A frozen, pre-stuffed, ready to cook turkey eliminates a significant amount of preparation and clean up time.

The picture-perfect turkey and all the fixings—it’s what the whole family looks forward to every year at Christmas. However, with today’s hectic schedules, there’s not enough time to fuss over the holiday feast. This leaves many cooks in search of quick and easy meal solutions, even during the tradition-steeped holidays.

Because holiday time means quality time, Butterball staffers offer the following suggestions on how you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family.

Start with the turkey. A frozen, pre-stuffed, ready to cook turkey eliminates a significant amount of preparation and clean up time. You simply remove the package and place the turkey in a roasting pan. Then brush the skin with vegetable oil and pop it in the oven. How easy is that?

Grocery stores offer several convenient ready to cook vegetables (potatoes, carrots, broccoli, squash, etc.). With the prep already done all you need to do is decide the cooking method.

A selection of pre-made salad is available in your grocer’s produce section. Just transfer the salad to a beautiful serving bowl to make it part of your festive feast.

Dessert options are endless… a triple chocolate concoction from the corner bakery, your favourite creamy cheesecake from the club store or plum pudding from your grocer.

This year don’t stress. Give yourself the gift of time with these time saver ideas from Butterball. (Turkey Talk-Line 1-800-BUTTERBALL)

www.newscanada.com

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(ARA) – The holly boughs on the front porch railing and the evergreen wreath on the door may be visible signs of the holidays, but to really savor the spirit of the season, you need to engage all your senses.

Just like a romantic dinner where all your senses are involved – soft music, gentle candlelight, enticing aromas, mouth-watering flavors and the soft touch of holding your sweetheart’s hand – celebrating the holidays also can be a feast for the senses … all season long.

Each sense you engage adds a layer of appeal to your home environment, creating a complete and satisfying holiday ambiance. Follow these helpful hints to enhance the holiday season in your home in a special way this year:

Sight
You might think creating the look of the holidays is easy. After all, you probably bring out the same boxes of holiday decorations each year. While beloved ornaments, photos and decorations always will have a place in your holiday decor, spice things up every year by adding a new item or trying a new effect.

For example, if your family loves decorating outdoors with twinkling lights, this year consider upgrading to eco-friendly LED lights. These energy-efficient alternatives may cost a little more up front, but will last longer and use less energy than traditional incandescent lights. In fact, decorating a 6-foot tree with LED lights and keeping the lights on for 12 hours per day for 40 days can save 90 percent or more energy compared with traditional incandescent lights, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Sound
Definitely bring out those holiday CDs – music is an integral element of holiday ambiance. Traditional carols, Elvis and even “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” are sure cues the holidays have arrived. But don’t stop there.

Mix up your holiday audible decor with recordings of your children’s recent holiday pageant, or record the whole family singing holiday favorites and play that in the background when guests visit. Your kids don’t have to be the Jonas Brothers, just sincere, enthusiastic and relatively in tune.

Scent
What aroma evokes the holidays for you? Does vanilla bring back memories of Sunday afternoons baking with Grandma? Does mistletoe make you think of your first kiss? Or perhaps the scent of evergreen reminds you of bringing home that special Christmas tree.

“Although we tend to associate sights with the essence of the holidays, scent is actually the sense most powerfully associated with memory,” says fragrance expert Rick Ruffolo of Yankee Candle. “It may not be practical to bake a batch of holiday cookies every time you want that wonderful aroma, but you can recreate that effect with a scented candle.”

In addition to being a simple, cost-effective option, candlelight coupled with your favorite scents is a great way to create a warm, inviting and memorable atmosphere. Yankee Candle offers a range of seasonally appropriate scents, such as Balsam & Cedar, Mistletoe, Christmas Cookie and Sparkling Cinnamon. In addition to traditional scents, try innovative approaches to traditional holiday scents and flavors like Christmas at the Beach (a tropical themed scent with a bright, festive blend of pineapple, coconut and cilantro), North Pole (a blend of icy cool mint and sugary rich vanilla cream), Sparkling Snow (the crisp, naturally fresh scent of gleaming snow-covered pines), or Christmas Cupcake (an irresistible treat of rich, moist vanilla cupcake covered with sweet buttery holiday icing).

“Having great-smelling scented candles in your home will put the finishing touches on your holiday celebrations,” Ruffolo notes. “Your guests and your family members will appreciate how these scents will bring back endearing memories of your experiences together for many years to come.” Visit www.YankeeCandle.com to learn more.

Touch
Anyone who’s ever tried to keep a toddler away from the tree knows there’s a very powerful tactile element to the holiday. Instead of discouraging touching – not just by toddlers but guests as well – give visitors to your home an appropriate opportunity to touch the holiday.

Children will love being able to touch holiday-themed stuffed animals. And tinsel is wonderfully appealing to all age groups – and easy to put back on the tree if it gets pulled off. Decorate banisters with crisp garlands that encourage a brush of the fingertip as guests climb the stairs.

Finally, keep your home cozy for the holidays – for nothing is more associated with the season than warmth and happiness. If you have a fireplace, light it when guests arrive. Be sure there are no drafts and seal any doors or windows with weather stripping. And be sure to offer guests the opportunity to curl up next to the fire in a cozy holiday-themed throw.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Quick wrap: Last minute gift wrap doesn’t have to sacrifice style or personalization. Fashionable and fun new gift wrap, greeting cards, gift bags, gift card holders and accessories can by found by visiting www.corporate.americangreetings.com.

(ARA) – While it seems that the Thanksgiving leftovers were just finished, the holiday season is here and that has many a yuletide procrastinator shaking in their snow boots. But they are not alone. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation, last year 35 million people had not even begun their holiday shopping 10 days before Christmas.

“The holidays are an important time to recognize our relationships with friends and family and we do so by exchanging gifts and greetings, but the most essential tradition is just to spend time together,” says Rochelle Lulow, holiday etiquette expert at American Greetings. “Even if you’ve waited until the last minute to tackle your to-do list, there are many things you can do to help get everything done, and to give you more time to spend with loved ones.”

Lulow offers the following helpful tips to tackle that to-do list and get to the celebrating:

Make a list, check it twice:
While the sound of the holiday clock ticking adds a tremendous amount of pressure, take a few minutes to sit down and draw up a list with corresponding budget. It will save you time in the long run — as you can consolidate your shopping trips — to ensure that no one is forgotten.

Hold a quick brainstorming session:
Enlist the help of friends and family to find out what everyone on your list needs or wants. In their early bird aisle wandering, they may have already spotted the perfect item for you to pick up.

Escape the traffic:
Try shopping during extended hours, or, if you have the vacation time to spare, consider taking a weekday off in order to play catch-up.

Go online for speedy, yet personalized gifts:
Online photo personalization retailers such as PhotoWorks (www.photoworks.com) offer fast ways to create and ship custom holiday greeting cards, photo books and photo gifts that will be treasured for years to come. The bonus is that the Internet is open 24/7 and there are never any lines.

By all means, delegate:
Just because you’ve waited until the last minute does not absolve any immediate family members from having holiday duties. Try assigning some gift wrapping or the addressing of holiday greeting card envelopes to another family member.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – Sticking to a well-orchestrated budget while hunting for the must-have gifts of the season, planning the perfect holiday meal and arranging flawlessly timed travel are not tasks for the novice. This time of year can drain even the savviest shopper’s budget, but there are easy ways to save and even earn money this holiday season.

When Jonni McCoy became a stay-at-home mom, she learned first-hand how to manage her family budget with only one income. Since then, she has written three books and launched a Web site (www.miserlymoms.com) teaching others how to make frugality a lifestyle for the entire family, especially during the holidays.

Try to avoid a holiday shopping hangover this coming January and start with a financial game plan to tackle holiday decorating, gifts, travel and entertaining. Take time to prepare your budget, draw up gift lists and comparison shop for the best deals. Here are some more tips from McCoy to help you make the most of your holiday spending.

Deck the Halls – For Less
* Stay simple. Use evergreen trimming as a table centerpiece and sprinkle silver confetti over it for some sparkle.

* For unique holiday home decor, buy terra-cotta clay, roll out 1/2-inch-thick pieces and use cookie cutters to make ornaments. Let them dry overnight, paint and then decorate.

* Display your holiday cards in a festive basket or punch holes in the cards and string ribbon through them to hang around your home.

Shopping Wonderland
* Make a detailed shopping list of who you are buying gifts for. Set a dollar limit and the type of gift you would like to purchase next to each name. Total up the amounts and make sure you can afford what you are planning to spend. Once you fit the gifts within your budget, carry the list and stick to it while shopping.

* Save money while you shop by using credit cards with special holiday promotional offers. For example, if you sign up for the Shell Platinum MasterCard from Citi by Jan. 4, 2009, you can earn double rebates for the first 60 days, which means 10 percent rebates on Shell gasoline purchases for holiday travel and 2 percent rebates on all other purchases — such as holiday gifts.

* Spend a few minutes online at your favorite retailer’s Web site and search for Web deals. Some offer better prices and free shipping.

Give From the Heart, Not the Wallet
* Think outside the gift box and make creative and personal gifts. Easy and cost-effective ideas include baked goods arranged in decorative containers and themed gifts for those on your list such as the movie or pet lover.

* With large groups or family, draw names for gift-giving and set a spending limit. Giving one or two people a very nice gift is often better than giving many people a small gift.

* Make your own gift tags from last year’s greeting cards. Use scalloped scissors to create edging.

Most importantly, stop shopping once you have neared the end of your budget and you have purchased all of the items on your list. It is very easy to keep shopping with all of the retailer promotions during this time of year. It’s never too early to begin thinking about next year. Stocking up on decorations and gifts during the after-holiday sales will get you ahead of the game and help keep you within budget next year.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Fashion designer Erin Fetherston draws inspiration from LU biscuits as she sketches designs for limited edition LU packages, which will be available in 2009.

Tips from Fashion Designer Erin Fetherston

(ARA) – The holiday season is here, and with that comes parties and houseguests. And in order to create a memorable season, look for easy, festive ways to update your personal style in clothing, home decor and entertainment during the holidays.

According to fashion designer Erin Fetherston, “Creating a signature look will take your style quotient to the next level. Understanding your personal style will also help you take a creative approach to everything from your wardrobe and home decor to the way you entertain.”

Fetherston suggests using a place you love to draw inspiration. “After studying fashion design and living in France for several years, Paris has become a major influence for me both on and off the runway,” says Fetherston. “Using Paris as an inspiration is easier then you may think and can go beyond just fashion, influencing your overall personal style and tastes.”

For those looking for ways to incorporate a Parisian chic look into their own style, Fetherston shares her favorite tips.

Erin Fetherston’s Top Style Tips:

Create a signature look
“The ultimate luxury in fashion is to be yourself and celebrate your personality with a signature style, and personally I love the effortless elan of all things French,” says Fetherston. Set yourself apart by crafting an individual look — a simple item like a dress can be personalized in so many ways and can really take you anywhere. To tap into your signature style, create an inspiration board of your favorite magazine clippings and photographs for fresh, new ideas. Visit galleries and museums for even more inspiration from art, photography, fashion and design.

Pay attention to detail
An easy way to exude European sophistication is to offset your signature style with chic but unique accessories. Incorporate the eccentric glamour of Paris into your look for fall with extras like textured tights, cat eye glasses, wool berets and feathered headbands. A feminine pea coat or trench in luxe, unexpected fabrics like brocade and tweed will also elevate your singular style.

Entertain in style
Hosting a dinner party or entertaining in your home is a chic alternative to going out. Invite your friends over for a Parisian-themed dinner and make sure to have something savory and sweet on hand. For a tasty treat, try making your own crepes or chocolate eclairs. For those less domestically inclined or more time crunched, French biscuits and wafer cookies from LU, such as Le Petit Ecolier, are sure to be instant crowd pleasers. For a glamorous twist, coordinate your music with the setting and ask your guests to match their outfits to the Parisian theme as well.

Extend personal style to your home

LU biscuits’ signature offering, Le Petit Écolier, is a completely chic and decadently delicious French treat.

Your home is another expression of your sense of style, so make sure to think about your space just as creatively as you would think about your clothes. If you gravitate toward all things vintage and romantic for your wardrobe, extend this style to your home as well. Incorporate antique mirrors or a vintage-inspired rug into your decor for a chic effect and a touch of personal style.

Enjoy life’s little luxuries every day
Whether it’s your passion for a cafe au lait and French bread or your sweet tooth, find ways to enjoy the foods you love. Celebrate life’s little luxuries and savor the moment by enjoying your favorite treats, especially those that remind you of places you love. “Personally, I’ve always been captivated by all things French, and one of my French favorites are LU biscuits,” Fetherston says. “The signature LU cookie, Le Petit Ecolier, with its rich European chocolate and buttery biscuit, is a completely chic and decadently delicious treat.”

For more information on the “Chic Little Biscuit,” please visit www.lubiscuits.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Tip: Make sure to prep the skin by cleansing and exfoliating so that skin is smooth-textured and free of residue.

Women often look to red carpet events to get ideas to incorporate the latest trends in fashion and beauty into their holiday look. Unlike celebrities, most of us don’t have access to the stylists and makeup artists usually required to pull off these looks. But with the right beauty tricks and products, looking red-carpet ready at your next holiday party can be easy.

Head makeup artist for the Primetime Emmy Awards, Bruce Grayson, offers these tips and trends for getting that glamorous look for the holidays without spending a fortune.

1) Do Get Glowing
A 2008 Olay Skin Survey found that women rated a bad skin day as the most dreaded personal care crisis, dethroning a bad-hair day. Additionally, a good skin day was found to make women three times more confident. Therefore, it’s no surprise then that your skin can be your hottest accessory. Our favorite celebrities often have a perfect sun-kissed glow and it’s easy to achieve at home to help boost confidence.

The most important factor in achieving an all-over glow is moisturizing and getting even skin tone. Make sure to prep the skin by cleansing and exfoliating so that skin is smooth-textured and free of residue. Then use a product like Olay Definity Color Recapture that moisturizes and provides a hint of sheer, natural color. It also improves skin tone and texture over time by fighting fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations for more luminous skin. The color blends seamlessly with most skin tones and can be enhanced with your favorite blush or bronzer. Make sure to blend into the jaw line and hairline so that it looks natural.

2) Don’t Fear Falsies
When you want to look truly red carpet ready, nothing adds instant glamour like a set of false eyelashes. False eyelashes can be purchased in strips or as individual clusters. Apply a few of the individual clusters to the outside of half of your lid just above your natural lash. It will open up the eyes and make them pop in minutes.

3) Do Get a Stand-Out Smile
Have you ever seen an actress or model without a perfect smile? Your smile can be your most alluring feature if you frame it the right way. Make sure your teeth are a natural shade of white, not yellow or stained. Most celebrities go to their dentists for expensive whitening procedures, but at-home kits like Crest Whitestrips work just as well over time. Also, wear a lip color that compliments your skin tone and makeup. Rich berry colors look great on most women because they compliment the natural hint of berry that already exists in the lips.

4) Don’t Get Match Happy
Bright colored dresses are popular, but remember that your eye makeup shouldn’t necessarily match your outfit. If you’re wearing a bright colored dress, stick to sheer, light colored cosmetics like silver, pearl or gold tones. Shimmery shadows really brighten the eyes and give an overall luminous look. To help eye shadow last for hours, prep the eye with oil-free makeup remover and then blend all over the eyelid, contouring with a slightly darker shade in the crease.

5) Do Avoid Melt-Downs
Whether under bright lights on the red carpet or dancing with your friends during a night on the town, when the night heats up, makeup can melt off. Keeping your prettiness in place can be a challenge, but it’s possible. For starters, skip heavy foundation in hot humid weather and opt for a lighter tinted moisturizer or mineral powder foundation. Then, in the T-zone and any other problem areas, apply a primer that helps tame oil production. Next, consider cream eye shadows and cheek stains that blend into the skin and won’t melt off as quickly as powders. Finally dust a bit of translucent powder over your entire face to lock makeup in place.

For more information about looking red-carpet glamorous, visit www.Olay.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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“Research suggests that those people who are vulnerable to excess weight, gain more weight over the holidays,” says Karen Miller-Kovach, chief scientific officer of Weight Watchers International. “That’s not surprising given the increased stress, temptations and consumption of high-calorie and high-fat foods that come with the holiday season.”

It is possible to get through the holidays with your good intentions – and your waistline – intact. Here’s advice for dealing with some food-related obstacles commonly faced during this busy time.

Avoid the Party Binge

“Humans are social animals and eating is a very social experience,” Miller-Kovach notes. “That’s why we tend to eat more at parties – plus, holiday celebrations usually serve up a variety of treats that we don’t usually get throughout the year.”

Before you head out to a holiday party, dine at home on healthy fare that will keep you feeling full, like lean protein and fiber-rich vegetables. Curbing your appetite ahead of time will help you keep control at the party.

Go light on cocktails. Alcohol has a lot of empty calories. Opt for spritzers – sparkling soda water and some fruit flavors – as a healthful alternative to spirits.

The holidays can be a stressful time, and it’s tempting to “cope” by overeating at a party or even at home. Instead of turning to food for stress relief, try an activity that reminds you of the joys of the season like skiing or ice skating.

Be Mindful When on the Road

If you’re dining out a lot for the holidays, it may be hard to stick to your weight loss plan. But there are ways to minimize the damage of restaurant eating.

First, skip the appetizer. Appetizers are often fried and can pack more calories than the entree.

Second, watch out for calorie overload that’s caused by eating the entire portion normally served in restaurants. If you’re getting full, try not to clean your plate; eat only half of what you’re served and take home the rest.

If you’re taking long drives, avoid buying snacks along the way. Instead, pack your own goodies – like almonds, apples or even baby carrots.

Flying? Airport delays are common during the holidays and same goes here – plan ahead to avoid eating airport food and pack your own snacks so that you are in control. For instance, Weight Watchers subscribers can use tools like the new Weight Watchers Mobile, to help them track their food options and maintain their weight loss efforts while on the go.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Finally, nothing says “holiday spirit” like a gift food basket, but the truth is these favorites are often packed with empty calories. If you’re giving a gift basket, look for ones that offer more healthful items – such as fresh fruits. If you receive a gift basket, consider simply thanking the giver for their sentiment and then discretely re-gift the item to your local charity.

Once the Rush is Over

Once this hectic season passes, a scientifically-based approach to weight loss, such as Weight Watchers Meetings and Weight Watchers Online, can provide you with the tools and information you need to embark on a healthy lifestyle, lose weight and keep it off. Visit www.WeightWatchers.com for more information.

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Tip: Use a ladder or step stool instead of furniture to stand on.

“The most wonderful time of the year” sadly also is a time when thousands of people end up in the emergency room for injuries suffered during holiday decorating, winter sports and outdoor activities. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) offers a few important safety tips so you can enjoy the holiday season and celebrate safely.

“Common holiday season injuries can put a damper on any festive occasion,” says Rachel Rohde, MD, spokesperson for the AAOS and orthopaedic surgeon. ”We participate in different activities during this season than we do during the rest of the year. Skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling are fun sports but are not without some risks. Seemingly simple activities like carrying luggage or even walking outside to get your mail can be a disaster if there is ice on the ground.”

The hectic pace of the season can cause people to let their guards down, so before you climb that ladder to decorate your house or bring that snowblower out of the garage to clear the driveway, the AAOS recommends the following tips for a safe holiday season:

Avoiding Falls

* Don’t drink and decorate. Save your celebratory drink for after the lights are up and illuminated.

* Use a ladder or step stool instead of furniture to stand on when you need to hang objects higher than your reach.

* Select the right ladder for the job. Never exceed the maximum load capacity listed on the ladder. Make sure to inspect all ladders for loose screws, hinges or rungs that might not have been fixed.

* Set your ladder on a firm, level surface. Watch out for soft, muddy spots or uneven flooring and never place a ladder on uneven ground.

*Do not have children climb ladders to decorate; their balance and strength might not be well enough developed to prevent falls.

*Enlist a friend. Ask another adult to help stabilize a ladder to prevent falls and to assist you with your efforts.

Lugging Your Luggage

* Pack light and use luggage with wheels when traveling. Ask for lifting assistance when needed.

* Take your time and don’t rush when lifting or carrying a suitcase or heavy package. At the mall, minimize heavy loads by using a cart when available and by making frequent trips to the car.

* Always use proper lifting techniques. When lifting, bend at your knees and lift with your leg muscles, not your back and waist. Avoid twisting or rotating your spine.

Winter Sports

* Wear appropriate protective gear including goggles, helmets, gloves and padding.

* Warm up your muscles with light exercise for 10 minutes before starting your main activity. Remember to replenish fluids to prevent dehydration.

* Pay attention to the rules. Make sure all your equipment is in good working order and that you’re using it properly. If you’ve never participated in a sport before (such as skiing) take a lesson or two from a qualified instructor. Learn how to fall properly to reduce the risk of injury.

Snow and Ice

* Talk with your doctor before clearing the driveway and sidewalk of snow if you have heart or vascular conditions. Whether you use a snow blower or shovel, this heavy activity in bad weather can be very taxing on your body, particularly your heart.

* Never stick your hands in a snow blower. If snow becomes impacted in the machine, stop the engine and wait more than five seconds. Use a solid object to clear wet snow or debris from the chute. The snowblower blade is on tension and usually spins at least one more time once an obstruction is cleared; keep your hands and feet out of the way of that spin!

* Clear snow early and often. Begin when a light covering of snow is on the ground to avoid shoveling heavy, packed snow. Do not throw snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting motion that places stress on your back.

*Make sure you use salt or an alternative “de-icer” on the driveway, walkways, and porch, if necessary. A small patch of ice can result in a big injury.

* Wear proper footwear and pay attention to what’s in front of you. Ice can cause sudden and serious falls. If you find yourself falling, try to fall on your side or rear. Roll over naturally, turning your head in the direction of the roll.

* Drive cautiously. Allow plenty of time to brake as you approach stop signs and red lights and reduce your speed in hazardous conditions.

For more information on how to stay safe during the holidays, visit www.orthoinfo.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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