Staples Makes Less Stress, More Savings Happen This Holiday Season with Expert Advice from the Staples Holiday Council

Staples makes less stress, more savings happen this holiday season with the Staples Holiday Council, experts who will offer advice and tips throughout the holiday season on great gifts, new technology, amazing deals and easy ways to celebrate. The 2014 Staples Holiday Council members are:

• Michael Wurm (@InspiredbyCharm) – the interior designer, cook and crafter behind the wildly popular lifestyle blog Inspired by Charm.
• Chris Pirillo (@ChrisPirillo) – the entrepreneur, entertainer, tech enthusiast and self-proclaimed geek behind technology blog LockerGnome.
• Tara Kucykowski (@DealSeekingMom) – the savvy deal-expert behind Deal Seeking Mom.

The Staples Holiday Council will be joining @Staples for the #LessStress holiday kick-off Twitter Party on Thursday, November 6 at 1 p.m. EST. To help get you started, the Staples Holiday Council is sharing these tips:

Michael Wurm: How to throw a holiday party with less stress

• Keep it Simple - While we may want to plan the most elaborate parties, usually simple is best. Limit your menu, decorations, and even your guest list. With fewer things to plan, buy, and cook, entertaining becomes much less of a fuss.
• Make It Personal - When purchasing décor and supplies for your parties, mix in a few reusable items that you’ll want to keep for years to come. Personalize favors and décor with custom photo ornaments, patterned engineer prints and more with the help of Staples Copy & Print Center.
• Most Importantly, Have Fun - At the end of the day, this is a celebration. Enjoy it! Put on some happy tunes, grab a glass of wine, and savor this time with the wonderful people in your life. After all, that’s what the holiday season is really about. There’s no sense in entertaining if you can’t enjoy the party, too!

Chris Pirillo: How to find the perfect tech gift with less stress

• Identify the Must-Haves: Figure out what features your gift recipient wants from a product first – that will dictate your decision and they will like it more if you buy what they want.
• Test it Out: If you can, go hands-on with a product before buying it. At Staples, you can walk into a store and see if it looks as good in-person as it does on the web. They also have their helpful Staples® EasyTech associates to answer your questions.

Tara Kucykowski: How to make more savings happen this holiday season

• Let Others Do the Hard Work For You: Use deal bloggers (like Tara) as a personal shopping assistant. Check their sites frequently to find the latest and greatest deals or sign up for their email newsletters. Also check online as sites such as http://weeklyad.staples.com/staplessd?adref=PR for the latest deals. Staples.com also offers Daily Deals.
• Check for Coupons and Promo Codes: Don't ever hit submit on your online shopping without first doing a quick search for a coupon or free shipping code! These extra savings can turn a so-so find into something spectacular.
• Use Rewards Programs: By getting rewards you’ll carry those savings into your next purchase. The Staples Rewards program is a great place to start – members receive up to 5 percent back in rewards on everything including technology, plus receive FREE shipping from Staples.com.

Throughout the season Staples is teaming up with and compensating these experts to create the Staples Holiday Council and provide expert tips for holiday preparation.

About Staples:

Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online, on mobile devices, or through the company’s innovative buy online, pick-up in store option. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.