This post is sponsored by Shipt but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
I Host the Holidays Every Year—This Is My Best-Kept Secret for Staying Sane
For the past five years, my house has been the unofficial headquarters of every major holiday. Thanksgiving? Here. Noche Buena? Definitely here. Hosting is something I dreamed about long before I had a home of my own. After leaving most of my family in Puerto Rico at a young age, the holidays always felt a little quiet. So when I started building my own big, blended family—my Puerto Rican side with my husband’s Mexican and Cuban sides (plus a few honorary members who just love to eat)—I promised myself that our home would be filled with people, noise, and good food. And trust me: We deliver on all three.
My hosting style is casual and lively, but I still love making things beautiful. I’m the mom who designs her own invitations on Canva, adds greenery to anything that sits still, and believes twinkle lights are a year-round decor category. But here’s the not-so-aesthetic truth: As my kids get older and life gets busier with work, school, doctors’ appointments, and holiday shopping, the prep part of hosting has become the most stressful to-do on my list. However, earlier this year, a friend suggested I try using Shipt for same-day delivery, and I expected maybe a slightly upgraded version of my usual grocery run. What I ended up with was a complete shift in how I prepare for the holidays.
Source: Steph Alleva Cornell
The secret to calmer, happier holidays: Shipt same-day delivery
If you haven’t used Shipt before, here’s the quick rundown: Shipt connects customers with personal shoppers who deliver from a wide range of national and local retailers. That means groceries, household essentials, gifts, craft supplies, pet needs, and basically anything else you can think of can all be delivered with Shipt the same day, depending on location and store hours. You can shop from places like Albertsons, Target, Michaels, PetSmart, and so many others.
But what really sets Shipt apart—and what really makes it my hosting season lifeline—is the level of care from the shoppers with Shipt. You text directly with your shopper, so substitutions, clarifications, and “Oops, I forgot one thing!” moments all get handled thoughtfully. My favorite example (and the moment I became a ride-or-die Shipt fan): I once ordered a bra that happened to be out of stock. My shopper was so personable and helped me find a new style in my size with zero awkwardness. I literally felt like I was talking to one of my girlfriends about the woes of bra hunting rather than a stranger. And she’s not the only shopper with Shipt that’s gone above and beyond—in fact, I’ve never been assigned one that doesn’t.
Plus, as a Latina who often buys ingredients that not every store carries—or that not everyone knows how to choose—being able to make special requests and answer questions in real time is priceless. I can add notes like “medium-ripe plantains,” or “red top adobo only,” and my shopper delivers exactly what I need.
This holiday season, Shipt has given me something I haven’t felt in years: breathing room. Instead of making my husband run to the store every time I forget extra drinks (which is always), we can stay home prepping table decor while a thoughtful shopper handles my list. Instead of standing in long lines with impatient kids on a Saturday, we’ve been actually enjoying our weekends. And during holiday parties, I’ve had same-day essentials (extra drinks, paper towels, you name it) show up at my door to bail me out when plans inevitably shift. A few real-life hosting moments where Shipt saved the day:
Emergency pantry restock: Right before the biggest cooking day of the season, I realized I was somehow out of adobo seasoning. A shopper with Shipt had it delivered before I even took out the pot.
Craft-supply situation: My kids wanted to make holiday cards for their cousins a day before they were coming to town. Instead of abandoning my meal prep, I ordered markers and cardstock from Michaels and kept it movin’.
The guest list that magically expands: If you’re Latino, you already know: RSVPs are a suggestion at best. Every year, my husband invites someone new 24 hours before the party because they happened to mention they didn’t have plans. Shipt’s same-day delivery has saved me more times than I can count with extra plates, utensils, or even backup dessert ingredients all arriving just in time.
And now that Shipt’s Season of Savings is happening from November 16 to December 28**, I get member-exclusive deals while I’m shopping for groceries. This is also such a valuable service to have way beyond December. From sick-day supplies to birthday party prep, dance-recital emergencies, and “oh no, we ran out of dog food” afternoons, Shipt is the service I wish I had known about years ago. Hosting will always be a lot of work—but it should also be joyful. Using Shipt has allowed me to spend more time with the people I love, soak up the moments I used to miss, and fully enjoy the holidays I work hard to create.
Since becoming a young mama in 2020, Steph has found joy in creating beautiful yet relatable content surrounding the raw realities of motherhood. She believes showcasing both the wonders and struggles of being a parent helps other mothers understand that they are not alone in their journey.
As the Branded Content Editorial Assistant, McKenna collaborates with our sales team by creating both written and social media content, collecting and analyzing performance data to report back to our partners, and assisting our editors with their everyday tasks to ensure a smooth and productive process.
*Offer valid 11/2/25 through 12/2/25 and expires at 11:59 p.m. HT. Annual membership will renew at the standard membership rate at the end of the first year. Cancellation available free of charge anytime. Offer will automatically apply at checkout. Offer is subject to Shipt Promotion Terms and Conditions. Deliveries under $35 with a membership will incur a $7 fee. All orders with alcohol (where available) may incur a $7 alcohol fee. Service fees may apply and will vary by retailer and location. See Terms of Service.
**Season of Savings is valid 11/16/2025 – 12/28/2025 at 11:59 p.m. HT. Promotion terms vary and are subject to change. Promotions not valid for orders that contain alcohol items. Offer is subject to Shipt Promotional Terms and conditions. See associated promotions and terms here.
This post is sponsored by Shipt but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
