Reduce Stress at the Holidays

Stress-Reducing Secret No. 4: Go Casual—with Diamonds

Women know all about this strategy. You don’t feel like getting all dressed up for a party so you throw on a tried and true comfort outfit and add some razzle and dazzle with a great necklace, scarf, belt or shoes—or one of each. Good news: You can do the same thing with a recipe. Here are three basic techniques:

Holiday Stress-Reducing Secret No. 3: Take a Trial Run

“What could possibly go wrong?” That’s what you may be thinking when choosing a new recipe for your holiday meal. Don’t make your holiday guests your cooking guinea pigs! Do a trial run of any new dishes you plan to make and you’ll feel a lot more confident–and less stressed–when cooking them on the big day.