3 Tips for Stress-free Holiday Entertaining
I love entertaining and admit I tend to go a little overboard with all the party details. And although I absolutely love it all, it can be quite overwhelming at times. But over the years, I’ve learned to let go and just focus on what’s important. Such as checking off items from a must-have list and making sure the party is as stress-free as possible. Because let’s face it, the holidays are already stressful as it is, am I right? So here are 3 tips to help with your holiday entertaining parties.
- Create A Vision Board: This is crucial as it will help you visualize everything you’d like to include. Pinterest is always easy to use and you can build a board instantly. Just be sure to stay focused and add items that are attainable and only work within your timeline and budget.
- Lists Create a list of items needed as well as a to-do list. Always keep in mind the time you have to work with. For example, it might not be a good idea to add an elaborate dessert bar if you only have a couple of days to plan, make or purchase all the items. Remember to keep it simple first. Focus on your must-have items such as food, bar, music list and holiday decor. You can always add more if time permits.
- Prep Time: It’s always a good idea to prep as early as possible. Starting with tidying up your place.
We love using the Black & Decker SMARTECH™ Cordless Lithium 2-IN-1 Stick Vacuum before and after our parties. This cordless self-standing floor vacuum converts to a hand vacuum instantly. It’s also super light-weight. We’re talking the lightest one we’ve yet to own. Makes it a cinch to clean our stairs even while carrying Lexi around. It also has a SMARTECH™ sensing technology which displays battery and filter status as you work. But the best part about the Black & Decker vacuum is that it automatically adjusts suction to the surface your vacuuming. And it swivels right into every corner of our dark floors. 
This vacuum is definitely our go-to holiday helper but also for all the every day messes that our kiddos tend to make around the house. Super lightweight and has great suction. The best vacuum I’ve ever owned to date.
Abrazos (Hugs) — Gladys
45 COMMENTS
I loved your tips! My crew makes some mighty messes and my vacuum has been crapping out on me so fingers crossed!!
Oh wow! This looks incredible. Hands down my favorite feature is the alert that tells you when to change the filter. That is what I always forget!!! And I love that it can go from being a full size vacuum to handheld. I definitely need a new one, this looks dreamy!
This sounds amazing!!! With two toddlers we have permanent crumbs everywhere. What I love is that it’s cordless! I don’t have to worry about my toddlers tripping. Plus I love the hand held to reach little areas that little hands tend to go! Lol. Would love this! Crossing fingers and toddler toes!
I love that it is a vacuum AND a portable dust buster all in one. The portability is amazing too. I’d love one of these!!
Jenny
This vacuum is where it’s at! I love the tips for the holiday. Never thought of making a board. Definitely going to do that!
xoxo
danielle
momwifefoodie.com
Love that’s light way, steams and it’s purple and detaches
Mama I need this one in my LIfe. I’ve been cleaning my little ones disasters every day and this could help us A LOT.
Loved this post!
Xo,
Maca
I love that it’s full size yet detached for small jobs. This would great to get spaces a big vacuum can’t get to.
Love the power boost! Nothing is worse than vaccumming and then it looking like you didn’t even touch the space! All for the strong suction!
What a great list thanks! Oh and seriously that black & decker stick vacuum is exactly what I need this season…smart suction, that’s brilliant! Go from kids crumbs on the hard wood to tree needles on the carpet without any extra work, what!?
Happy holidays!
Love this vacuum! It’s cordless, lightweight, 2-in-1 and a sleek design. It would take up little space for storage. Very nice – great post!
I love that it’s purple! Ha! I love that I can probably use it in my wheelchair. I love the filter sensor. I like that it adjusts it self, no more benting over and hurti g my back. I like more features but just cant remember them right now. It seems like a really great vacuum if you ask me!
Okay the fact that this vacuum is cordless is good enough but since you asked for two… i love the detachable brush for easy cleaning! I am always battling the babes when it comes to the cord while I vacuum. This would be a life saver &&&& it would help with vacuuming the stairs. Thanks for the chance to win this!!
This vacuum looks awesome! I love that it turns into a hand vacuum and that it’s cordless. This would definitely make cleaning the house much easier.
I could really use one of these. My daughter loves walking around the house while eating her snacks leaving trails behind. This vacuum would be perfect for our home. I like that it’s cordless and lightweight. It looks like it’s pretty sleek which is great for storing in small spaces too.
Great post on holiday entertaining!
Xo,
Lee
From its sleek cordless design to its automatic luxuries this 2 in 1 vacuum is definitely a must have for a mother of multiple (very small) children. I love that I could go from my hard floors, to my rug, to my carpet, to my stairs, to my couches, to my blinds! all without going from one outlet to another or worrying about the little one gnawing on the cord while my back is turned. I love that the black and decker 2 in 1 cordless vacuum has engineered a true hassle free way of cleaning.
Oh man! So many great tips! Vacuuming is the husband duty as of now but if I had one of these I might fight him for the task!! This looks awesome!!
I LOVE LOVE Love your tips! The vacuum seems to be the easiest and fastest way to keep a tidy home in a time when messes come quick lol we have stairs in our home and a mix of tile and carpet all over, so the change in suction and easy handheld conversion would make life a little simpler. Fingers crossed!
Looks like it would be great on stairs
I love everything about this vacuum! My parents are getting older and can’t seem to vacuum their floors with the heavy vucuum they currently have. This would be a Godsend as it’s lightweight and cordless and looks very easy to use all surfaces.
With two toddler boys at home seems mess and dirt follow me everywhere! So what I love is the ease of the vacuum and the mobility… I can use it in the kitchen one moment and the next in my car! I would totally LOVE one in my home. I totally need all the help I can get 😉
This is such a good idea! I think the holidays tend to get crazy for all of us mamas! I love the meal prep idea! Thanks for these helpful tips G!
xo Dani
I love your tips! That vacuum looks amazing! I love that the filter is washable, it’s cordless, that it is 2 vacuums in one. I love everything about it!
Oh my gosh…. The cordless part… I can’t tell you how many things I’m planning on vacuuming if I win!!!!!!!! And being light, we teach our kids how to do chores and this would make their Saturday list go so much faster!
I’ve has the same small, cheap vacuum since sophomore year (now a senior) and it’s been giving problems these past months.
This vacuum has all the qualities I need:
– It’s cordless,
I get tired of plugglibg and unplugging from upstairs to downstairs, I’d like to get the job done all at once. 🙂
– The power boost for sure!
Like I said my vacuum is dying slowly, the head of the vacuum sorta snapped and it’s falls of every time I pick it up. And it doesn’t clean well anymore.
– 2 in 1
This is so perfect for picking up dirt from the corners and smaller or harder to pick up messes of the apartment.
Thank you so much for the opportunity !
This would be a wonderful gift and way to start the new year!
Happy Holidays,
Teresa
I LOVE that this vacuum is cordless! Ahhh I need this in my life, especially with 2 littles! This would make cleaning up messes so mucg faster and easier… plus it is lightweight?!?! Win win!
Xoxo
The cordless feature is awesome for my house with my two littles!!! No tripping or unplugging to worry about!
Great vacuum! I love that it is 2-in-1 and cordless! So great for picking up toddler messes! Also the design is sleek!
I love that it automatically adjusts suction power when going from carpet to hard floor. I also like that it shows you how much battery power you have and you dont have to rush through cleaning because you dont know when the battery needs to be recharged.
I love that it is compact and light weight. Lugging out my big vacuum to clean up one little mess is a pain, especially right now during my 3rd trimester. The small detachable feature would also be great to encourage my 6 year to help with cleaning up when the baby comes. What a perfect vacuum for my family!
Vacuum looks amazing.
CORDLESS! I hate being held down by cords.
Just hosted for the holidays and this vacuum would have been amazing in cleaning up all the crumbs left behind !
I love how sleek and light weight it is. Definitely a must have for gatherings and children. I’d love to try it out.
Love the size, color, versatility and even more amazing that it’s cordless! I’m sure I have a mess or two to try this out on.
I love the auto adjust suction!!
Also the powerboost option to get those extra tough meses!
And moat importantly it looks so LIGHT!!! Our OLD HEAVY vacuum isn’t cutting it anymore!! I hope I win, this would be AWESOME!!
This is great 2 in 1!!!
The vacuum looks amazing. Love that it’s light weight and easy to use!!!
This vacuum looks great! My toddler likes to help mommy clean. This compact vacuum might actually take her cleaning skills to the next level.
Love ❤️ love ❤️ love to have one! Especially love the fact it’s cordless for all those spots that are unreachable.
Liking the filtersense, and that it is cordless. That would really help when cleaning a big area.
I love that it’s lightweight but still does the job as a large vacuum! I also love that its cordless and easy to use!
Very cool!!!
I’ve had many hand vacuums and other cleaning tools over the years, and this by far looks like the Rolls Royce of cordless vacuums. As a mom of two young children who desires a clean and healthy home, this seems too good to be true. An alert that tells you when to change the filter? Genius. A sleek and lightweight design? Love it. This was made for me
You had me at cordless and Hand-held. Sounds like a win-win to me!!