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Three clever ways to upcycle your Birchboxes for the holidays! 

How to Upcycle Your Birchbox: Holiday Edition

Made with whipping cream, sugar, eggs, and bourbonwhats not to love? How about the nearly 400 calories in a cup, all that saturated fat, and the impending food coma that comes after the second glass. Nobody needs to chase their prime rib feast with a beverage equal in calories to her meal. If youre a lover of this thick and decadent holiday treat, try this healthful eggnog smoothie version with all the same flavor you love, plus a boost of nutrition from banana and dates. Add a splash of booze for happy hour, or keep it sans spirits to swap it for your usual morning smoothie.

Why do we feel the need to create a casserole from such healthful, fiber-rich green beans and drown them in calories and fat? I guess thats what happens when you add a can of creamed mushroom soup and fried onions. Sigh. Try green beans with toasted garlic and save the creamy deliciousness for dessert. Youll love the modern and tasty take on the classic dishand so will your abs.

It's full of pecans and corn syrup and surrounded by a crispy, buttery crust. No wonder we love it! The good news: pecans are absolutely healthful and should be a part of your diet. But, keep in mind that ten halves are roughly 100 calories, so a little goes a long way. An average piece of pecan pie runs you roughly 500 calories and nearly 30 grams of fat. Rather than having all of that fat and sugar surrounding your precious pecans, let the nuts take center stage with a spiced pecan recipe that will totally wow your guests.

Because the marathon of festive feasts doesn't always have to come with an extra side of guilt. Nutrition expert Keri Glassman breaks down 3 healthful alternatives to traditional holiday indulgences.

We've got the smoky eye and bright lipstick part of the holidays down. The healthy snacking and mindful eating part? We're working on it. So, we asked Keri Glassman, founder of [Nutritious Life](https://nutritiouslife.com/), to share some tips for getting through the marathon of holiday feasts without the extra side of guilt.

Here, she breaks down how to prepare three traditionally high-caloric holiday dishes and drinks with a more nutritious (but still delicious!) twist.

Healthy Twists on Your Favorite Holiday Fare

Its possible to get away with only having one type of alcohol on handand if thats all you can handle, Eben Freeman, the Director of Beverage for AvroKO Hospitality Group, recommends cognac. Cognac is classy. You can sip it straight after dinner or make a cocktail before dinner, he says.

Its always good to have a few bottles of something sparkling on hand for last-minute festivities. Mitch Einhorn of Chicagos Lush Wine and Spirits suggests grower champagnes, also known as farmer fizz. "Made by the growers of the grapes themselves rather than the big champagne houses, these champagnes offer better quality at slightly gentler prices than the Veuves and Moets, he says. An affordable pick (around $20) is the Luis Pato Baga Bruto, a sparkling wine from Portugal.

Were fans of saving your stemware for more intimate affairs, but that doesnt mean you need to go the Solo cup route. Master sommelier Laura Maniec prefers glasses that can accommodate wine and cocktails for larger get-togethers. Her genius tip: Write guests name on them with a Sharpie and they can have them for the entire party. Don't worry, it will rinse right off in the dishwasher.

Punch is an easy and cost-effective crowd pleaser, especially when you serve it in something beautiful. Were obsessed with this vintage glass set from Etsy, but you can also repurpose a large serving bowl. As for a recipe, try this big-batch version of an Old Fashionedit will warm your guests right up.

In addition to being a fun way to add a bit of flare to your holiday soiree, coasters are a practical way to ensure that your guests protect your tabletops and furniture surfaces. Coasters can also help distinguish whose drink is whose, says Einhorn. These beautiful floral ones from Rifle Paper Co. will make even the simplest cocktail feel fancy.

If you want to get creative with your ice, weve got a few ideas for how you can step up your cube game. But, sometimes all a drink needs is a little ice (or whiskey balls!) to chill it down, says Einhorn. Masa Urushido, head bartender at Saxon + Parole, advises investing in different types of ice trays. Whether youre looking to make Kold Draft-like cubes or larger squares for Manhattan or Old Fashioned cocktails, having a variety of trays on hand keeps you flexible.

We asked some of our favorite bartenders, sommeliers, and all-around booze experts for easy tips to entertain at home and keep spirits bright.

We hate to add another thing to your holiday to-do list, but in addition to pulling out your sparkly frocks and hanging the mistletoe, its also the most wonderful time of the year to get your bar cart in order. If youre starting from scratch, dont fret. We asked some of our favorite bartenders, sommeliers, and industry experts to help give six easy tips for keeping spirits bright.

A Rookies Guide to Building an At-Home Bar for the Holidays

Are you on the dot? Check out our shopping guides for women, men, and yourself for all the inspiration you need to start checking off your list.

More off the cuff? Check out our article on our favorite way to shine this season and must-have holiday nail polishes. You've got plenty of time to shop! When you are ready, take a gander at our gift subscriptionsthey're the easiest way to give something super thoughtful at the last minute.

We teamed up with cool mom editorial site and network, Hey Mama, to help simplify your holiday shopping. 

On the Dot or Off the Cuff? Our Guide to Your Holiday Shopping Personality

Need some inspo for what to do with your beautiful monthly Birchboxes? Watch to see three unexpected ways you can upcycle them. Show us how you how you use 'em or if you recreate one of our upcycle ideas by sharing a picture with the hashtag #BirchboxDIY.

Love your beautiful monthly Birchbox boxes but don't know what to do with them? Watch this video for ways to repurpose them!

Theres something about the soft light from candles that makes everything immediately feel so peaceful. I love to have one lit when Im working at my desk at home, writing in my journal, or just reading in bed. Its soothing and fills the room with a delicious scent.

I love TOCCA's Candela, particularly in Cleopatra. Its a heavenly mix of grapefruit and cucumber. AH-MAZING! Not to mention, it's super clean and chic-looking anywhere in your home.

Do you love relaxing baths as much as Chandler from Friends loves baths? Me too.

To really turn my bathtub into an at-home spa, I use Level Naturals Lavender + Chamomile Bath Bombs. Lavender is my absolute favorite scent, plus its often used as a natural stress reliever. Added bonus!

I love the feeling of coming home and removing my makeup. I feel like Im removing all of the dirt, toxins, and even stress I encountered during the day. A trusted cleanser that easily removes makeup (even waterproof) and decongests pores? The balm-like EVE LOM Cleanser. Use it with a muslin cloth to exfoliate away dead skin cells while gently massaging your face. Whats left? Soft, smooth, relaxed, and clean feeling skin!

My latest obsession? Sheet masks! Its easy: Apply, take a few embarrassing pictures to send to friends, and get refreshed skin in just 10-20 minutes. Magic!

It seems social media has been recently flooded with celebrities like Chrissy Teigen using them to get ready before big red carpet events. I cant blame them! Not only are masks fun to wear and share on social media, they're also soothing and bring you major benefits. One tried and true face mask is the Este Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask. The PowerFoil allows the ingredients to quickly penetrate deep into your skin, so you only have to wear it for 10 minutes.

Are you more into gel masks? GLAMGLOW THIRSTYMUD Hydrating Treatment is a quick but powerful product for dehydrated skin. Just cleanse, apply, and leave on for 10-20 minutes for glowing complexion.

I do my weekly sheet masks on Sunday nights to wind down from the weekend and recharge for the week ahead.

There are the lucky few in life who fall asleep the second their heads hit the pillow. For the rest of us, who spend what feels like an eternity tossing and turning, try the thisworks sleep plus pillow spray. Just a few spritzes of this on your pillow before bed, and youll sleep soundly until morning. Seriously! This must-have for restless sleepers is motion activated to release a blend of pure essential oils throughout the night to help you get to sleep and stay asleep!

When my eyes need an extra boost of hydration (or to avoid puffy undereyes), I reach for Wilma Schumann's Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads. I put them on, grab a cup of tea, and let the eye pads work their magic as I sit back and relax (or scroll aimlessly through my phone). Little tip: Keep these in your makeup bag on big weekends away (e.g. weddings and bachelorette parties). They work wonders come morning time!

Get the R&R you need, all in the comfort of your own home.

As fun as it can be to hit happy hour after a long week, sometimes its more enjoyable to lounge at home and transform your space into your own relaxation sanctuary. Netflix and chill, party of one?
 Yes, please!

Since you definitely deserve a night to yourself, Ive gathered some of my favorite ways to unwind so you can get some much-needed R&R without leaving home.

How to Turn Your Home into a Relaxation Sanctuary