Stay a step ahead

As the holidays get closer, it seems that we are invited to at least a party a week. Now is the time to begin to prepare for the numerous get-togethers or drop-in visitors.

While you are out and about, pick up a couple of gifts to keep on hand for a hostess gift for those last-minute invitations or swaps or for friends that drop in for a holiday visit.

It's also a good time to do some cooking and freezing. Preparing cookie dough, soups and various hors d'oeuvres that can be frozen are a great way to stay a step ahead. Cooking for a holiday party, potluck or a drop-in visitor is easy when you can just pull something out of the freezer and throw it in the oven for a few minutes.

Anything we can do now to make things easier later will save time and relieve some stress. I'm all for that!

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