With the holiday season in full swing, retailers are slashing prices on the best smart plugs we've tested. Smart plugs are especially useful during the holiday season because they can control, schedule, and monitor energy usage for basic outlet-driven devices like Christmas trees and decorative lights. I have used smart plugs for years to decorate my apartment and keep a remote eye on it while traveling out of state to visit family.

Whether you just got a shiny new smart plug on sale or one that has been sitting at home, there are so many things you can do with a smart plug. Here are seven unique ways you can use this little plug to make a big impact in your everyday life.

From festive lights to fog machines, you can plug in seasonal decorations and control them remotely or on a set schedule. For example, a Christmas tree can be programmed to automatically turn on during the day and turn off at bedtime. Multiple smart plugs can manage more complex props such as animated statues, Christmas villages, and even inflatables.

When leaving the house to visit out-of-state family, connect floor lamps, an old-school FM radio, and the living room TV to the smart plugs. Using a smart home app, each device can be scheduled to turn on and off at different times. This way, gadgets can be activated in multiple rooms, creating the illusion that the house is occupied and deterring would-be thieves.

If you purchase a smart plug with energy monitoring, you will know exactly how much power each connected device is consuming. The most power-consuming decorations and appliances can then be set to shut down completely when not in use. You would be amazed at how much power a cartoon statue or a light consumes in a day.

Dumb appliances such as old fans, heaters, and air purifiers can be integrated into a smart home setup using smart plugs. For example, they can be directed to a smart assistant to turn on, automated to run under certain temperature conditions, or activated before coming home to enter a clean and cool environment. These devices can be scheduled to activate before bedtime to create a cozy place for visitors.

Similar to the appliance tip above, simply connect your coffeemaker to a smart plug, set the water and grinds the night before, and leave the pot on. Set it to turn on five minutes before your alarm goes off and it will automatically brew a fresh pot of coffee. Conversely, if you set up a diffuser of essential oils in the smart plug, you can fill your guest room at night with the scent of lavender or peppermint to relieve fatigue.

Schedule specific lamps or colored smart lights to turn on or off at specific times to remind you to take certain actions. For most people, this could be reminding them to take their medication or flashing this light to take the trash can out to the curb the night before trash day. However, if you have young children who are enamored with the tradition of the "Elf on the Shelf" doll, you can set the light to discreetly remind them to move the doll after they go to bed.

Grow lights for indoor plants, from poinsettias to cacti, can be connected to a smart plug to regulate how much energy they receive. By setting the time the lights are on and off, the system can simulate the natural environment necessary for plant growth. With an electric watering system, the system can be scheduled to release a few milliliters of water to maintain soil moisture and health.