WRAPPERS DELIGHT WITH REAL SIMPLE

Real Simple is THE go-to resource for inspiring ideas and practical solutions that make life easier. So it’s no surprise that the December issue has you covered with inspiring, surprising, time-saving, stress-reducing, jolly-good ideas to make these holidays the happiest ones yet.

Starting with decidedly out-of-the-box ideas for holiday wrapping. From sparkly and festive to merry and bright the December issue features a dozen decidedly out-of-the-box ideas for holiday wrapping and they all start with a simple roll of kraft paper. 

This year make your wrapping as special as the gift itself. 

Y'ALL IT'S HOLIDAY TIME WITH SOUTHERN LIVING

In the south hospitality and entertaining is a science. Last minute company? Lovely to see you, doll! Extra guests for dinner? Come on in, and grab a gimlet! Impromptu dinner party? Pull up a chair! In the south, people know how to entertain and when it comes to Christmas, no one does it better than the South’s most trusted source, Southern Living.

We spoke with Southern Living Editor-at-Large, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman for entertaining, decorating and gift-worthy goodies. She also gave us her key tips for hosting any holiday party including:

1- Welcome Guests with a Refreshment. Never have empty-handed guests. Set up a bar or serve-yourself-style drink station that’s visible (or communicated) as guests arrive.

2- Choose Tunes Thoughtfully. A great playlist keeps things hopping, even during lulls between crowds. Make it long (at least 2 hours) with a mix of popular songs people can hum along to, holiday tunes and few classics sprinkled into the mix.

3- Pick a menu with dishes served at a variety of temperatures (cold, room temp, and hot) Minimize foods that have to be piping hot, opting instead for items you can keep warm in low-temperature oven.  Better yet, use a stylish slow cooker or chafing dish on your buffet.

4- Place little nibbles around the house. Scatter bowls of nuts and olives or other appetizers around your home. This gets guest moving from room to room and helps prevent traffic jams at the bar and buffet.

5- Invest in party rentals. You might be surprised to learn how affordable it is to rent plates and glasses.  Consider the small added expense against the convenience of not having to clean all of your own dishes afterward.

From entertaining and decorating, to gift-worthy goodies, Southern Living is the ultimate holiday helper.

THE SKINNYTASTE COOKBOOK: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor

As a busy mother of two, Gina Homolka started Skinnytaste.com when she wanted to lose a few pounds. She started skinny-fying her favorite meals so she could eat happily while still losing weight, quickly establishing Skinnytaste as the number one go-to resource for slimmed-down recipes that you’d swear are anything but.

In the her wildly anticipated debut cookbook, The Skinnytaste Cookbook: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor Gina Homolka gives her fans exactly what they want: 150 easy, flavorful recipes that are miraculously low calorie and made from all-natural, easy-to-find ingredients. With 125 all-new dishes and 25 must-have favorites, it takes only one look to see why people go crazy for Gina’s food.