# 297 Holiday Tips and Tricks to Stay Sane: Interview with Marcella Valladolid
Are the holidays stressing you out with endless to-do lists, decorating, and 
cooking? Do you wonder how to make this time joyful for your family without losing your sanity?
In this episode of Power Your Parenting: Moms of Teens, Colleen O’Grady invites chef, designer, and mom Marcela Valladolid to share her best tips for staying sane during the holiday season. Together, they tackle how to let go of perfection, manage holiday stress, and create a warm, joyful environment for your family. Marcela emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, embracing simplicity, and focusing on the energy you bring to your home during the holidays. She also offers practical tips for cleaning, entertaining, and even engaging reluctant teens.
Marcella Valladolid is an Emmy nominated chef, television personality, designer, and author.
Author and mother. She has hosted shows like Food Network’s The Kitchen and Mexico Made Easy and written five best selling cookbooks. As a busy mom of three, she is also a master of cleaning up after kitchen messes, which is why she now serves as the cleaning ambassador at Pinulin, Chloralyn and Ensueno Laundry.
Marcela highlights the importance of letting go of unrealistic expectations. Instead of striving for a picture-perfect holiday, focus on the feelings and memories you create. Practical advice includes starting holiday prep early, sticking to recipes you know well, and cleaning as you go to avoid feeling overwhelmed. For entertaining, she suggests menus with forgiving dishes like casseroles or lasagna, which can be prepared ahead of time, and setting a formal table to make any gathering feel special. Marcela also shares creative ideas, like adding games or piñatas with prizes, to engage teenagers and make the holidays more fun for everyone.
Three key takeaways: First, your energy as a mom sets the tone for the holidays—prioritize joy over perfection and trust that your efforts are creating lasting memories for your family. Second, practical planning, such as cleaning high-traffic areas in advance and delegating tasks to your partner or guests, can make the holidays far less stressful. Finally, remember that teens might not always show enthusiasm, but the love and effort you put into the season will resonate with them over time.
Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chefmarcela/
Learn more at casamarcela.com
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