There are some people who have all their Christmas gifts wrapped and prepared by the end of September, and have everything done and dusted super early, but if you’re like me and most of the mums I know then you probably still have loads to do at the last minute!
Check out TSB’s Christmas tips guide for some quick and easy inspiration to help you get everything under control, ready to relax and enjoy your festive season. I’ve put together a list of my own too, of all of the best Christmas tips and hacks that I’ve stumbled across this year.
Personalise your gift wrapping
Using kids drawings is a super easy way to personalise your wrapping, while saving money at the same time. These gifts look adorable too, since kids drawings have such a cute quality to them!
Co-ordinate gift wrap by recipient
Another simple yet genius idea, is to wrap each person’s gifts in a different design of paper like this grandma so that if any of the tags come off, you’ll still know which parcel belongs to which person – saving possible confusion on Christmas morning.
Or use family photos to label
This makes it easy for little ones to help with handing out presents to the family – no reading skills required!
Via: bhg.com
Manage the mess on Christmas morning
Save having wrapping paper strewn everywhere, or having a trash bag in your family photos, by wrapping up a couple of cardboard boxes to contain all the packaging as presents are unwrapped
Via: Chicaandjo.com
Put the batteries in before wrapping
Snipping away all of the packaging and grabbing a screw driver to put batteries into zillions of toys is not the most relaxing part of gift opening, especially if you have over excited kids jumping around eager to get playing with their new toy RIGHT NOW, so save yourself the stress by opening the boxes, cutting the ties, and inserting the batteries – then place them back inside and wrap.
Christmas Tree Brownies
This recipe couldn’t be any easier to make and decorate, yet the results look like a lot of effort has been put in. That’s got to be a win-win when you’re rushing around in these last few days before Christmas!
Gingerbread House Dinosaur
Or if you need a solution to failed baking attempts, I saw this idea to add a dinosaur to your broken gingerbread house to give the destruction some context!
Rudolph Cake
A red bauble nose, and a couple of antlers will turn a regular chocolate cake into a fantastic Rudolph! You could bake from scratch, or if you’re short on time just add details to customise a shop bought chocolate cake. This may go down better with the kids than traditional fruity or boozy christmas cakes (my kids don’t love raisins, but do love Chocolate – I’m sure they’re not the only ones)
Get the recipe and full tutorial here
Time your Christmas dinner
Avoid the last minute panic by starting now, and getting some things done ahead of time. Check out our post with a step by step guide to cooking times
Give your home the festive scent
Forgot to buy festive candles? No problem, you can create your own festive scent by simmering a few choice ingredients in water on the stove. This also works if you want to recreate that “christmas tree smell” when you have an artificial tree. There are lots of different simple recipes online for this, but I think this one looks great.
I hope these ideas help. Wishing you all a happy and relaxed holiday season!
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In association with TSB
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Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
I like the big box idea, there is so much rubbish in our house once the kids have started getting into everything
Always check what batteries you need and ask if you need to buy any for gifts your children may receive x
Love your Christmas tree brownies. Simple and very Christmassy x