Make the time to Bake – Simplify your Holiday Season

For those people that know me I am a busy person like all of us are. I work full time and have a son. So people often wonder how I find time to bake especially during the holidays. My answer is that I find time to enjoy the things that are really important to me and baking is one of them. It is almost like therapy to me. It is magical to see all the different ingredients come together and make something so special (well most of the time). And I like to give the results to others. I think they enjoy it too!

But tonight I am baked out. Five days before Christmas and I have entered the final stressed out stage. No matter how hard I plan there is always some last minute potluck, present to get or card to send. And although I love the Christmas dinner get togethers and the goodies I have been getting as presents what I really need is a nice big stalk of broccoli with a bow on it.

So here a few holiday tips that I did this year to give myself more time (the greatest holiday gift of all):

1. No Christmas Tree. We are not going to be around for the actual day anyways so I saved time decorating and money this year.
2. Send Happy New Year’s Presents. Most of my friends travel during Christmas anyways so it seems silly to send perishables that will just sit on the doorstep. Save time by missing the Christmas crowds at the Post Office.
3. What did we do without gift cards? (Oh, yeah there was cash). And in my neck of the woods you can buy all types of cards at the local drugstore or supermarket. Saves time traveling in the thick of the jungle we know as the mall zone. You can even buy them online if you order them in time to get them in the mail (or some have print out certificates you can do.
4. Reuse cards. Instead of hauling out the Christmas decorations and storing them each year. I just clear off my fireplace mantle, put up a little greenery and Christmas lights and wait for the Christmas cards to roll in. By the time Christmas comes I have a mantle filled with photos and greetings from the ones we love.
5. Bag it, don’t wrap it. Wrapping a present can take a good two minutes (ten if my son is helping me). Putting it into a bag with tissue paper takes two seconds. Do the math.
6. Finally, there is no shame in buying baked goods and potluck dishes at the supermarket or restaurants. You can buy almost anything you want and if you are feeling really guilty just throw it into your own pan to make it look good. Save even more time by buying online and having it delivered straight to your door. (Check out Bake Me A Wish)

Ok, off to wrap (I mean bag) a few more gifts. Just remember to keep you holiday spirit going strong and keep your ovens hot.