This smart device can be just the thing you need to make the holidays magical

Preparing for the holidays can be pretty stressful. Between shopping, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, organizing, and making sure you see all your friends and loved ones during the season, the holidays can often feel like a pressure cooker, with details falling by the wayside. You may find yourself an extra set of hands … or even a spare brain at times.

Until we do have the ability to clone ourselves, Amazon Echo with Alexa is the next best thing — and our favorite right-hand holiday helper. This smart device may not be able to do everything on your to-do list, but it's like having your very own elf, always at the ready to tackle your next holiday item and to take the stress out of the season.

Here are just some of the ways Alexa can help you have your best holiday season ever:

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Finding (and securing) the perfect gift

Let's face it — you're not going to come up with the perfect gift for your old college roommate or great aunt by thinking really hard. It's going to hit you when you're right in the middle of putting up decorations or baking cookies.

Rather than dropping everything and running the risk of breaking that heirloom decoration or burning the cookies, give Alexa a shout, and she'll find it on Amazon for you. Just by saying, "Hey Alexa, order," and whatever product you're looking for, and it'll be on its way. And if you have Prime, it will arrive in no time with two-day shipping.

Still weighing your gifting options? Ask Alexa make a list — one you won't need to check twice. Then, snag the perfect gift when you’ve had a chance to review your list.

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All that comfort food

What's the holiday season without a ton of food?

We each have our own traditions, but sometimes it's good to break the mold and start a new potluck tradition with your family and friends.

Kick it off by asking Alexa to find some new recipes to try out. Maybe you'll find a new cookie recipe, a twist on the turkey, or a whole new treat you've never even considered. And there won't be any need to fumble around with a cookbook or laptop — Alexa can walk you through the whole process while you get busy in the kitchen.

You can also say, "Hey Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes from now," to ensure that nothing burns. And if you don't know how many teaspoons are in a cup, Alexa can help you with kitchen conversion, too.

If you're more into getting your holiday party catered (we won't tell), this personal assistant can help with that, too.

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The tunes you want to hear

You know your uncle is going to ask you to play that one obscure carol he wants to hear every year once your party kicks into full gear. Surprise him by cuing it up in your playlist ahead of time. Just tell Alexa the name of the tune, and this smart device will find it without a hitch, hands-free.

You can easily adds songs to that ongoing playlist you've been building since Halloween, or create a new one for every seasonal occasion, by saying, "Hey Alexa, add 'All I Want for Christmas' to my Holiday 2017 playlist."

You can also ask Alexa to play music everywhere in your home, literally surrounding yourself with sound. Alexa will access multiple devices at once to create the marvelous experience.

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Setting that mood

If you have smart lighting that's compatible with the Echo and Alexa, you can customize lighting for each big moment in your celebrations.

Use soft light as people arrive and flow into the party, then have the colors change as the night goes on to set the mood. Turn them down as you light the tree or Menorah, or as you count down the New Year.

Set colored lights to go off at the stroke of midnight, and cue up a song to ring in the New Year while you're at it.

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Going out of town

For those who are being hosted instead of hosting, Echo and Alexa can still be of monumental use. Many people go away for the holidays, and that can obviously add a lot of stress to the mix.

Alexa can check the weather, traffic, or even a flight status for you, helping you to plan ahead and make sure you get to your intended destination safely and on time. Saying, "Hey Alexa, how's the traffic on the way to Grandma's?" before you head out can save you from a spirit-crushing traffic jam.

You can also ensure your home is as safe as possible with a compatible security or smart door lock system. And Alexa can make sure all your outlets and lights are switched off before you leave, too.

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Those last minute touches

Oh no. Did you just run out of wrapping paper at the 11th hour? Or did your partner decide they want to get matching plates, napkins, tablecloths, and cutlery just after the stores close?

No worries, because Alexa can get that for you. Amazon Prime gives you access to quick shipping, including same-day deliver on over a million items. So just call out, "Hey Alexa, re-order wrapping paper," and you can rest assured that you'll be wrapping again in no time.

Amazon Echo can be that magic little elf that makes all of your holiday needs happen more seamlessly. So give yourself an early gift this year, and get your own little helper for the season and beyond.