Tri-County news • Serving Chilton, Kiel & New Holstein • Thursday, December 14, 2017
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La s t M i n u t e
Gift Guide Tri-County News Supplement • Thursday, December 14, 2017
5 ways to survive holiday season For most of us, the holidays are the busiest time of year. From finding the best deals to stuffing stockings, it is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle and forget the spirit of the season. Instead of enjoying valuable time with family and friends, the holidays are often defined by a never-ending to-do list. This year, however, survive the chaos surrounding the season by following these tips and tricks.
Host a potluck Instead of tackling the stress of cooking a big holiday meal all by yourself, dish out some of the responsibility to make it more enjoyable for everyone. Encourage guests to bring an entree, side or dessert they could not imagine their holidays without. Not only will everyone be satisfied, but it also will spark conversation on favorite holiday traditions. Even more, the sharing will take quite a bit of weight off your wallet. Stay connected with everyone It can be difficult to bring all loved ones together during the holidays, but one of the best tools for staying in touch during the holidays is right in your pocket—your smartphone. So this holiday season, Wal-Mart Family Mobile is offering plans starting at $24.88/month for unlimited talk, text and 1GB of data at 4G LTE† speeds, then 2G. Learn more at www.myfamilymobile.com. Drink lots of water We all know the feeling of having one too many cookies off the dessert tray. To prevent the uncomfortably full feeling of overeating, drink lots of water before, during, and after your holiday meals and gatherings. An added bonus, sugary and alcoholic drinks are nearly always at hand this time of year, so alternating with glasses of water will keep meals
Following some simple tips can help make celebrating the holidays less stressful and a lot easier.
healthier and you feeling better today and tomorrow. Embrace the busy To most, the holidays and chaos are synonymous. Instead of stressing over not being able to achieve it all, embrace the busyness. Time in the car traveling from one gathering to the next should not be seen as time lost, but rather a great time to bond with family and friends. Similarly, view tasks such as shopping and cooking as yet another opportunity to spend valuable quality time with those
you love. Sometimes the best memories are made when running from one thing to the next; cherish all the time you spend together—even in the busiest moments— to make your holiday merrier. Plan ahead The best way to make the holidays more relaxing is to plan ahead—use this holiday season as a starting block. If you try a new recipe that friends and family loved, print it off and put it in the box of house decorations so you have it on hand for next year. Save packaging from this
year’s presents and reduce, reuse, recycle in the years to come. And when you take your holiday lights down for the season, wrap them around a piece of cardboard to avoid a tangled mess next time. A little planning this season will make next year easier than ever. At the end of the day, the holidays are about focusing on what matters most— spending valuable time with loved ones. The holidays will still be merry and bright, even if a few items are still left on the never-ending to-do list.
4 tips for buying thoughtful gifts for coworkers It is that time of year when employees are seeking meaningful and appropriate holiday gifts for their coworkers and clients. While the process should be fun, because such gifts can inadvertently send unspoken messages to their recipients, making the right choice at the right time can be surprisingly tricky. No one wants to come across as impersonal or lacking in good taste, but it is all too easy to pick something that is too expensive or too impractical to make the statement you are intending to make.
With that thought in mind, consider these guidelines for buying or making gifts for your coworker that are memorable and appropriate. n Consider practicality. If the present is unlikely to be used or consumed, it is a mismatch and a waste of money. For example, even the rarest or priciest bottle of wine will be unimpressive to a client who does not drink. Before buying, attempt to learn something about the recipient’s preferences, then picture what he or she will do with the gift once he or she receives it.
n Incorporate name(s). Whenever possible, personalize your selection by adding your boss’, colleague’s or direct report’s name to the gift. Research shows people across many demographics get excited when hearing or seeing their own monikers. Fortunately, Staples offers a wide variety of ideas for quality presents that can be easily personalized for each recipient. n Don’t scrimp on presentation. Nothing ruins a gift faster than uninspired or slipshod packaging that seems like an afterthought. Make sure all of
your gifts are presented in attractive, sturdy boxes, baskets and/or bags that add to their overall effect. Myka Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette and expert authority on business etiquette, said of holiday gift-giving in the workplace, “It is important to gift both colleagues and clients during the holiday season, as it is a great relationship building opportunity to establish rapport while showing respect and gratitude.” Meier added, “For colleagues or junior team members, it’s typical to spend around $25.”