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How to Maximise Weekends

6 Ways to Make Your Weekends More Rewarding

Getting to the weekend is an uphill climb, so we've partnered with Gallo Family Vineyards to help you love every minute of it.

Ah, the weekend. We long for those precious 48 hours (plus all-important Friday night) for five days straight, but it's all too easy to wake up on Monday morning and wonder where it all went. A weekend spent relaxing is far from a weekend wasted, but the satisfaction of knowing that you maximised every minute takes just a little effort — which more than pays off. From catching up with friends in a meaningful way, and relaxing with a refreshing glass of Gallo wine, to tackling that DIY project that you pinned ages ago, here's how to wake up on Monday more than ready to face the week.

Catch Up With a Friend

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Image Source: ©2018 Gallo Family Vineyards, Modesto, CA. All rights reserved.

Technology makes it easy to stay in touch with friends, but it's easy to mistake the regularity of texting, tagging, and socialising on apps for true communication. Think of your favourite people, then ask yourself, when's the last time you had a face-to-face conversation with them? If you can't remember, it's time to grab a bottle of Gallo White Grenache, and schedule some real time! If you aren't in the same location, use technology to your advantage and set up some face time on your laptop or smartphone. However you arrange it, there are some conversations that just can't and won't arise without going the extra mile, and the effort of putting aside some quality time will strengthen your relationship. Cheers to that.

Complete a DIY Project

If you've never been the handy type, the prospect of DIY can feel a bit like work — and didn't you just do that for five days!? But believe it or not, immersing yourself in some arts and crafts, or addressing a nagging repair in your home, is relaxing. That sense of achievement goes a long way when the alarm goes off on Monday morning, and unless you plan on painting the ceiling, there's no stopping you from indulging in a glass of Gallo's Chardonnay, a rich white wine with flavours of peach and hints of honey and vanilla.

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Image Source: ©2018 Gallo Family Vineyards, Modesto, CA. All rights reserved.

"That sense of achievement goes a long way when the alarm goes off on Monday morning."

Change the Scenery

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Image Source: ©2018 Gallo Family Vineyards, Modesto, CA. All rights reserved.

Taking a break from the ordinary makes the weekend feel longer. Let's face it, binge-watching films is fun, but it doesn't exactly create special memories! Wherever you live, switching up your perspective and location for at least a few hours pays mental and emotional dividends, so if it's available to you, head to the nearest beach and take a stroll on the sand. City dwellers, find a quiet nook in a park, turn your phone off, take out a book and enjoy a picnic. Try a crisp salad with a refreshing glass of Gallo's Pinot Grigio or a Summery dessert like peach cobbler paired with White Grenache. Whatever you choose, remember that you'll be back in the office soon enough and go create a memory that will make you smile.

Try a New Recipe

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Image Source: ©2018 Gallo Family Vineyards, Modesto, CA. All rights reserved.

Despite best intentions, midweek cooking isn't usually when we step outside of our culinary comfort zones and try something new. But the weekend is a time to experiment, with life in general, so think outside the box our recipe for pizza in a mug!

Ingredients: 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1/8 teaspoon baking powder, 1/16 teaspoon baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon marinara sauce, 1 generous tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese, 5 mini pepperoni (or your preferred choice of toppings), 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil or oregano will work).

Directions: Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a microwavable mug. Add in the milk and oil and mix together. Spoon in the marinara sauce and spread it around the surface of the batter. Sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni, and dried herbs. Microwave for 1 minute and 10 to 20 seconds, or until the pizza batter rises up and the toppings are bubbling. Enjoy straight away!

The recipe's pepperoni and Italian herbs are perfectly complemented by Gallo's full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. It has just a hint of oak, plus rich blackberry and black currant notes, so who needs dessert!?

"The weekend is a time to experiment, with life in general."

Host a Get-Together

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Image Source: ©2018 Gallo Family Vineyards, Modesto, CA. All rights reserved.

Midweek happy hours have their place, but for homebodies at heart, the weekend is a chance to bring the party to you. Not every gathering with friends has to be an overly formal dinner party, so grab a few bottles of Gallo wine like the luscious and fruity White Grenache, the crisp and floral Sauvignon Blanc, or the bold Cabernet Sauvignon and make it a casual group effort. Assign everyone a snack, course, or dessert, so all you have to do is bring the tablescape, wine glasses, and witty banter.

Make Sunday Special

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Image Source: ©2018 Gallo Family Vineyards, Modesto, CA. All rights reserved.

The Sunday scaries are real, but if you give into them, you are effectively throwing away half the weekend! Instead, make Sundays something to look forward to by filling the day with the activities you miss most during the week. If it's just not the weekend without a movie marathon, do it in the morning as you slowly come to life, leaving you plenty of time to prepare a special dinner. Break out a cheese plate and a bottle of Gallo's Merlot (a perfect pairing, with flavours of black fruits and raspberry), set the table, and share a meal with your partner or a friend, with the explicit challenge that nobody can mention Monday. That's coming soon enough, and you'll have no regrets.

"Make Sundays something to look forward to."

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©2018 Gallo Family Vineyards, Modesto, CA. All rights reserved.

Image Credits: ©2018 Gallo Family Vineyards, Modesto, CA. All rights reserved.