1. If you have an artificial tree, wrap the center pole with a strand of lights before you add the branches. This will make the tree shine brighter from the inside.
2. Use a wastebasket to hold rolls of wrapping paper.
3. Use egg cartons to store small ornaments and ornament hooks. Use wine boxes to store larger, fragile ornaments.
4. Spread a thick layer of whipped cream on a cookie sheet. Freeze it for several hours and remove. Cut hearts out of the whipped cream with a cookie cutter and serve in hot cocoa.
5. Put a ball of sugar cookie dough between two sheets of wax paper. Roll it out between the papers. While it’s still in the wax paper, put the flattened cookie dough in the refrigerator until you are ready to cut cookies out.
6. Store cookies in an airtight tin with flour tortillas between layers to keep cookies from drying out. You can also use a slice of bread.
7. If you don’t want to put nail holes in your fireplace mantel, fit a tension rod in the wood frame and hang your stockings with shower hooks. You can also purchase nail free stocking holder hooks.
8. Hang lightweight ornaments on long ribbons from your light fixture or chandelier to make an elegant holiday decoration.
9. Skip expensive candles and potpourri. Add water and natural ingredients like apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks or cloves to a crockpot and heat. Enjoy holiday scents that aren’t overpowering.
10. To keep Christmas lights from getting tangled, wrap them around a clothes hanger or power cord holder.