Have Some Holiday Fun

The Christmas season can sometimes seem more like a very exhausting marathon—the shopping! the baking! the decorating!—than a festive good time. But before you utter a single “bah humbug” about the holidays, don’t worry, we have you covered with this set of shortcuts to holiday fun.

You’ll get plenty of advice to deck your halls in under an hour (we promise!) and even feel like a guest at your own holiday party. And odds are, at least one of the party games we suggest will become a Christmas classic or a highlight of your winter get-togethers. You can thank us later!

With these smart celebration strategies, we’ll leave you with more time to enjoy the season however you desire. Get ready to make this the best holiday season yet, for you and your loved ones.

You don’t have to spend hours fussing to make your house feel festive for the season. These easy holiday decorating touches, such as adding big bows to your cupboards and evergreen swags or fun little Santa hats to your framed photos, offer the ultimate low-effort, big-impact holiday decor. So you can spend less time decking your halls, and more time enjoying the holiday cheer.

As the winter chill hits, we all need a little extra Scandinavian hygge to help us feel cozy at home. With simple swaps like adding furry throws and pillows, amping up the candlelight, and of course, creating a little reading nook, you can make your home feel extra snug and welcoming for your family and guests.

‘Tis the season for hosting holiday parties. But having a fun and memorable get-together doesn’t have to require hours of work and spending the evening prepping hors d’oeuvres or playing bartender. With these smart strategies—think big-batch cocktails, an easy finger-food menu instead of a full dinner, and a simple tip for gently encouraging those late-staying guests to head for the door—you’ll be able to enjoy your own party like a guest.

A great game will help get everyone at your celebration engaged and excited (and hopefully, off their phones!). Whether you’re in charge of the office holiday party or hoping for a fun activity that’ll work for everyone from your preschooler nephew to your grandma, we have you covered. From holiday classics like ugly sweater contests and white elephant exchanges to candy cane scavenger hunts and fresh new board games to try, you’ll find something on this list to keep everyone entertained.

One of the most beloved—and often parodied—Christmas carols involves a laundry list of interesting gifts. (And ones that are probably pretty expensive to muster—just the gold rings alone are over a grand!) Get the scoop on what historians think of the tune and its origins—could it be prep for a wedding or party?—and be prepared to impress your loved ones with your Christmas carol knowledge.