Successful Maine Family Holidays Start With These 11 Easy Tips

Family holidays are nearly here, so it's the perfect time to start planning and doing some prep work, to make everything run smoothly.

Some People Can Pull Things Together Easily, But I Need to Plan

My mother has always amazed me. When I was growing up, we constantly had family dropping in, unannounced, for dinner and sometimes for the night. She could pull things together and serve up a tasty meal, rearrange sleeping arrangements so everyone was comfortable, and serve breakfast in the morning.

I haven't hosted a family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner in a few years, but I remember the days when I did. There were always things I wished I'd prepared for before the day arrived, like suddenly realizing I didn't have the right spices or forcing someone to sit on an uncomfortable seat. But I learned from my mother that with a little pre-planning, the holidays can go smoothly and easily.

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Take Advantage of Tools That Can Make Holiday Planning Easier

Just recently, for instance, I discovered that I can pick up my cellphone and tell Siri to add an item to my shopping list. It comes up in reminders, so I always have my list with me instead of remembering it's on the fridge at home. Plus, taking items off the list as I buy them is as easy as touching the bubble next to it. So convenient!

With Help From This List, Your Holidays Can Be Fun and Successful

If you're hosting a holiday meal or hosting family at your home, check out this list for ideas on how you can start getting the house ready for company now instead of waiting til the last minute. Then you can enjoy the day instead of spending it in a panic for all the things you forgot.

Successful Maine Family Holidays Start With These 11 Easy Tips

A little pre-planning can make family holidays go much smoother, including these 11 easy tips.

Gallery Credit: Cindy Campbell

7 Common Mistakes That Are Killing Maine Refrigerators

Listen, we all know appliances are expensive, so it's worth holding onto them and making sure they're working as long as possible. Reader's Digest recently released a study called ‘7 Ways You’re Shortening the Lifespan of Your Refrigerator,’ highlighting some common mistakes people make. We’re here to share that information, especially for the Mainers who may be unknowingly causing extra wear and tear on their fridge. Take a look and see if any of these tips can help you keep your refrigerator running smoothly for years to come!