For me, Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. I always look forward to the holidays, and when they finally arrive, my house is decked out roof to floor in festive lights, wreaths, and decorations.
If you love Christmas as much as I do, and also enjoy learning new tips and tricks that can make it even better, stay tuned for the list of helpful hacks below.
1. DIY Holiday Ice Lanterns
To add a bit of whimsy to your front porch decor, create a lantern mould using two plastic bottles — one big, one small. Place the smaller bottle inside the larger one, and then fill the large bottle with water, greenery, and cranberries. Place everything in a freezer. Remove the smaller bottle by pouring hot water into it, and then cut the larger one away from your fabulously festive ice lantern! All that's left to do is throw in a flameless candle and set it outside.
2. Update A Fake Tree
While fake trees are great for people with allergies and those who just can't be bothered with the maintenance a real one requires, after a few seasons, they can start to look a bit dull and sparse. However, one crafty decorator figured out an easy and inexpensive way to fix this common problem. All she did was add a large, secondhand wreath in between each section of her fake tree! After a little bit of fluffing and adding some extra lights, the tree looked good as new.
3. DIY Cookie Packaging
The holidays are a perfect excuse to bake and participate in cookie exchanges. If you find yourself in need of a quick and easy gift wrapping idea for them, simply cover a Pringles tin with festive paper, place each cookie in a cupcake liner, and start stacking!
4. Candy Cane Place Card Holders
Candy canes look great on trees, but they're also a perfect crafting material. If you're hosting Christmas dinner this year, wow your guests by creating a personalized candy cane place card holder for each of them.
5. DIY Tiffany Bow
There's nothing prettier than a perfectly wrapped gift topped with a big, beautiful bow. And while tying an elaborate bow may seem daunting, once you break down the steps, you'll realize it really isn't all that difficult.
6. DIY Gift Bag
Strapped for bags for your last-minute gifts? Have no fear! You can fashion some out of wrapping paper and tape in no time. And the best part is that you can customize the size by simply using more or less paper.
7. Hang Lights With Glue
Believe it or not, you can use a few dabs of hot glue on things like brick and stone to hang Christmas lights — and you don't have to worry about damaging the surface in the process!
8. Ribbon Dispenser Hack
Use an old paper towel roll holder to organize all of the spools of ribbon that are taking up much needed space in your craft drawer. And you don't even have to take them off to unravel the ribbon, either! Just use the holder as a makeshift dispenser.
9. Wrapping Paper Storage Hack
Keep all of your wrapping paper out of sight and out of mind throughout the year by storing it in a plastic garment bag. FYI, you can buy these things at the dollar store, which means this hack is a win for both your home and your wallet.
10. DIY Gift Wrap Organizer
If you'd rather have your pretty wrapping paper on display instead of hidden away in the closet, you can easily make an organizer using an old picture frame, some cup hooks, and a few curtain rods.
11. Santa's Footprints
How amazing would it be to wake up on Christmas morning to find that Santa left a trail of snowy footprints in your home? I think this clever trick would make any kid smile.
If you want to give it a try, all you need is some glitter, baking soda, and a squirt bottle filled with water. Oh — and a pair of boots, of course!
12. Slow Cooker Melted Chocolate
There are few things worse than burnt chocolate, so it's something you really want to avoid. A quick and easy way to create the perfect melt is to let your slow cooker do all the work.
13. Bead Garland Storage
To prevent strands of beads from becoming a tangled, lumpy mess, store them in an empty water bottle. According to the creative mind behind this trick, each bottle should hold two whole strands.
14. Creative Storage Options
If you throw out the original packaging for your Christmas ornaments, get creative and use everyday things as alternative storage options. Whether it's an egg carton or an empty takeout container, they'll certainly help make post-holiday cleanup a bit easier.
15. The Mirror Trick
Finally, glue ornament hooks to small mirrors and hang them all over your tree. Doing so will create the illusion that you have more lights on it than you actually do!
Have you ever tried any of these hacks?
Tell us in the COMMENTS, and then SHAREthis list with others! Oh, and if you can figure out how to decorate a tree this quickly, be sure to let us know.
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