare a small basket of toiletries and hand towels specifically for guest use in the bathroom. From toothpaste and shampoo to hand soap and lotion, having these essentials tucked away ensures that everything stays clean, fresh, and ready to go. If you have kids, you’ll appreciate how this system keeps guest items from being “borrowed” or misplaced!
Taking a few extra steps to create a welcoming space can make all the difference. A beautifully made bed, clean linens, and thoughtful touches like a basket of toiletries can turn even the most last-minute setup into a relaxing retreat. Need inspiration? Check out the Project Design series on how to make a bed that’s both cozy and stylish.
The idea is simple: by keeping all your guest supplies in one place, you’ll avoid the stress of scrambling to wash and dry sheets or track down extra towels just hours before your guests arrive. Instead, you’ll be able to focus on welcoming them with ease and enjoy their company without worrying about last-minute details.
For more tips on creating a super cozy and inviting space, check out my earlier Fall Into The Holidays post.
5. When Time Runs Out, Simplify and Embrace the Holiday Season
If you take away just one tip to tame the holiday crazy, let it be this: Let go of perfection and focus on what truly matters.
At some point during the holidays, many of us—especially women juggling roles as moms, wives, daughters, and friends—start to feel overwhelmed by all the things we think we should do. We want to create a magical experience for our families. We want to tackle every project we’ve bookmarked on Pinterest or admired on blog tours. We envision baking picture-perfect cookies, setting a stunning holiday table with elegant linens and floral arrangements, and crafting personalized place card menus that would make Martha Stewart proud.
But here’s the reality: if you’re running yourself ragged trying to check everything off your list, you risk losing the joy of the season. And let’s be honest—if you’re a stressed-out, frazzled host, no one is going to enjoy the atmosphere of your home. Isn’t the whole point of the holidays to share love, laughter, and connection?
Start by preparing early. Make a list of your holiday to-dos and prioritize what’s truly important to you and your family. Tackle the big items ahead of time so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
Then—and this part is crucial—give yourself permission to let go of the rest.
When time runs out, embrace simplicity. Invite friends and family over, order takeout, and enjoy their company without worrying about whether your table settings match or your dessert is homemade. These small details pale in comparison to the memories you’ll create when you let go of the pressure to do it all and simply focus on being present with your loved ones.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of overdoing it during the holidays. But remember: the most meaningful parts of this season aren’t found in perfectly arranged flowers or Instagram-worthy place settings. They’re found in the laughter around the dinner table, the hugs from loved ones, and the moments when you pause and truly connect with those who matter most.
As Maya Angelou wisely said:
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
For more holiday inspiration and tips, be sure to check out my talented friends’ posts:
And don’t miss the Fall Into The Holidays series for easy, practical ideas to spruce up your home this season.
Wishing you a joyful, crazy-free holiday season filled with love and laughter, my sweet friends!
