From getting your home ready for guests and finding the perfect gifts to preparing a delicious meal, the holidays can seem overwhelming and expensive. But they don’t have to be. Take the following steps to save time and money on seasonal essentials.

• Prepping your home To get your home ready for holiday hosting, begin by decluttering surface areas such as tables and kitchen counters. Next, take an inventory and purchase any additional cleaning supplies you’ll need for a deep clean. Remember, air care products like festive candles or sprays can freshen cleaned spaces. Next, decorate by sprinkling different holiday décor pieces in the rooms’ focal points. For example, add themed table settings in the dining room and wrap holiday garland around fixtures such as the fireplace mantle or staircase.

• Making the menu Food is a unifying component of any holiday celebration. To get started, set a menu that consists of a variety of appetizers, light snacks, side dishes, entrees and desserts to accommodate guests’ cravings and preferences. Consider using healthier variations of the season’s comforting and tasty dishes with recipes that include unique offers such as potato crusted chicken and a traditional green bean casserole. Before heading to the store, write your grocery list in advance and make a plan to purchase private brand products to stretch your budget further.

• Gift guide

Shopping for the perfect gift for everyone on your list can be easy when using a holiday gift guide. Consider placing three selfcare products such as soap, a face mask and a bath bomb into a decorative basket with tissue paper to shine on presentation. To have children of all ages jumping for joy, save on national toy brands wherever you can as a smart shopper.

For additional savings, use apps for digital coupons and periodic ads with new sales and promotions.