KidRated’s Christmas Life Hacks

 

Christmas can be magical for kids, but for parents, it often comes with its own set of challenges! That’s why we’ve put together a list of Christmas life hacks to help make the season a little smoother. From clever ways to keep the excitement manageable to time-saving tips that make room for more family fun, these hacks are designed with parents in mind. Whether you’re looking for crafty ways to keep kids entertained, budget-friendly gift ideas, or tricks for tackling holiday prep with ease, we’ve got you covered.

 

And if you just need to head out, then we at KidRated have plenty of suggestions of where to go with kids during the holidays.

 

Use Family Pictures For Gift Tags

Add a personal touch (and some festive cheer) to your gifts by using family snapshots instead of the more traditional name tags.

 

1. Print digital photos onto white card
2. Cut into decorative shapes
3. Attach to your presents
4. Send out presents to your loved ones

 

Make Your Own Advent Calendar

You can make your own advent calendar using a muffin tin with 24 cups.

 

1. Get an adhesive magnet sheet
2. Cut out and number paper circles for each muffin cup
3. Fill each cup with a gift, chocolate or note (maybe a fun activity to do that day as a family)
4. Stick adhesive magnetic strip to the back of each circle and stick to tray
5. Hang from the wall with ribbon

 

Use Green Tinsel On Your Tree

Can’t afford a bushy, full Christmas tree? Or just don’t want the trouble of dragging in a large tree?

 

1. Simply buy green tinsel
2. Use it to pad out your plastic tree

 

In no time at all it will look fuller and more Christmassy, and it won’t cost a fortune!

 

Make Hot Chocolate Hearts

Want a fun treat you can make (and then enjoy) with the kids?

 

1. Grab a baking sheet and cover it in whipped cream
2. Freeze the whipped cream over night
3. Cut the frozen cream into a heart shape
4. Add to a nice cup of hot chocolate

 

 Make Christmas Candy Sleighs

You can make great gifts for your kids’ friends and teachers using candy canes and other treats.

 

1. Place two candy canes with the loops facing up
2. Layer the other treats on top
3. Tie together with a ribbon

 

Make Elf Donuts From Cheerios

 

You can use Cheerios to make adorable elf donuts that your kids will both love making and eating!

 

1. Grab some Cheerios
2. Decorate each one using chocolate, icing, sprinkles and any other treat you or the kids want to use

 

Top tip: Use muffin tins to organise sprinkles, icing, and toppings for decorating. It keeps everything in one place and is easy for kids to access.

 

Use Candy Canes For Place Cards

Having family around for Christmas dinner? Want to keep the kids busy while you’re preparing?

 

1. Grab a bag of candy canes
2. Use edible glue to stick three together at right angles to each other

 

Get place your festive place card holders!

 

Use Condiment Bottles For Icing

Apart from opening their presents, there’s nothing children love more than Christmassy food.

 

1. Grab some old school condiment bottles (like the kind served in US diners)
2. Fill them with icing
3. Decorate some Christmas treats!

 

Make Festive Rice Krispie Treats

A festive twist on the classic Rice Krispie treat that your kids will love.

 

1. Make Rice Krispie treats using green food colouring to give it that festive colour
2. Stack in a Christmas tree shape
3. Decorate liberally with chocolate M&Ms
4. Enjoy!

 

Make Your Own Christmas Bin

Grab a cardboard box and wrap it in festive wrapping paper. A five-minute process that gives you your very own Christmas bin – not only can the kids get involved in making it, but it will encourage them to tidy away their own used wrapping paper and will look much better in family photos than a bin bag.

 

Create your own Christmas Tablecloth

Keep the kids entertained at dinner and create a bespoke table covering.

 

Cover the table with butcher paper and add coloured pencils or pens for a DIY colouring tablecloth that kids can decorate while waiting for food. Easy cleanup and entertainment all in one! Add a date to it and it’s a memory of each Christmas.

 

Make “Reindeer Food” for Christmas Eve

Mix oats and edible glitter to make “reindeer food” for kids to sprinkle on the lawn. It’s a fun tradition, and they’ll love the idea of helping guide Santa’s sleigh.