The Best of the Holidays 2016

We know holiday music has been on blast in public places since before Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean we’re any less excited about the most wonderful time of the year!

Have you been getting your home ready for relatives or preparing for a big holiday trip? Even with all the excitement the holidays bring, they can also be a major time of stress and anxiety for those of us with just too many things on our to-do lists!

Here’s an easy way to cross several things off that list: Check out our best holiday recipes, hacks, and crafts! Each one is made easy by saving you time, money, or just making your life simpler by using premade ingredients. Now that’s a winning combination!

Check out our Best of the Holidays guide below for some simple tips and tricks for making your December and January extra easy breezy!

Best Holiday Recipes

Pictured: 8 Tasty Holiday Cookie Recipes Made on a Budget (#1)

One of the best parts of the holidays — no matter which one you celebrate — is sharing good food with great friends and family. Lend a hand in the kitchen this year or have your friends try out some new treats with the best holiday recipes, including full meals, no-bake goodies, holiday beverages, and, of course, Christmas cookies!

Oh, and don’t forget these tips for clever ways to package your Christmas cookies!

The Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Sauce [Video]

These Mint-Chocolate Cookie Pies Are a Dream Come True

20 Try-At-Home Tips for Packaging Christmas Cookies

This Pecan Pie Bites Recipe is Perfect for Sharing with Friends

Homemade Holiday Cookie Mixes to Simplify Holiday Baking

8 Tasty Holiday Cookie Recipes Made on a Budget

How to Host an Awesome Holiday Cookie Exchange

17 Decadent Christmas Cookie Recipes

Quick & Easy Make-Ahead, No-Bake & Crock Pot Holiday Recipes

11 Easy Holiday Appetizers You Can Make in 10 Minutes

This Microwave Fudge Recipe is Absurdly Easy to Make

Spread Holiday Cheer! 7 No-Bake Christmas Cookies

Set It and Forget It Slow Cooker Meals for the Holidays

Simplify Holiday Dinners with these 5-Ingredient Recipes

Holiday Meal & Drink Recipe Ideas

How to Make Homemade Holiday Syrup to Power Up Your Latte

This Christmas Popcorn Recipe Will Put Some Merry in Your Munchies!

8 Delicious & Easy Christmas Breakfast Ideas

10 Kid-Friendly Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas

2 Christmas Dinners on a Budget: Serve 10 for Less Than $40!

12 Holiday Cocktails for Everyone On Your List

This Crock Pot Apple Cider Will Be the Star of Your Holiday Party

How to Recover from Your Holiday Indulgence Diet

Make Ahead Holiday Breakfast Meals

Taste the Season: Flavored Liqueurs for Holiday Cocktails

Holiday Gift Guides

Pictured: 20 Delightful Pet Gift Ideas Your Four-Legged Pals Will Love

There’s always that one person who’s hard to shop for. Whether it’s your dad who just keeps saying “a sports car” when you ask for hints, or that friend you haven’t talked to in a while, these holiday gift guides are sure to help you find the perfect present for everyone on your list! (P.S. Here are some easy ways to wrap your gifts in style!)

The 12 Best Star Wars Gift Ideas in the Galaxy

20 Delightful Pet Gift Ideas Your Four-Legged Pals Will Love

How to Get Your Holiday Shopping in One Day

Get Up Close and Personal with Perfect Gifts from Personal Creations

Holiday Gifts: Classic Fashion They’ll Wear Forever

22 Beauty Gifts that Make Perfect Stocking Stuffers

Level Up with these Gamer Gifts

33 Luxury Christmas Gifts Totally Worth the Splurge

30 Gifts You’ll Want in Every Color

10 Perfect Gifts for Gamers and Tech Geeks

40 Inexpensive Christmas Gifts to Put Under Your Tree

Gap Gift Guide: Classic Winter Style for Every Occasion

14 Retro Gifts All 80s Kids Will Love

Holiday Hacks & Savings Tips

Pictured: 9 Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas to Trim Your Holiday Spending

The holidays can be a big time for getting together with family and friends — and for blowing way past your budget if you’re not careful.

Even though Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed, many of us still have gifts to pick up here and there. Check out these easy holiday hacks and savings tips to keep the savings rolling in!

The 7 Best Things to Buy in December

Hello, Sales! 10 Best Things to Buy After Christmas

4 Make-Ahead Recipe Tips for Your Easiest Holiday Ever

This Is the Best Time to Book a Flight for Your Holidays

40+ Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining Tips

The 5 Best Credit Cards for Shopping During the Holidays

9 Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas to Trim Your Holiday Spending

How to Donate to Those in Need Without Spending a Dime

7 Ways to Keep Your Pets Happy & Healthy for the Holidays

7 Must-See Christmas Markets Right Here in the U.S.

Declutter Your Home: Organize Christmas Decorations

Simplify With 12 Brilliant Holiday Storage Hacks

Sparkle & Save: 20 Cheap & DIY Christmas Decorations

How to Pick a Christmas Tree: 7 Essential Tips

13 Christmas Tree Care Tips — for Faux & Live Trees!

How to Teach Kids About Charity During the Holidays

Holiday Helper: How to Avoid the Post Office

5 Best Tips to Survive Holiday Shopping with Kids

Holiday Helper: Time to Spruce Up the Guest Room

How to Plan for Holiday Shopping with Layaway

Holiday Helper: Whip Your Calendar into Shape!

Make This Right Now & Your Holiday Planning is Done

Holiday Helper: How to Plan and Stick to a Holiday Budget

Festive Holiday Apparel

Pictured: 14 Hilarious Ugly Christmas Sweaters You Can Nab for Under $40 (#3)

Make a statement at your office party or earn some laughs with the most ridiculous ugly Christmas sweater you can find.

14 Hilarious Ugly Christmas Sweaters You Can Nab for Under $40

Holiday Finds for the Fashion-Obsessed

10 DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters for the Holidays

Holiday Crafts & Decor

Pictured: How to Make Your House Smell Like Christmas; photo from Half Baked Harvest

Give your home a dose of holiday cheer with fun DIY crafts and decor. From advent calendars to wreaths, holiday scents and ornaments, these holiday crafts and fun and easy to make — and some are perfect for little hands, too!

30 Funny & Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas!

How to Make This DIY Snowman Advent Calendar

Dress Up Your Home with This DIY Dollar Store Christmas Candle

Use These Infused Olive Oil Recipes to Make the Perfect Gift!

Holiday Cards So Cute No One Will Throw Them Away

Make This Easy Christmas Wreath in Just 5 Minutes!

10 Family Christmas Photo Ideas that are Totally NOT Awkward

19 Christmas Ornament Decorations Not on Your Tree!

Top Your Tree! 6 DIY Christmas Tree Topper Projects

10 Dazzling & Inexpensive DIY Christmas Gifts

How to Make Your House Smell Like Christmas

15 DIY Christmas Ornaments Made with Everyday Items