Now that summer is over, it is only a matter of time before the holidays are upon us!  (I know, I do not want to be saying this either.)  It seems that each year, I fall further and further behind as I try to keep up with decorating, shopping, cleaning and cooking along with the already busy day-to-day routine.

I absolutely love Christmas, so this year, I am making it a point to stay on top of everything and enjoy the season before it is gone!  These DIY Holiday hacks will save you some much-needed time, money and sanity!

Let’s start out with some awesome decorating hacks that can be put up and taken down in a flash without a lot of fuss or money.

1.       DIY Pine Cone Wreath

 

This wreath can be made in a short amount of time with only a hanger, some wire and some pinecones. It is super easy to make for a super small investment. Simply gather your pinecones and form your wire hanger into a circle. Tie on the pinecones with floral wire and you are set!

As a bonus to this, you can add glitter, ribbon or other personalizing to make it more your own! Another simple and easy decorating idea!

2.       Santa Boot Print

By simply mixing baking soda and glitter, you have an instant recipe for Santa boot prints! Imagine the kids’ faces as they follow the prints and see where he has been! To do this, simply mix the baking soda and glitter (white glitter would be the best) and place them on a baking sheet. Lightly mist a boot with water and stamp the boot in to coat the bottom with baking soda. Now stamp the boot on the carpet or wherever you would like Santa’s feet to go! Super fun! This could also double as an elf on the shelf idea!

3.       Candy Cane Place Holders

Are you looking for a way to set a table this Christmas? These candy place settings can really put you in the mood for the holidays. Simply Glue three candy canes together so they stand upright and place your name tag (or dish name) on the hooks. A genius hack that will wow your guests for the price of candy canes!

4.       Tomato Cage Christmas Tree Lights

I have been seeing these everywhere lately and for good reason! Use your old tomato cages and flip them over to create a lighted Christmas tree! Simply tie up the stakes to make a cone and wrap lights, garland or fabric around the cage for an instant Christmas tree decoration! I can’t tell you how much I hate those tomato cages when they aren’t in use and now here is a great solution!

5.  Star Shower Christmas lights

 

(Affiliate link!)  These lights are a game changer.  Ok, I have been known to call them “cheater lights” but that is only because you can have your house lit up in a matter of seconds. Step one, plug-in.. Step two: aim, step three: enjoy!  Yep! Super simple and easy. If you are looking for an easy way to decorate outside (or you don’t like heights), this is your game changing plan!

6.       Dollar Store Lollipop decorations

These giant-sized lollipops are actually nothing more than some paper plate and wooden dowels. Simply grab some large plates at the dollar store and paint them to look like pepper minty lollipops. Attach them to wooden dowels and wrap some dollar store cellophane around them to keep the weather out. Add a ribbon and you have a new cute theme for your outdoor decorating!

7.       Use a Glue Gun to Create Snowflakes on your Windows

Are you looking for a cute window decoration? Grab a glue gun! Simple draw out some snowflakes on your windows with a low temperature glue gun and they will easily peel off later once Christmas is over!

8.       Store your Ornaments in Egg Cartons

Keep your smaller breakable ornaments in egg cartons for some extra protection and organization. I will definitely be doing this year (so I say now) as I usually just wrap them and hastily throw them in a box!

9.       Hang Wreaths on your Cupboards

 

For a quick and amazing holiday feel, try using ribbon to hang small wreaths on your kitchen cabinets. I always neglect decorating in the kitchen, so this is a great idea for bringing the spirit into the room where most people gather! If you love the farmhouse look, be sure to check out These fall farmhouse decorating crafts!

10.   Wrap Christmas Lights Around Cardboard.

Get rid of the yearly Christmas light untangling fight by wrapping your lights around a rectangular piece of cardboard. This will alleviate a lot of stress. Trust me.

Holiday Food Hacks

11.       Chocolate Dipped Hot Cocoa Spoons

Melt some chocolate and dip some plastic spoons to coat them! When they are dry, use them in warm milk to stir and create some amazing gourmet hot chocolate! You can use all kinds of different chocolate and even coat them with sprinkles or candy cane pieces as well!

12.       Crock Pot Melted Chocolate

To make melting the chocolate easy for your spoons, place your chocolate chips in a mason jar inside a crack pot and warm them to enjoy a non-messy and super easy way to melt chocolate!

13.       All the Christmas shaped foods!

Ok, there are so many neat ideas for shaping your food For Christmas, think of Rudolph pancakes, mouse Hershey kisses, Santa Strawberries, Pull apart Christmas tree bread, Marshmallow snowmen, Christmas trees made of broccoli and tomatoes.. you get the idea! I definitely recommend searching Pinterest for these amazing cute snacks. I definitely recommend the Christmas wreath cornflake recipe down below, as that’s what I always make!

14.       Use a Cookie Cutter to Control your Sprinkle Placement!

No more sprinkle mess with this hack! Simply place the cookie cutter over your cookies before baking to filter the sprinkles to land on the cookie and not everywhere else! 😉

15.       Make your Kitchen Smell like Christmas by Brewing Apple Cider in your Crock pot 

Add cloves and cinnamon sticks and brew your cider on low to smell up the house with Christmas spirit.

 

Holiday Gift DIY Hacks

16.       Gift wrap organizer

Use a picture frame and some cup hooks from Lowes to create an amazing way to organize your wrapping paper. This will save you from crinkling it or forgetting where you put it from last year.  (On a side note, check out her workspace, I think I am going to have to copy the awesome pegboard idea as well!)

17.       Snow Globe Mason Jars

We all know and love those cute mason jars, filled with baking mixes, hot cocoa and bath salts! Why not take it up a notch and try this DIY Snow globe topper for your Mason jar gif this year?  I know just the snow globe on top would be enough for me, but couple it with a neat homemade gift, and you have me won over!  

18.      Turn your Wrapping Paper into a Bag for those Hard to Wrap Items

No more trying to wrap those dreaded pointy corners and funny angles. Turn your wrapping paper into a gift bag with this easy tutorial.  I love how simple it is to create something that looks so complicated!

19.       Make your own Fancy Bows out of Ribbon

I think wrapping paper sets the mood for the entire room! Santa always seems to leave the prettiest presents around!  Learn how to copy his elves and create amazing bows out of ribbons that everyone will love!

20.    Use a Holiday Planner

Plan out your schedule, your budget, you lists and everything you can think of with this free Holiday planner! 

Use a  guide that includes lists, budgets, menus and a calendar so you can prepare well in advance for the big day! Simply download the file and print it out on your home printer or any FedEx Office. You can three hole drill the pages to place them in a binder, or get them bound. It would also be a good idea to add a folder in this packet, so you can easily store your receipts for easy returns after the holiday!

I know it is only September, but it never hurts to get your mind in the game for all of the chaos that is soon to come!  Be sure to subscribe to my email to get the latest hacks and DIY projects!