Dozens of NEW practical problem solvers have arrived…just in time for the holidays! Make Christmas more memorable with these 5 fun stocking stuffers, handpicked by our staff at Solutions.

Ducky Tape Measure

Ducky Tape Measure: A fun, affordable stocking stuffer they can actually use.

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When it comes to preparing and planning that perfect menu on Thanksgiving Day, timing can be everything! Here are some simple tips to help you plan ahead.

Start fresh. Clean out your fridge before the holidays to make room for any delicious leftovers.

List List List. Plan your menu ahead of time and write a list of everything that needs to be bought at the store. Look through and organize your recipes and see what items can be prepared simultaneously.
Note: you may want to stock up on some items a week ahead of time, such as potatoes, vegetables, cream and butter.

Chop and dice ahead. Vegetables can be chopped and cheese can be grated in advance. Store them in the fridge and make sure to label them according to each recipe.

Think “potluck.” Hold a potluck-style Thanksgiving dinner and assign a dish to each one of your guests.

Prepare sauces ahead. Pies and cranberry sauces can be prepared a couple of days in advance. Just make sure not to forget about them!

Dress your turkey early. Rinse, pat, salt and prepare the turkey as much as possible before it’s ready to cook in the oven.

Serve soup. A warm fall soup can be prepared beforehand. Many soups taste even better the next day.

Use a slow cooker. To help save time from stuffing a turkey, you can cook the stuffing in your slow cooker. Remember to dry your breadcrumbs overnight.

Ice on the Go. For those last minute outings, several fast food restaurants sell bags of ice, even through their drive-through service. Make sure to be mindful of holiday hours.

Order pre-sliced. If all else fails and you’re not in the mood to cook, some places offer pre-sliced ham or turkey. Make sure to call ahead of time. You can also buy a pre-cooked turkey from the grocery store.

Skip the basting. Some say that basting a turkey is not worth the hassle, because it just runs off the skin. If you’re short on time, lightly coat the skin with olive or vegetable oil before putting the turkey in the oven. It will help seal in the natural juices—and give it that fresh out-of-the-oven look.

Make a “special” dish. Find out ahead of time if anyone on your guest list has special diet needs. For those vegetarians, for instance, pre-plan a dish or two that might not require meat or chicken broth.

Kitchen Helpers form Solutions:

	87258 Speed Prep Slicer Slice your vegetables a day ahead with the Speed Prep Slicer
	83926 BeaterBlade+ It blends ingredients more efficiently and scrapes down the bowl so you don’t have to
	87333 Rolling Cookie Cutter A fast pass over the dough, and your cutting is done!

Our free printable Recipe Cards Keep your recipes organized

Short on gift tags? No need to run to the store to pick up more! Print these FREE holiday gift tags on regular paper, use a single hole punch in one corner to make a hole for a ribbon, and attach them to your gifts. Or print them on full-sheet adhesive label paper and cut to fit!

Goodwill is a big part of the holiday season. One memorable way to show it is to make sure you thank those who have remembered you with a gift or an invitation to a party, dinner or event.

With the right preparation and approach, writing and sending a thank-you card can be done quickly and easily. And the simple gesture is sure to be greatly appreciated by the recipient.

Continue Reading How to Write a Thank You Note

Always eager to take part in community service activities, the Solutions team was particularly enthusiastic when they adopted a local Head Start class for Christmas.

“The Community Service Committee took a survey in August, and many of the employees expressed a special interest in doing something to help kids,” says Bob, a Solutions team member.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 35.9 million people live below the poverty line in America – 12.9 million of whom are children. One federal program geared toward helping kids from low-income families is Head Start.
Continue Reading The Giving Tree

The holidays can really take a toll on your home. Normal cleaning duties get overlooked, extra dishes and linens get used, and the guest bedroom. And then there are always the decorations that need to be taken down and stored.

Here’s a plan to help you get things back in shape — and give you a head start on next year!

Continue Reading Post Holiday Clean Up in 9 Steps

There are many realistic artificial trees on the market, but for some, nothing replaces the fresh smell of the real thing. With fresh-cut trees, however, can come messy needles – and, if your tree dries out, a potential fire hazard. These simple tips will help keep your tree fresh and beautiful throughout the season!

1. Don’t hurry the season. To ensure your tree looks fresh and lovely on Christmas Day, bring it home no more than four or, at most, five weeks before New Year’s Day. If you’re in a hurry to get into the spirit of the season, put your other decorations up first.
2. Choose the freshest tree possible. The more recently the tree was cut, the longer it will stay fresh.
   When buying it from a neighborhood lot, make sure the needles look shiny, green, and fresh — not dry or brown. They should not fall off when you pull on a branch.

3. Keep it in a shady spot. If you buy your tree a few days before you plan to put it up, keep it outdoors in a cool, shady place. As soon as you get your tree home, cut an inch off the trunk and stand it in a bucket of water until you’re ready to bring it inside. Cut an additional half-inch off the base of the trunk just prior to setting the tree up.
4. Use an antitranspirant. Before bringing the tree indoors, spray it with an antitranspirant. Found in the gardening section of many stores, an antitranspirant coats the needles with a clear film, slowing water loss.
5. Keep the tree away from direct heat. Put the tree in a spot that’s well away from a fireplace, stove, heating vent, radiator or other heat source (this includes your television).
6. Use mini lights. Miniature lights produce less heat than large bulbs and won’t dry the tree out as quickly. LEDs stay cooler and last a lot longer than standard lights. Use UL-approved electrical cords, making sure they aren’t worn or frayed. Be sure to unplug the lights before going to bed or leaving the house.
7. Keep it wet. Choose a tree stand that holds at least a gallon of water. The tree should start taking in water right away – keep adding plain tap water until the level stays the same.
8. Check the water level often. Monitor the amount of water in the tree stand. If it drops below the cut end of the trunk, resin can form. If this happens, add hot water to melt the resin and improve water intake. If this doesn’t work, you might need to make another cut.

Plan Ahead

1. Make a list… and check it twice! Write down the names of friends and family members you definitely want to remember with a Christmas gift (such as parents, grandparents, children, siblings, best friend). Make another list of folks you’d like to acknowledge this holiday season (such as a favorite aunt, cousin, or teacher). Keeping these lists separate will help you in putting together a budget.
2. Create a budget. Planning ahead and working with a budget helps you avoid overspending. Start by deciding how much you would like to spend on gifts this year, and make a note of this figure.
   Continue Reading The Art of Gift Giving, 12 Steps to Finding The Perfect Gift