It's the most wonderful time of the year, so don't let the stress of anticipation and planning get the best of you. We've rounded up the 25 most life-changing hacks to get you through the festive season. From wrapping tricks to apps that organise gift lists, these tips will surely bring you holiday joy by saving you time, money, and unnecessary tasks.
Who needs gift tags? Assign each person a different colour of wrapping paper to ensure there is no confusion. This way, you save time and avoid an extra step of writing down each name, and everyone is happy.
Lists are so last year. Before heading to the supermarket, snap a picture of the inside of your fridge. You will thank yourself later when you have a visual image of what you already have and what you need.
Cooking spray is the key to getting out of your house after snow has fallen. Why? Spraying it on the shovel helps you dig through the snow quicker and prevents the snow from sticking to your shovel. Wet snow can be heavy and hard to move, so this hack should do the trick.
To avoid prices increasing over the festive season, clear your computer's browsing history, cookies, and cache when searching online. Booking sites may track how many times you visited the site and searched a route, and automatically raising prices of that flight. Clearing your browser will make it look as if it's your first time visiting the website. Check out more travel tips and tricks here.
With a little tape, you can master your own nail art for the festive season. First, paint a full set of solid-coloured nails and let it dry. After that, cut tiny strips of tape and place them wherever you'd like. Finally, fill in the shapes with another colour, such as gold or silver.
Keep your gift lists organised with phone apps such as Santa's Bag. You can set a budget and create lists for each member of the family, including the cost of each item and which shope or online store you want to buy it from.
Craft together some adorable name-card holders for your guests by using festive candy canes. Take three to four candy canes, wrap them together upside down, and attach your paper name cards to them for a simple place setting that the whole family will enjoy. Get the DIY here.
Avoid messy rips by utilising double-sided tape on your gifts this year. Is your paper overlapping? Use the tape to hide it. Your present will look professional in no time.
Flying to visit family for the Christmas holidays? Make sure to pack the wrapping paper and the presents in your checked luggage to avoid rips or wrinkles. This saves you time and the hassle of having to rewrap the gifts.
It's super easy to create your own family Christmas card. Even if you're not creative, photo editing sites such as Canva can assist with free layouts and designs, making it easier than ever. Simply create your card online and print it at a local store.
Decorating biscuits can get messy and stressful, especially with children. Try loading condiment containers with the icing so that it's easy to squeeze on and there's less to clean up after. The kids will have fun icing the biscuits with it, too!
Who doesn't love saving money? By using tinfoil, you can create a fun decoration without breaking the bank. Cut out stars, hearts, and more to be topped off with the foil for a shimmery touch. It also makes the perfect tree topper.
With everything from ribbons to bows, the holiday season usually includes several different types of decorations. When wrapping several presents, it's important to stay organised in order to stay sane. Using a paper towel holder to organise your ribbons is a hack worth trying.
If you're searching for a flight or booking a long train journey during the festive season, the best prices are typically found on Monday-to-Monday trips. For shorter trips in general, travelling during the week will save you money and potentially give you fewer airport or train station crowds.
Make sure that you're following all of your and your loved ones' favourite shops and sites. Why? You will be the first to know about insider deals and sales right before Christmas.
Try sliding a sock over each blade the night before cold weather is expected. It should keep them from icing over or freezing to the windshield, making it easier to defrost the next day.
Decorating a tree can be exhausting, so this year, try adding an extra layer of shine and fullness to it without having to buy a larger tree. Simply wrap the edges and inner branches with green tinsel to round out the tree.
Take an empty egg carton and use it to store smaller Christmas tree ornaments. It will avoid breaking any special belongings and keep them intact to create lifelong festive memories.
Don't let tangled Christmas lights ruin your holiday spirit. Wrap the light wires around coat hangers for the ultimate organisation hack. It will be easier to store and save room.
To keep ice cream soft and ready to serve, store the tub in a plastic bag when in the freezer. It will taste like you just opened the ice cream for the first time. This way, you can serve dessert right away and keep everyone happy.
Is there anything more frustrating than loosing the end of your tape? Take our advice and place a paper clip after using the tape when wrapping gifts. It will help you determine where the end is without having to pick apart the roll.
Have extra crafts laying around? Keep them around for the festive season. From paint chips to construction paper, use those unique materials as gift tags and save money (and paper!).
There's nothing worse than overpacking and realising you didn't even wear half of the clothes you brought. On your next trip during the festive season, go through each day and pack an outfit for each activity.
By signing up for loyalty programs at stores such as Boots and Superdrug, you can rack up some points quickly and earn cash back or special gifts. The more you spend, the more points you earn, so you can essentially earn money by shopping for your loved ones.
Heat up or even cook some of your Winter recipes in a slow cooker this year. This will clear up stove space and take away a few steps in the cooking process. Amp up your side dishes by making delicious slow-cooker recipes such as cranberry pecan stuffing or apple cider.
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