He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more! - How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I have found that the holidays are often more stressful than intended.  Buying gifts, cramming work into shorter work weeks, decorating, baking, hosting parties...it can add a little stress to ones life!  Here are a few tips & ideas I have pulled out of my pocket to keep me sane:

What to serve at a holiday party? Beer & wine just don't seem to cut it.  Make an easy festive holiday drink - the Poinsettia Cocktail! This easy champagne cocktail is perfect for any holiday party.  Remember, with any champagne cocktail to mix all of the ingredients then add the champagne just before serving.

Ingredients:

1/2 oz Cointreau
3 oz Cranberry juice
Champagne / Prosecco

Preparation:

1. Chill all of the ingredients beforehand.
2. Pour the Cointreau & cranberry juice into a chilled champagne flute
3. Top with champagne

How to look festive without over doing it in a pinch? A little red nail polish & or red lipstick goes a long way.  My picks for this holiday season:

OPI Vodka & Caviar nailpolish & MAC Ruby Woo lipstick

OPI Vodka & Caviar -- MAC Ruby Woo

Asked to bring an appetizer & don't have time to prepare one?  Again, I must give credit to MimiBlanca for this one, I love this recipe - & without fault, I bring it to every gathering.  Brie Cheese in Phyllo dough cups with *real* maple syrup.

Ingredients:
- 1 pkg frozen phyllo cups (25 ct usually to a pkg)
- brie cheese
- real maple syrup

Preparation:
- slice brie cheese into cubes
- place cube(s) into phyllo cups
- bake at 350 degrees until brie has softened
- drizzle maple syrup over brie into cups & serve!

I hope all of you enjoy a stress-free pleasant holiday season :)