“Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” – The 3rd Annual Holiday Edition

Here on my blog, I strive to share simple, everyday tips and tricks that can help make your life a little bit easier. But sometimes, the tips that I want to share aren’t something I can write a whole blog post about! And since I simply cannot waste a good idea, I tuck them away to use at a later date. Today I’ll be sharing some of those tips and tricks with you in the 3rd annual Holiday Edition of my ongoing series “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?”

If you would like to revisit any of the past editions of the “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” series, you can find all of those links at the bottom of this post! :-)

1. Cookie Cutter Cabinet Lock

If you’re going to be hosting holiday guests with babies or toddlers in tow, it’s always a good idea to lock up cabinets that hold chemicals and other dangerous items. But you don’t have to run to the store for baby-proof locks!

Just grab a cookie cutter from your baking supplies, and hook it over both of the cabinet handles. (Make sure it fits as snugly as possible!) The cookie cutter will be too tricky for little fingers to remove, and the cabinet will stay firmly closed.

Related:  10 Easy Ways To Solve Your Worst Holiday Clutter Problem

2. Candle Cleanup

Have some dusty holiday candles that could use a good cleaning? Grab a cup of buttermilk! Dip your hands into the buttermilk, then run your damp hands over the candles you want to clean. After the buttermilk treatment, buff each of the candles to a shine with a microfiber cloth.

How does this process work, you might wonder? For one, rubbing the candles with your damp hands creates enough friction to wipe away the dust that’s stuck to the wax. In addition, the fat content in the buttermilk helps restore moisture and shine to your candles!

3. Wrapping Paper Organizer

Keeping your wrapping paper rolls organized can sometimes feel like fighting a losing battle! Here’s a quick tip: store the rolls upright in a divided laundry sorter. You can sort the wrapping paper by color, occasion, or any system that makes sense to you. And if your laundry sorter has wheels, it makes it easy to wheel it into a closet for storage!

4. Toddler-Friendly Gifts

Toddlers are often eager to help out with distributing Christmas presents, but they typically need to be told who each gift belongs to. But you can make your gifts toddler-friendly by labeling them with a photo of the recipient, rather than their name. Toddlers will love being able to figure out who each gift belongs to all on their own!

5. Christmas Trash Box

Sick of seeing torn wrapping paper, empty boxes, and discarded tissue paper in your Christmas morning photos? Make a quick and easy Christmas trash box! Just cover the outside of a large cardboard box with some spare wrapping paper, leaving the top of the box open. As gifts are opened on Christmas morning, all of the discarded gift wrap can go into the box where it won’t clutter up your photos.

6. Tomato Cage Trees

You can use your tomato cages to make some quick and easy Christmas decorations! Just turn your tomato cages upside-down, then wrap them up with strands of fairy lights. Put your “mini Christmas trees” on your porch for an instant boost of festivity!

7. Mini Ornament Storage

Need a place to store your miniature Christmas ornaments? An old egg carton is the perfect size for mini ornaments, and if you already have one on hand, it’s also free! :-)

8. Plastic Wrap Hack

Trying to wrap plates up with plastic wrap can quickly turn into a sticky, tangled nightmare. Make it easier to handle by putting the roll in your fridge or freezer for a few minutes before using it. Cold temperatures make the plastic wrap a bit easier to handle, because it’s less prone to sticking to itself.

Related: 13 Brilliant Hacks That Will Save You Time In The Kitchen

9. Easier Cookie Cutting

Make cutting out cookies quicker and easier by dipping your cookie cutter into flour. A bit of flour helps prevent the dough from sticking to the cutter, so you can work more quickly and more cleanly. Dip the cutter into flour before cutting out each individual cookie if necessary!