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Are you new to home automation and looking for ways to use your Amazon Echo for the holiday season?
In this post, I will share different ways to have fun with your echo this holiday.
Since Thanksgiving is over, we can now officially get ready for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa
The first sign of the holidays usually retailers have started their sales for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Everyone is out shopping and the count has begun.
There are many fun things you can do leading up to the Holidays besides shopping and here are several fun things you can do with Alexa for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Before we begin,
What is Amazon Alexa?
Amazon Alexa is a voice-activated personal assistant that lets people speak with their Amazon Echo.
Alexa is designed to respond to several different commands and converse with users.
What is an Amazon Alexa Skills?
Alexa Skills are created to make Alexa smarter, tasks faster, easier, and more enjoyable for customers.
You can find more skills when you go to the search bar, click the drop box down menu, and select Amazon Skills as shown below.
Go to Amazon.com and select All on the drop-down menu
Select Alexa Skills from the drop-down menu
10 Ways to Use Your Amazon Echo for the Holiday Season
1. Christmas Radio
One of the most obvious things you can do is stream Christmas music.
Alexa can play all sorts of Christmas music and if you are an Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber or have Spotify Premium, you can play a list of Christmas songs, albums, and playlists.
There are also skills called Christmas Radio where you can play all sorts of music without any sort of subscription, you can also just ask Alexa to sing a Christmas Carol such as “We wish you a Merry Christmas”.
In addition to singing Christmas carols, it can also recite the night before Christmas in its entirety. You can also ask Alexa to play Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer a song by Robert May and Johnny Marks.
2. Christmas Lights
Looking to decorate the house for Christmas the “smart” way, just plug in any set of lights into a smart plug such as a WeMo Mini, and then you can say things like “Alexa, turn on the Christmas tree lights.” It’s easy and simple.
This can be done with any smart plug. You can schedule or create a routine in the Amazon Alexa App.
3. Christmas Sounds
You can also use the Christmas kind of skill which is just a random act of kindness that you can perform on those around you.
If you consistently listen to the same Christmas Songs on repeat year after year maybe try to Christmas sounds skill. This skill, once you enable it in the app will play dramatic Christmas sounds such as a copy of Christmas Candles and much more.
4. Track Santa
You can use Alexa Norad tracks Santa skill. Open the Alexa app, find the skill, and then just ask where is Santa? You will get an update on his location and Santa’s current status, you can also ask Alexa about any secret Santa files. Our kids’ favorite questions to ask Alexa,
- “Alexa, when will Santa be at my house?”
- “Alexa, can I get a fact from the Santa Files?”
- “Alexa, where’s Santa on Christmas Eve?”
5. Christmas Trivia
Finally, you can play Christmas Trivia with Alexa, who apparently knows quite a bit about the man in the big red suit. You can ask Alexa things like “Is Santa Claus real” or say stuff like “Tell me about Santa’s reindeer”.
- “Alexa, what do you want for Christmas?”
- “Alexa, how old is Santa Claus?”
- “Alexa, where does Santa Claus live?”
- “Alexa, what’s Santa Claus’ address?”
- “Alexa, what are the names of Santa’s reindeer?”
- “Alexa, is there a Santa?”
- “Alexa, do you believe in Santa?”
- “Alexa, sing me a Christmas carol.”
- “Alexa, open my gift.”
- “Alexa, Merry Christmas.”
6. Hanukkah Trivia
You can also play Hanukkah Trivia, this is a Jewish Holiday quiz to gain more knowledge about Hanukkah. This time of the year is not only a time for Christmas celebrations but also for the Jewish Festival of lights called Hanukkah.
If you are interested in learning more about Hanukkah or celebrating the holiday, this skill can help you learn more about the history and traditions of this event.
7. Winter Holiday Facts
Winter Holiday Facts trivia is a great way to learn more about Kwanzaa, and also about the celebration of other holidays. You ask Alexa random questions on facts about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa to your guests during dinner time.
8. Last-Minute Shopping
If you are a Prime user and running low on candy canes or need extra strands of Christmas lights, you can have Alexa order with Prime Now exclusive 2-hour delivery.
You can also stock up on holiday must-haves for your event.
9. Help Cooking That Special Meal in the Kitchen
If you have an Amazon Echo Show, get ready to have a helping hand in the kitchen, as you will have an opportunity to cook smarter. One skill you should definitely check out is Allrecipes.
This skill will give you a recipe of the day or you can simply ask “Alexa, Allrecipes what can I make with chicken and broccoli.”
Through the Echo Show, you can also maintain lists for shopping and a to-do list. All you have to do is ask Alexa to add items to your shopping list.
10. Set a Timer for Holiday Dinner
Preparing for a holiday dinner can be very exciting, but putting together a sensational multi-course meal for 15 is also nerve-racking.
Don’t worry, take a deep breath, Alexa can easily make things easier by setting multiple simultaneous timers for different dishes, and making your event fun and festive for the holiday evening.
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Enhancing Your Holiday Season with Smart Home Technology (Bonus)
As we look into the festive season, here are more ways we enhance our holiday experience using smart home technology.
Holiday Shopping Reminders
Set up reminders and to-do lists on your smart devices to keep track of holiday shopping and preparations.
Holiday Lighting Scenes
We use LIFX and Meross lighting strips behind our TVs to create festive lighting scenes that really set the holiday mood.
Smart Speakers and Displays
Our smart speakers and Echo Show play a crucial role in bringing the sounds of the holidays into our homes. Also, utilize smart speakers for hands-free control while cooking, allowing you to access recipes and set timers without touching a screen.
Smart Home Security
With our Ring and myQ devices, we ensure our home is secure, allowing us to focus on family and festivities without worry, especially useful for monitoring your home while visiting family or on vacation.
Smart Thermostats
Our Ecobee smart thermostat plays a crucial role in maintaining the perfect, cozy temperature during our holiday gatherings. To explore the full capabilities of the Ecobee and how it manages humidity and temperature for optimal comfort, visit our comprehensive guide here.
Holiday Themed Morning Routines
Every morning, as the kids trigger the motion sensor in their room, our speakers play “Spirit of the Season” from Polar Express. This beloved track has become a cherished part of our family’s holiday tradition, setting an exciting tone for the day.
This beloved tradition has been part of our family’s Christmas since the kids were young. We’re huge fans of “The Polar Express” movie, which has inspired us to get on The Polar Express Train Ride every November to kick off our holiday season with excitement and joy. This annual adventure beautifully sets the tone for our celebrations, weaving the magic of the film into our real-world festivities.
Energy Saving Tip
Using smart devices to save energy during the holiday season is both practical and economical. Opt for smart lights and energy-monitoring plugs to efficiently manage your energy consumption. For more insights on leveraging smart home technology to cut costs, check out our detailed guide, here.
This integration of smart technology such as the Amazon Echo Dot not only simplifies our lives but also enhances our holiday celebrations, making each moment memorable. It’s a tradition that brings us together, enjoying the magic of the season with every light that twinkles and every note that plays.
Conclusion
The Amazon Echo lineup continues to impress with its latest innovation, the new Echo (4th Gen). This new addition is perfect for managing your smart home and enjoying media, making it a popular choice during the holiday season.
Whether you’re a longtime Echo user or just starting out, the Echo Dot enriches your home with its versatile features. It’s an excellent gift or addition to any household, ensuring your holiday season is filled with convenience and joy.
Don’t forget to check out our recommended gadgets for the best tech for your buck.
For more useful tips and tricks with Home automation, please continue to check out AutomateYourCrib.com.
Until next time, Happy Reading!!
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It's great to see that you have come across my website. I hope you explore it thoroughly. The website caters to regular consumers who have an interest in home automation. I am based in the Tri-state area and enjoy the latest smart tech along with my wonderful wife and three energetic boys.
