Preparing for the Holiday Season

This post is sponsored by Wente Vineyards but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Anyone else feel like sometimes the holidays become so hectic with determination to “check off” from a list, that we often lose sight of what is most important during this time? Stop and think about this, “What is most important during each holiday season?” I would think most of us would answer “spending quality time with family and friends.” In order to truly relax and enjoy the time with family and friends I know personally I do my very best at preparing for hosting a family gathering. Therefore with the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to share with you how I prepare for the season so that I can really take the time to enjoy what matters most.

Preparing for the Holiday Season

Make Lists for Everything- Lists save my life. I need everything organized and written down so that I will have everything in order for the holidays. What I need for food, drinks, decor, games,and/or gifts all need to be written down so that I am able to not stress and panic about grabbing something last minute. I do not know how many times in the past that I had been running to the store the day of a party to get something I forgot. Not anymore! Trust me if you write down all your party needs, recipes, and ideas, this will help in anxiety and time management.

Stick to a cleaning schedule- Cleaning is not my favorite thing to do but I found that if I maintain a cleaning schedule I can keep my home looking party ready every single day. I used to be the person that would wake up early the day of a family gathering and clean for three hours straight. My anxiety just cannot handle that anymore! So splitting up chores every day and focusing at one room a day guarantees that my home is holiday season ready and my anxiety does not skyrocket.

Stock up on simple foods and great wine- I always have simple foods like cheese and crackers in my kitchen for every holiday. It is a staple favorite for most parties that I throw and can easily be put together for the pop up family visits. Another item that I always have on hand is Wente Vineyards. I absolutely love their 2017 Rive Ranch Chardonnay. I love how this wine is beautifully rich with apple and pear but also full of aromas and flavors of tropical and stone fruits. One thing to add about Wente Vineyards is that their mission is to #MakeTime to spend time with family and friends. So I believe it is the perfect wine to use for any holiday season.

These three simple tips keep me on track for a successful holiday season every single time. I am not stressed and can really embrace my time with my family and friends. I love being able to sit back, relax, and drink a good glass of wine with my family! These are the are days where memories are made!