Four tips to fight holiday frenzy

STORY BY LYNN HALEY

Take a deep breath—the holiday marathon season is about to kick off.

Between shopping, entertaining, and attending everything from office parties to school concerts, the holiday season can be exhausting! Here’s four survival tips to keep you calm, cool and collected.

1. Have the makings for a quick appetizer on hand. Keep a couple of boxes of Siljan’s cups (you can find them in the deli section of your grocery store) and a jar of antipasto in your pantry. Fill them up 5 minutes before company drops in, garnish with a sprig of parsley, and you’re the host with the most. These can also be used for dessert cups, mini quiches and more.

2. Next time you’re browning ground beef, triple the amount you need. Cook the ground beef thoroughly, drain completely, and store your extra two batches in individual freezer bags. With a jar of pesto or tomato sauce, a package of noodles and a package of pre-grated cheese (which you can keep in your freezer), you’ve got the makings for a quick wholesome casserole at the height of the busy season. Best of all, your kids can have dinner waiting for you!

3. Join a cookie exchange—now (not in the middle of December!). Find eight friends, family members or co-workers and ask each one to bake nine dozen of their favourite cookie recipe.

You do the same. Have every member of the group package their cookies into one dozen packages. Pick a date early in November (before the crazy season starts) and exchange. You’ll end up with 9 dozen cookies (including one batch of your own)—perfect for mixing and matching as gifts, or for entertaining. For inspiration, see our cookie recipe on page 32.