5 Helpful Holiday Tips We Wish We Thought Of Sooner!

Maximize time with family, minimize the stress this holiday season!

It seems that once October hits, it’s practically Christmas, and if we blink our eyes, New Year’s will be over too. With the crazy whirlwind of activities, parties, families, presents, and hosting duties, the holidays are here too soon and then gone even sooner. Take some time this year to slow down and enjoy your friends and family! Easier said than done, we understand. That’s why we have a few time and money-saving tips for you. Hopefully, these little holiday hacks will help maximize your time with family and minimize your time stressing out over the little things.

Easy Advent Calendar

Everyone loves advent calendars – kids and grandkinds, as well as adults, of course! Go ahead and make the easiest DIY advent calendar this year by grabbing a mini muffin tin, some candy, and round stickers big enough to cover up the openings in the muffin tin. Fill up the tin with candy, place stickers on top as well as number stickers, 1-24, and then hang it up! This is such a fun little treat to look forward to each day!

Hot Glue String Lights

We love hanging up Christmas lights around the house! The fireplace, the bookshelf, even the kitchen cupboards get a strand or two of soft white lights. While we love the look, we don’t love how difficult it is to get the dang lights to actually stay where we want them to be. It seems every year we block out what a pain it is to tape, nail, wedge, and carefully situate the lights until we have them just where we want them. This year, however, we’ve got a new trick up our sleeve – hot glue! Yes, you can add a dot of hot glue to just about any nonporous surface and stick your lights right up. When you’re done, just peel the little dot of glue off of the surface as well as the lights. Easy-peasy!

Tree Watering Hack

We don’t always get a live tree, but when we do, it’s always a battle to water the dang thing without knocking off a few ornaments, or worse, tipping the whole tree over! Instead of trying to fit a pitcher or a clunky watering can near the base of the tree, use a long wrapping paper tube to guide the water right where you want it. Brilliant!

Alternative Wrapping Paper

We’ve all been there – ‘Tis the night before Christmas, and all through the house… not a single scrap of wrapping paper, not even one for a mouse! Don’t run out to the store just yet. Try a few of these alternative wrapping papers on for size. You can use aluminum foil for a fun and flashy look or a paper grocery bag for a more rustic look. You can even grab some easel paper and have the kiddos color on it for a more personalized touch.

Snow Candle DIY

How cute is this?! Grab some pillar candals and paint on clear glue or Mod Podge. Then, roll the candles in epsom salt and let dry. These candles are the epitome of cute, crafty, and easy!

Get even more holiday hacks in the video below!

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