'Tis the season for holiday prep — and clean up — and with it, plenty of organizational chaos. We've rounded up 23 little life hacks designed to make every mom's holiday season just a little less stressful. From DIY gifts that the kids can help out with to the easiest way to feed (and fill up) a crowd, this is one you'll want to bookmark and come back to all season long.
— Additional reporting by Lisa Horten
If rolls of paper come flying out of your closet every time you open the door, you'll appreciate this easy trick. Grab an empty hanging bag — it doesn't even have to be clear — stick the rolls in it and hang the bag in the back of your closet. Problem solved!
Borrow a handful of your kids' plastic animal figurines, and use them to make these chic mason jar canisters inspired by Etsy — perfect for gifting small trinkets and treats.
Scour your office or junk drawer for other solutions, like mailing seals.
Turn your old toilet paper rolls into a flame-free menorah for the kids to celebrate the Hanukkah holiday with.
Rather than dump your lights into a box until next year, grab a piece of cardboard and wrap the lights around them. You'll be amazed how easily this keeps things organized!
In a pinch to jazz up a gift but short on supplies? Follow Homemaking Hacks's simple instructions to create a mod bow out of duct tape.
The perfect solution for an old sweater that was otherwise headed to the trash or giveaway bin? These relatively easy sweater slipcovers.
An empty water bottle is the perfect place to store your beaded garland. Simply lower the garland into the bottle and watch it "pour" out knot-free when you're ready to decorate next year!
Ever wonder how stores keep their ribbon tangle free? They keep it on a bar. A simple hanger will do the trick for the rest of us! Place your rolls on a hanger and watch your desk and drawer space clear up instantly!
Skip the chill of real snow, and instead whip up a batch of this supereasy cornstarch and veggie oil substitute for some indoor (or outdoor) snow-day fun.
Start with plain white or brown kraft paper for this fun series of kid-focused themed gift wrap ideas from Lines Across.
Never thought that Dixie cups could look this chic? Us either! But all it takes is a string of Christmas lights and a drugstore box of paper cups to make this festive, all-occasion garland.
Call off your search for special nonslip slippers for your little ones, and instead upgrade the pairs they currently own with Prudent Baby's easy hot-glue-gun solution.
When storing your wreaths and other bow-festooned decor, Martha Stewart recommends using cardboard tubes (from paper towel or toilet paper rolls) wrapped in paper towels to maintain the bow's shape.
We love the idea of confining craft time to a foil-lined cookie sheet or tray for minimal cleanup. So smart!
Every good party has a casualty of some sort, and if yours happens to come in the form of a broken glass, employ this safe method for cleaning up the wreckage.
Make the most of your suitcase's space by rolling clothes instead of folding and stacking them.
Not thrilled about the idea of having to take apart your tree to store it for next year? Never fear, a simple roll of plastic wrap will do the job for you. Just roll the entire (fake) tree in plastic — ornaments, lights, and all — and you're good to go until next year!
The easiest (and most economical) way to feed a crowd? With a big pot — or better yet, crockpot — full of hearty soup. This butternut squash soup is a festive seasonal classic.
Really, try it! Since you won't be checking on the turkey every 20 minutes, you'll actually be able to enjoy time with your family.
Cut toilet paper rolls through the middle, and wrap them around your tubes of wrapping paper to keep things in place and prevent them from unrolling.
Skip a trip to Target or The Container Store for those fancy ornament storage bins, and instead rely on empty egg crates to ensure their safekeeping at the end of the season.