8 Tasks to Delegate During the Holidays for a Stress-Free Season

The holiday season may be full of joy, but it’s also packed with responsibilities. From work to social events, family gatherings, and everything in between, you might feel stretched thin. The good news is, you don’t have to handle it all alone. Here are several tasks to outsource so you can enjoy what truly matters this time of year.

Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping during the holidays can be a real hassle. Long lines, an overwhelming array of choices (do you really need peppermint-flavored hummus?), and crowded aisles can make you want to ditch your cart and head home.

Whether you go with Instacart or Amazon Fresh, the added cost of these services can be worth it to save time and reduce stress. If you’re on a tight budget, many stores, including Target, offer free pickup—order online, and they’ll bring your groceries right to your car.

Wrapping Gifts

There’s something special about receiving a beautifully wrapped gift, but doing it yourself can be time-consuming and tricky. Luckily, many retailers, like Revolve, Charlotte Tilbury, Amazon, Bloomingdale’s, Kendra Scott, and Tory Burch, provide free or affordable gift-wrapping services. Save time and make your presents stand out this year.

Sending Holiday Cards

Who has the time to write holiday cards, buy stamps, and mail them out? Luckily, outsourcing this task is a breeze. Several sites, like Postable, Snapfish, and good-old Hallmark, allow you to purchase cards and have them sent directly. Don’t waste an envelope or a second this season.

Cooking

Some people are like Julia Child in the kitchen, whipping up gourmet meals from scratch and perfecting every little detail—but what if you’re not one of those people? It’s much easier to enjoy the company of your family and friends without stressing over cooking if it doesn’t bring you joy.

Consider asking your favorite restaurant to cater your gathering, even if it’s just for a small group. Arrange the food on beautiful platters and bowls, and your guests won’t notice the difference—they’ll simply enjoy the meal and the time spent together.

If eating out isn’t in the budget, Trader Joe’s offers a variety of crowd-pleasing frozen prepared foods that you can quickly reheat in the oven. Who can resist a warm samosa or pigs in a blanket?

Cleaning Up

Cleaning up is the least enjoyable part of hosting. While it’s manageable for a few extra guests, it can become overwhelming when you’re entertaining a larger crowd. Consider hiring someone to handle the cleanup. Services like Taskrabbit or local high school and college students looking to earn extra cash are great options.

Creating Tablescapes

If you dream of having a picture-perfect tablescape that gets hundreds of Instagram likes but don’t have the time to design one yourself, renting one might be the solution. While it’s an additional cost, renting a beautifully set table can elevate your at-home dinner party to a sophisticated event.

Companies such as Table + Teaspoon and Hestia Harlow provide everything from plates and utensils to tablecloths, candles, glassware, and more. And the best part? No need to do the dishes or laundry afterward—just pack it all up and send it back.

Pet Sitting

With holiday preparations taking up so much of your time, it can be difficult to give your furry friends the attention they deserve. Hiring a pet sitter or dog walker can help you carve out more time to manage your other holiday tasks. If you're traveling, a pet sitter who stays at your home or takes your pets to theirs can reduce your stress.

Maintaining the Yard

Tasks like snow removal or leaf raking can also be outsourced to ensure your outdoor space stays neat, inviting, and safe for guests (especially free from ice hazards). Lawn care can be physically taxing and time-consuming, so hiring someone through TaskRabbit or similar platforms might be just what you need to save time and effort.