The holidays often seem to turn into a juggling act of epic proportions. This year, whether you’re hosting a Christmas dinner, having friends over to bake cookies, or bringing gifts to an office party, these tips from local experts can help make your festive season the best yet.
MICHELLE AVANT AND MARSHA QUARLES, CO-OWNERS, MARSHA’S SPECIALTY DESSERTS & TIERNEY’S CATERING
MARSHASSPECIALTYDESSERTS.COM, @MARSHASDESSERTS
“Include family and friends whenever you can to make baking less stressful — and don’t try to bake more than your schedule will allow.”
MARIA BAER, FOUNDER AND LEAD ORGANIZER, THE BAER MINIMALIST
THEBAERMINIMALIST.COM, @THEBAERMINIMALIST
“Try to wrap all of your gifts in a single sitting (or two), and if you take gifts to several different family homes (such as parents, in-laws, etc.), wrap each family’s gifts in the same paper so it is easy to spot packages under the tree as you load the car for each celebration. BONUS TIP: Take an inventory of your wrapping supplies at the end of the season and buy discounted materials for the following year so you have them on hand when you need them.”
LINDSEY COOPER, OWNER, ILC SALON
“Receive a last-minute party invite? A velvet scrunchie or bow will quickly glam up any look when going out for the holidays!”
JENNA UNRUE, OWNER, 4 BIRDS BAKERY
4BIRDSBAKERY.COM, @4BIRDSBAKERY
“One of my favorite holiday party activities is to have everyone bring two bottles of the same wine. It’s usually suggested to set a dollar limit so that the game is fair and choose a type (white, red, rose, sparkling, etc.). Open the first bottle (for sharing) and cover it up as much as possible. (Our friends have drawstring bags that go all the way up to the top of the neck for this). Then, give everyone a glass and a set amount of voting chips (poker chips, pieces of paper, whatever works). Everyone goes around and tastes the bottles and votes for their favorite, not knowing which is which. Whoever wins gets to take home everyone else’s second bottle!”
GINGER SMITH, OWNER, SNAP IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY
“If you are taking a family photo this holiday season, try to avoid overhead lighting, and for best effect, stand in a place where the light is consistent both behind and in front of you. Also, when you’re posing, lean your face slightly toward the camera — this is inviting and ultra-flattering.”
EMILY RISTINE HOLLOWAY, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SUMMER STOCK STAGE
SUMMERSTOCKSTAGE.COM, @SSSTAGEINDY
“I love the holidays — the lights, the music, the parties, the food. What’s hard is when the holidays are over and you’re still at home with your kids and school doesn’t start for another week. We can help! Join us on January 2, 2025 from 7 to 9 p.m. for Summer Stock Stage’s annual holiday open mic night. It’s a free event open to everyone in our community at our brand-new home — the Schrott Center for the Arts on the campus of Butler University. You’ll get to hear lots of amazing singers and also be the first to hear our 2025 summer season announcement. Admission is free. Hope to see you there.”
Stephanie Groves needs all the baking tips she can get.
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