Simple Holiday Hacks
Holiday décor and traditions are very unique to everyone. From bah-humbug to holiday splendor, our mood and motivation comes from a variety of different sources. Maybe you recently walked by a picturesque window display or watched a cozy Hallmark movie and it has lifted your holiday spirit. Or maybe you are on the other end feeling like you’re just not in the mood to drag out all the “stuff” only to haul it all back into the attic in a few short weeks. To most, the holidays open up memories both warm and wonderful.
If you are anything like me, I’m always looking for ways to make the holidays special, but at the same time, keep things simple! Here are a few festive finds that I plan to use this holiday season.
Tip #1 Ice Cream Cone Trees
You’ve signed up to bring a treat into your child’s class and now you just aren’t sure how you’ll have time to get everything done, but you don’t want to settle for the store-bought cupcakes. Here is a simple cupcake idea that will surely bring a smile to any child’s face. The secret to the leafy looking topping? Place an ice cream cone upside down atop your snowy-white-frosted cupcakes, add some green frosting and then let them add edible candies for ornaments. This treat provides an extra bonus since not every child is a fan of cupcakes. The crunchy cone will not only be cute and festive, but tasty too! Source: Better Homes & Gardens
Tip #2 Gradual Grocery Prep
Go food shopping now and buy all your non-perishable items so when it’s time to do your final round of grocery shopping, all you’ll need to buy are the perishable items. Let’s face it, the grocery store gets insanely crowded during the Holidays and why not avoid any pre-party, holiday buzz-kills by stockpiling now?
Tip #3 Breakfast Casserole
Preparation is key when you want to sit back and enjoy time with the kids while they tryout their new toys. Be there for every moment, from battery installation, to full-speed-ahead, instead of in the kitchen. If I’m being honest, it took me years of cleaning up pots and pans on Christmas morning to find the value in preparing ingredients the day before and putting it all into a baking dish. Simply pull out your casserole dish and start the oven right before the kids wake up. If you haven’t tried this yet, for us it definitely makes our Christmas morning so much more relaxed. Pro-tip, when breakfast is over, soak your egg-caked baking pan in water and add a dryer sheet. Then, come back to it later. You will be happy you did when all you’ll have to do is wipe it out and rinse!
Recipe: Large glass baking dish, 350 degrees, 30 minutes
While preparing the casserole,
Make bacon or sausage separately as well as bake a few Tator Tots and 6” of garlic bread
Beat 12 eggs and add two TBS of water, plus salt and pepper
Cover the bottom of the baking dish with cooking spray
Add small pieces of pre-baked garlic bread (trust me!)
Pour beaten eggs over the bread
Add a half bag of frozen chopped onion and peppers (only to one side if the kids aren’t fans)
Add pre-baked Tater Tots, each cut in half
Add chopped bacon or sausage
Bake for 20 minutes then add shredded cheese (cheddar is our favorite)
Bake an additional 10 minutes or until your oven says it looks good, and ENJOY!
Tip #4 Make a Homemade Gift
Put on a favorite holiday movie and plug in your glue gun! Buy an inexpensive, warm scented pillar candle (like vanilla or sugar cookie). Take one strip of double-sided tape (the length of the perimeter) and wrap the candle. Add cinnamon sticks standing tall to the strip of tape (and a small dot of low-temp, hot glue for reinforcement) until the perimeter of the candle is covered. Tie a narrow jute rope or your favor holiday ribbon around the cinnamon sticks and candle. Just like that, you’ve got a useful and festive, semi-handmade gift for someone special! Source: Paula Deen
Tip #5 Candy Cane Place Cards
Not the fancy type, but need place cards? Check out this simple hack for making your holiday hosting special and full of cheer! Fire up your low-temp glue gun and use three candy canes to form a tripod stand. Find a cute holiday font or hand write signs to sit into the candy cane stands! So simple and so sweet!
