Holiday Hacks Part 2

Last year we shared some of our family’s favorite Holiday Hacks- ways to keep the season simple in order to focus on Jesus, togetherness, and the joy of the season. We’re continuing the tradition and sharing a few more tips! Really, these can be used year round. 

1. Free Library App – Did you know many libraries offer instant access to books, audiobooks, and other media completely free? We love the readalong books for our kids. Check to see if your local library has an app you can download for those holiday titles and skip the trip! Ours uses an app called Hoopla. It also cuts down on those library donations (aka fees) for those who sometimes miss the deadlines (speaking for a friend).  
2. Audiobooks and podcasts – Okay this one is a little obvious but we use it a good bit. Any task can be educational if you’ve got a good book playing in your ears. If you’ve worn out your holiday play list and still have gift wrapping to do, holiday travel, meal prep, laundry etc, an audiobook (and some wireless headphones) are a great way to stimulate your brain while you match those socks.  *2019 Update: We also use these for our kids! Sometimes we just do the audio and other times we reserve physical books and the audio CDs from our library or library app and let our 5 year old follow along! Some of our favorites are the Beatrix Potter audiobook series (3 years+), Children's Book of Virtues by William Bennett (5 years+), Little House in the Big Woods (6 years +). 
3. Gift list/ card journal – We shared some of our favorite gifts by age group in a previous post because keeping track of gift ideas and cards is a way we save time! You can create your own record of all-star gifts and even draft greeting card wording so you’re ready.
4.  Wal-Mart grocery delivery – we’ve yet to use this service which Wal-Mart just launched in August but it is on the radar! Last year, free grocery pick-up changed the way we shop. It still saves us a lot of time! Delivery is going to come in handy when we occasionally need it, and unlike many services, you don’t have to sign up for an annual membership. So you can pay only when you really need it. Wal-Mart also runs promotions for free deliveries. *2019 Update: We just signed up for unlimited grocery delivery for 1 year for $99! Totally worth not loading up 3 kids, plus the prices are great! (Often better than or close to Aldi). We're also using Whole Foods 2 hour FREE delivery for some of our special grocery items!
5. USPS free pickups – Did you know the post office will pick up your packages from your doorstep for free? I didn’t until a friend shared this tip! You can schedule a pick up on the USPS website 24 hours or more in advance and skip the trip to the post office. You need to have correct postage on the package at the time of pick up.
6. A Ready Recipe Tool Kit - We shared three easy meals last year that cut down on time in the kitchen during a busy time of year! Here a few more fast and yummy recipes!

• Chicken Picante – follow the link to this recipe!
• Sushi roll ups – grill your favorite fish, steam rice, and roll both up in bite-sized Nori (seaweed snacks). Top with soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger as desired!
• Korean Beef and Rice – follow the link to this recipe!

For convenience, here are the meals from last year as well:

• Awesome Slow Cooker Pot Roast
• Crock Pot Taco Soup (Can also be made on stove top)
• Tater Tot Casserole

We hope these tips are helpful! We’d love to hear some ways your family saves time and energy this time of year. Merry Christmas!