2015 Digital Holiday Survival Guide
Eight tools to make the most of the season
Feeling like the holiday season kicks off earlier each year? You’re not alone. Quartz estimated we’ll be seeing Christmas in July by the year 2097. This frenzied sprint can make you feel like you’re behind, even before the season has (officially) begun.
Atlantic Media Strategies is here to help you catch up. For the second year running, we’ve brought together the best tools, tips, and guides to get you through this holiday season with your wits intact. Don’t worry, we’ve given Thanksgiving its due, too.
1) Learn how to (really) carve a turkey
The Food Lab (via Quartz)
“Normally I’m skeptical of ‘weird old tricks’ but this one actually works. Especially for someone like me who is not a cooking expert, this tip from
J. Kenji López-Alt’s new cookbook makes turkey carving easy! TL;DR, start with the wishbone.”
— Joshua Lasky, Senior Manager, Digital Trends and Insights
2) Take down the stress level
Flux
“Make your life better with Flux—it really works! When you’re up really late (or just working past 5pm) it really takes the stress of the task at hand down, like, a thousand notches by adjusting the light coming off your computer screen.”
— Joan McGrath, Managing Director, Design and Development
3) Give back to others
Charity Navigator Holiday Giving Guide
“If you’re looking to give back this holiday season, this guide helps ensure your donations don’t end up with The Human Fund. There is a handy checklist of giving tips and a list of the highest- and lowest-rated charities for a variety of social issues.”
— Jason Tomassini, Senior Manager for Editorial Projects
4) Keep track of the digital clutter
Unroll.me
“If you want to get all of the holiday sales, but prevent your inbox from becoming overloaded, use Unroll.me to roll all of your subscription emails into one easy-to-scan email. It will let you check out everything in an all-in-one email when you are ready, and protect you from making too many sales-motivated impulse purchases.”
— Lymari Morales, Managing Director of Editorial
5) Get a crash pad for the holidays
HotelTonight
“Plan less. Live more. That’s the motto of the HotelTonight app, which offers great deals on hotels in your area for stays up to a week out. It’s the perfect thing to offer a last-minute guest visiting for the holidays.”
— Jim Walsh, Associate Director, Editorial
6) Learn how to photograph the holidays
Digital Photography School
“The holidays are filled with “photo ops” at every turn. From family dinners to decorating the tree to opening presents, not to mention the annual trip to Grandmother’s house (and a traditional sleigh ride or two for those in appropriate climates). This free guide is filled with 12 practical tips on how to capture the magic of the holidays and those memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.”
— Brock Meeks, Executive Editor
7) Get a holiday gift (card) for yourself!
Coinstar
“Round up all the loose change in the various corners of your couches and sock drawers, throw all the coins in a bag, bring them to a Coinstar machine (in most grocery stores), and cash them in for a gift card of your choice. Coinstar skims off a percentage (~10%) for turning your coins into cash, but converting them to a gift card has no surcharge!”
— Annie Feinberg, Marketing Manager
8) Deliver joy in a bottle
Tasting Room
“I’ve become a big fan of the personalized box service. Blue Apron, Birchbox, MM.LaFleur. At every moment of interaction with the customer (me), these brands work hard to deliver a unique editorial voice and an exceptional user experience.
When I read about Tasting Room, a modern take on the monthly wine club, I got pretty excited. It helps you explore what you like, only sends full bottles of what you want, and makes it easy to get smart about wine along the way. Sign up your hard-to-buy-for friends, and sign yourself up in time to wow at the office holiday party (Do I taste a hint of pencil?).”
— Jean Ellen Cowgill, President
From all of us at Atlantic Media Strategies, have a happy holiday season!
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