You’re likely aware that Alexa can help make your life easier and more fun on any given day. For example, Alexa can keep you connected to loved ones, offer tons of entertainment, optimize your daily routines, and keep you in the know on important information. But did you know that Alexa can also help you be more festive this time of year?
That’s right! If you’re looking to up your game this holiday season, learn all the ways Alexa can help keep you organized, festive, and informed.

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Use Alexa to find great holiday recipes and help with your holiday cooking.

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Use Alexa to find great holiday recipes and help with your holiday cooking.
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Ask Alexa to start your holiday playlist.
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Have Alexa help you control your holiday lights.
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Keep track of your shopping lists and gift ideas.
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Have Alexa remind you of important tasks.
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Ask Alexa to help keep track of holiday travel schedules.
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Make your home smarter with Alexa.
1.
Use Alexa to find great holiday recipes and help with your holiday cooking.

Want help finding the perfect holiday recipe? Ask Alexa for inspiration or for specific recipes. Simply say “Alexa, show me side dish recipes” or “Alexa, show me holiday dessert recipes.” You can quickly search for recipes based on cuisines, ingredients, and even dietary preferences. You can also quickly ask Alexa to set multiple timers for different dishes or ask for quick measurement conversions like “Alexa, how many tablespoons are in a cup?”

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Ask Alexa to start your holiday playlist.

You can simply say, “Alexa, play holiday music,” and let your device DJ with one of many holiday playlists. Songs range from contemporary hits to timeless classics. If you want something specific, just ask.

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Have Alexa help you control your holiday lights.
An image of a woman in a Santa hat smiling while holding a gold ornament on a Christmas tree lit up in front of her.

Adding a touch of holiday magic is easy with Alexa Routines and connected smart home devices. Simply use smart plugs to make regular string lights and other electronic decor work with Alexa. Create an Alexa Routine that can automatically turn your connected string lights on, light up the Christmas tree, and start a holiday playlist to get your home in the holiday spirit without you having to lift a finger.

4.
Keep track of your shopping lists and gift ideas.

Create one easy, organized destination for all of your shopping lists—whether they’re filled with gifts or a never-ending list of groceries for your upcoming holiday party. Ask Alexa to add gifts to wish lists as the ideas come to you, and retrieve them later from anywhere using the Amazon or Alexa App for easy reference. If your holiday plans include lots of food, ask Alexa to add holiday necessities like milk, eggs, and cookies to your grocery list or just reorder household staples such as paper towels.

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Have Alexa remind you of important tasks.
A man holds a baby in their home. He sets down the baby's toy on a console where an Alexa device sits.

Offload your calendar and your lengthy to-do list to Alexa by setting reminders for important tasks or events, like when you need start cooking the Thanksgiving turkey or when you need leave to pick up a family member from the airport.

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Ask Alexa to help keep track of holiday travel schedules.

Add calendar events to your Echo Show device for when friends and family plan to arrive for the holiday and set reminders on when you need to head out the door to pick them up, so Alexa can keep you on track. Ask Alexa for traffic updates like “Alexa, how long will it take to get to Newark Liberty International Airport?” to ensure your drive to the airport is seamless.

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Make your home smarter with Alexa.

In addition to connecting holiday lights to your smart home devices, you can connect your other smart home devices to Alexa, as well—like your Ring camera doorbell or smart lock. As guests arrive for your holiday party, you can ask, “Alexa, who is at the door?” or “Alexa, open the front door” if your hands are full.

For more ways you can use Alexa devices, browse Alexa’s skills.