The holiday season is in full swing – and so is the needle on that stress-meter for a lot of people. If you’re one of them, we are here to put the Oh! in your Ho-ho-ho with a compilation of life hacks for the holidays that will have you saying: OMG! Why didn’t I think of that?
1. Don’t get all sappy!
Carrying in the Christmas tree and got sticky sap on your hands? You can use toothpaste to get it off. Just rub a large dab of it on the sappy spots before washing it all off with soap.
2. A toupee for your tree
Maybe you didn’t notice the tree you hauled home had a bald spot or two in it; or you were late to the tree lot and didn’t get the prime choices. Use green tinsel to fill in. Once lights, ornaments and other decorations get on it, no one will be the wiser.
3. Don’t get hung up on lights... or do!
A simple easy way to keep Christmas lights from getting tangled during storage is to wrap them around a hanger. Alternatively, a piece of cardboard will do the job just as well.
Photo credit: buzzfeed.com
4. The wonder of toilet paper rolls
Don’t throw away the toilet paper roll after that last square is gone. Cut open the roll to use as a cuff around your wrapping paper rolls to keep them from unrolling. OMG!
5. Christmas chandelier
Most of us have at least one – a light fixture we don’t love. Transform it into during the holidays by hanging ornaments. You can make it even more interesting by using different lengths of ribbon or string.
Photo credit: brassyapple.com
6. Maximize your mantel
A decorated mantel is so impactful, but sometimes the mantel isn’t quite wide or long enough to support your décor vision. Cut a board to enlarge or protect your mantel – or other similar surface – and you can then use a staple gun or adhesives to make the job easier and look amazing.
7. Elf on the Shelf yoga
If you have an Elf on the Shelf that isn’t bendable, insert wires into the limbs and voila, now you can position him as you like – even yoga poses.
Photo credit: sheknows.com
8. Stimulate with holiday scents
Fill your home with seasonal smells by using an aromatherapy diffuser and some of these essential oils: pine, cinnamon, peppermint, frankincense, cedarwood, ginger and nutmeg.
9. Boss the holidays by delegating!
Don’t run yourself ragged trying to do everything and making it all perfect. Holidays are no fun when you’re burned out by trying to get it all done. Smart leaders know how to delegate. If you’re hosting the holiday meal, don’t be afraid to delegate side dishes and desserts to guests. If you have multiple drivers in the household, assign holiday errands. For younger kids, give them decorating duties or other age appropriate jobs so they can participate in the fun too!
10. Schedule in sleep
It’s like we try to cram a whole year’s worth of everything into December. And the thing that is the easiest to cut is sleep, but you can’t get all you need and want done and stay in good cheer without sleep. Get the hours you need by ending and beginning your day with consistency.
