20 Holiday Hacks Every Parent Needs to Know
'Tis the season for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah prep, and with it, plenty of holiday chaos. We've rounded up 20 little life hacks designed to make every mom's November and December just a little less stressful. From DIY gifts that the kids can help out with to the easiest way to feed (and fill up) a crowd, this is one you’ll want to bookmark and come back to all season long.
1. Feed a Crowd With Crockpot Soup
Source: flickr user Rebecca Winzenreid
The easiest (and most economical) way to feed a crowd? With a big pot — or better yet, crockpot — full of hearty soup. This butternut squash soup is a festive seasonal classic.
2. The Safest Way to Clean Up Party Mishaps
Source: Sarah Lipoff
Every good party has a casualty of some sort, and if yours happens to come in the form of a broken glass, employ this safe method for cleaning up the wreckage.
3. An Instant Babyproofing Solution For Little Holiday Guests
Source: Lisa Horten
If your kids are past the age of babyproofing and you have friends or relatives with curious toddlers coming over, make your home a safer place to explore with this quick and easy electrical outlet hack. Just cover all outlets that could be within reach with Band-Aids. Simple, cheap, and you can peel them right off after your company leaves.
4. Organize Your Gift Wrap Station
Source: flickr user jusinrussell
Cut toilet paper rolls through the middle, and wrap them around your tubes of wrapping paper to keep things in place and prevent them from unrolling.
5. Store Ornaments in Egg Crates
Source: Flickr user gazeronly
Skip a trip to Target or The Container Store for those fancy ornament storage bins, and instead rely on empty egg crates to ensure their safekeeping at the end of the season.
6. Cook Your Thanksgiving Turkey in a Crockpot
Source: flickr user mtnlover61
Really, try it! Since you won’t be checking on the turkey every 20 minutes, you’ll actually be able to enjoy time with your family.
7. Make Sure Your Big Bows Keep Their Shape
Source: Flickr user Muffet
When storing your wreaths and other bow-festooned decor, Martha Stewart recommends using cardboard tubes (from paper towel or toilet paper rolls) wrapped in paper towels to maintain the bow’s shape.
8. Put Sweaters on Your Pillows
Source: Sarah Lipoff
The perfect solution for an old sweater that was otherwise headed to the trash or giveaway bin? These relatively easy sweater slipcovers.
9. Keep Little Feet Warm (and Slip-Proof)
Source: flickr user FunkyShapes
Call off your search for special nonslip slippers for your little ones, and instead upgrade the pairs they currently own with Prudent Baby's easy hot-glue-gun solution.
10. Score Bonus Points With This Easy Thematic Gift Wrap
Source: flickr user Daily Suze
Start with plain white or brown kraft paper for this fun series of kid-focused themed gift wrap ideas from Lines Across.
11. Keep Your Beautiful Mess to a Minimum
Source: flickr user John Fladd
We love the idea of confining craft time to a foil-lined cookie sheet or tray for minimal cleanup. So smart!
12. DIY the Cutest Gift Packaging
Source: Etsy user elyellapaperdesigns
Borrow a handful of your kids’ plastic animal figurines, and use them to make these chic mason jar canisters inspired by Etsy — perfect for gifting small trinkets and treats.
13. Make Paint-Chip Ornaments
Source: flickr user Artbyheather
Transform paint chips from your last home improvement project into DIY ornaments (or gift tags).
14. Upcycle a Menorah
Source: flickr user atl10trader
Turn your old toilet paper rolls into a flame-free menorah for the kids to celebrate the Hanukkah holiday with.
15. Organize Your Gift Wrap Station: Part Two
Source: flickr user Kat
You don’t need an elaborate gift wrap room to give yourself organized, easy access to your supplies. Install a small curtain rod or towel hanger above a desk or countertop for a neat wrapping station.
16. Duct Tape Bows
Source: flickr user Christopher Porter
In a pinch to jazz up a gift but short on supplies? Follow Homemaking Hacks’s simple instructions to create a mod bow out of duct tape.
17. Maximize Your Luggage Space For Holiday Travel
Source: flickr user pinay traveller
Make the most of your suitcase’s space by rolling clothes instead of folding and stacking them.
18. No Tape? No Problem.
Source: flickr user .imelda
Scour your office or junk drawer for other solutions, like mailing seals.
19. Have a Snowball Fight — Even If You Live in Florida
Source: flickr user Miss Messie
Skip the chill of real snow, and instead whip up a batch of this supereasy cornstarch and veggie oil substitute for some indoor (or outdoor) snow-day fun.
20. Light Up With DIY Dixie Cup Garland
Source: flickr user xoyos.com
Never thought that Dixie cups could look this chic? Us either! But all it takes is a string of Christmas lights and a drugstore box of paper cups to make this festive, all-occasion garland.
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