It's the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season is an opportunity to take time out of our busy lives to celebrate with the people we care about most. It also comes with the pleasure (and stress!) of hosting. 

There’s a lot to think about, from grocery lists and shopping for gifts, to party planning and decorating. It’s exciting, but it can feel overwhelming at times. Luckily, American Express and the AIR MILES Reward Program have your back with some tips to help you hack the holidays. 

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Do your meal planning early and make your purchases count

Plan your menu, make a list and buy groceries a few days before your holiday get-together. If you need to purchase special items for your meals, do so early. You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute to find that ingredient that’s going to “wow” your guests!

Doing holiday shopping early or gradually can also help keep your spending in check. Holiday shopping often ends up being costly – but it doesn’t have to be. Keep an eye out for sales on your dinner menu items and earn rewards for each purchase made with the American Express® AIR MILES®* Platinum Credit Card.  For every $5 spent, Cardmembers earn 1 Mile on eligible food and drinks, so your trip to the grocery store can be enriched with rewards. You can also earn 1 Mile for every $5 spent on eligible gas and transit purchases, meaning every excursion is an earning opportunity!

Keep it simple

All that holiday shopping can be exhausting, and most of us don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen instead of enjoying time with our loved ones. While you may want to create one or two showstoppers, for most parties, it’s best to stick to simple, classic recipes. A charcuterie board with delicious cheeses, meats, nuts and dried fruits is always a hit, and can be prepared in advance.

Make your home welcoming

To give your holiday decor a polished look, stick with a maximum of two to three colours. Use the décor in your home as inspiration for your holiday colour palette. Consider using ribbons, greenery and candles as simple, beautiful holiday decorations. And those holiday decorations can bring you a little closer to that post-holiday vacation: with the Amex AIR MILES Platinum Credit Card, you earn 1 Mile for every $10 spent.

Forget the flaws

Don’t stress about things being perfect. Remember your family and friends will appreciate the effort and time you put into hosting them. Your holiday party doesn’t have to be fancy or formal for people to enjoy themselves. Instead, focus on creating an environment that’s cozy and comfortable. For example, consider abandoning the traditional multi-course meal for a casual, family-style dinner so your guests feel more at home.

Take the time to unwind

After all of that hosting and running around, you’ll need to take some time to unwind from the fast pace of the holidays. When your friends have left and the leftovers have been polished off, it’s a perfect time to book a well-earned getaway. And luckily for you, you can put Dream Miles you’ve racked up from all of your holiday shopping with the Amex AIR MILES Platinum Credit Card towards a flight or a package vacation! AND with the new Annual Travel Redemption Benefit, you’ll be awarded back Bonus Miles equivalent to 25% of the net number of Dream Miles used for your first eligible flight or package vacation redemption each calendar year (up to a maximum of 750 Bonus Miles) – making your next dream getaway that much closer!

We all want to make the most of the holidays and focus on what’s most important. With the American Express® AIR MILES®* Platinum Card, you can celebrate and make memories with family and friends while being rewarded along the way. The biggest holiday hack of all is embracing the true meaning of the holidays and not sweating the small stuff.

For full terms and conditions on the Amex AIR MILES Platinum Credit Card and all the benefits, click here.