17 Brilliant Christmas Hacks You'll Need for the Holidays

You should never pay full retail price for Christmas decorations or holiday storage when you can use cheap and easy Christmas hacks instead. Fortunately, we have some tips and tricks for saving money on the stuff you’ll need for these holiday shortcuts.

Here at The Krazy Coupon Lady, we’re always on the hunt for deals that bring you maximum savings. Bookmark these pages to save on holiday essentials: discount Christmas decorations, Christmas tree deals, and Christmas light deals.

Now, on with the show. Below find our favorite places to get cheap supplies for enhancing your holiday merriment. And don’t forget to download The Krazy Coupon Lady app to receive the latest deals on your phone.

Save money on supplies for these Christmas hacks.

Bargain materials for any DIY project can be found at Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or Amazon. Here are some quick and dirty tips for saving at these stores:

• Shop Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby Christmas sale prices reach 65% off the week before Christmas, so stock up on any DIY materials then.
• Stack coupons in store. Dollar Tree is a great place to use coupons. If an item costs $1.25, you can use a $0.50 off coupon to get it for only $0.75.
• Use Michaels’ 10% price match policy. Find something on sale at Hobby Lobby and Michaels sells it too? Ask Michaels for a price match and you’ll get an extra 10% off the competitor’s price.
• Choose no-rush shipping to get free Amazon digital credits. If you’re not in a hurry, you can rack up credit to later spend on movie rentals or Kindle and Audible purchases. I’ve seen up to $4 offered for delaying a shipment.

 

1. Use chalkboard tape to turn plain dishes into Christmas party dishes.

Adhere chalkboard tape to plain dishes, then use a chalk pen to write your merry message or let guests know what you’re serving.

Remove the tape easily when you’re done.

 

2. Decorate your tree with two different sized bulbs for a magical effect.

Break up the tree decorating monotony by using two different sized bulbs to light it. For more variety, use colored and white lights. Alternate them horizontally or vertically — the designs are endless.

 

3. Spray paint Christmas lights to make them more festive.

Before spray painting, unscrew the bulbs and stuff the light sockets with paper to avoid getting paint inside the fixture. You’ll also want to use painter’s tape to cover the prongs on the plug end.

What you’ll need:

• String of lights
• Metallic spray paint
• Drop cloth
• Scrap butcher paper or newspaper

What you’ll do:

1. Place the cord on a drop cloth outside or somewhere well ventilated.
2. Remove bulbs and stuff insides with paper to avoid messes when you screw the bulbs in again.
3. Evenly spray the cord and fixtures.
4. Allow the cord to dry and then put the bulbs back in.

Get even more Christmas decorating hacks.

 

4. Hang mirror ornaments to make it appear like you have more lights than you actually do.

The miniature mirror ornaments will reflect light and create a stunning “light” display. Hot glue ornament hooks to the back of each mirror and let dry briefly. Hang and stand back to admire the light.

 

 

5. Use mason jars to make festive Christmas candles.

First, place greenery (I took mine off a bush from outside) followed by fresh cranberries in a mason jar. Fill the jar with water, allowing the cranberries to float. Add a floating candle to the top, and voila — you have a simple and inexpensive centerpiece to add color and light to your holiday table.

 

6. Turn a paper towel holder into a ribbon organizer.

Either borrow the one from your kitchen temporarily or buy a cheap paper towel holder from Dollar Tree to make this easy ribbon organizer. When ribbons aren’t being used, just remember to tape them to the roll to prevent unwanted unraveling.

 

7. Use toilet paper rolls to make DIY gift boxes.

Flatten a clean tube by creating two creases, then fold and tuck the ends inward to keep your gift from sliding out. This is a great vessel for gift cards or as a small gift for teachers.

Decorate your DIY gift box with ribbon, designer cardstock paper, and twine. If the kids are helping, use winter-themed stickers.

Want more Christmas DIY projects? We got you covered.

 

8. Use candy canes as Christmas place card holders.

Target has a 24-pack of candy canes for just $2.99. Use them to create these cute placeholders for name cards at your holiday table. Hot glue three unwrapped candy canes, starting with two canes first, then attach the third.

Using ribbon from the dollar store and crafter paper, you can make these placeholders for an entire table on a tight budget.

Add decorative ribbon and slip a place card into two of the hooks.

 

 

9. Make holiday ice with cranberries frozen in water.

Here’s a simple method to bring some color and a bit of flavor to your holiday drink. Add fresh cranberries to ice trays and freeze overnight.

Pour your favorite carbonated beverage over the cranberry ice cubes before your party starts. For more flavor, drop in a few mint leaves or add a flavored drink to the ice cube tray instead of water. This way the cubes won’t water down your drink.

Check out these soda deals and alcohol coupons before your next holiday gathering.

 

10. Turn a sock into a coffee cozy.

Turn those missing socks into something more useful rather than waiting around for them to reappear.

What you’ll need:

• A regular-length sock (no ankle-lengths)
• Scissors
• Needle and thread

What you’ll do:

1. Cut off the top portion of a sock above the heel. Depending on the size of your cup, make the length longer or shorter.
2. Hem the edge inward with a needle and thread.
3. Slip the sock onto your cup and enjoy!

NOTE: You can try hot gluing the sock instead of hemming the cut edge with a needle and thread. However, when we tried it, the hem was really bumpy and ended up turning outward.

 

11. Create snowflakes in your whipped cream.

Upgrade your hot chocolate and do away with the marshmallows temporarily.

What you’ll need:

• Cool Whip
• Aluminum foil
• Cookie sheet
• Cookie cutters
• Freezer

What you’ll do:

1. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Spread whipped topping onto the lined baking sheet.
3. Place in your freezer for two hours.
4. Once frozen, use a cookie cutter to cut a Christmas shape out of the frozen cream.
5. Slide the cut-out whipped cream off the edge of the tin foil.
6. Add your “snowflake” to hot cocoa and enjoy immediately.

 

12. Attach Christmas lights to brick with hot glue.

Sure, you can hang Christmas lights the traditional way with clips, but if you have brick or masonry in front of your home, use hot glue to attach them. Apply the hot glue directly to the surface, then hold the light on the dab for 10 – 15 seconds.

 

13. You can also use hot glue to make snowflake window clings.

As long as you’re using a glue gun, make snowflake window clings. They’re easier than you think.

What you’ll need:

• Printer with ink and paper
• Hot glue gun
• Parchment paper

What you’ll do:

1. Find snowflake printables to use as stencils.
2. Place your snowflake stencils under a sheet of parchment paper.
3. Use a hot glue gun to trace the design.
4. Once it’s dry, peel the glue snowflakes off the parchment paper.
5. Add dabs of hot glue to the back of the snowflakes and stick them onto your window. The snowflake will easily pop off when it’s time to take the decorations down.

NOTE: Don’t touch the hot glue gun directly to the window, especially if your window is cold. The heat can break the glass!

 

14. Use painter’s tape and hot glue to make no-damage Christmas card hangers.

Place strips of painter’s tape on the wall first, then use hot glue to attach paper, cards, or anything else that isn’t worthy of damaging a wall. Just peel the tape off when you’re ready for it to come down. This works especially well on brick walls.

 

15. Boil cinnamon sticks, apple peels, orange rinds, and whole cloves in water to make your home smell like the holidays.

Whip up homemade holiday potpourri with fresh produce and spices to make your space smell downright delicious. Add cloves, orange and apple peels, and cinnamon sticks to a pot with water. Simmer so you can enjoy the scents of the season all night long.

 

16. Use upside down command hooks to create a wreath hanger.

For a clean presentation of your holiday wreath on your front door, attach a Command hook upside down on the inside of your door. Tie a ribbon around the hook and lay it over the top of your door. Or if you’d rather buy a new wreath hanger, that’s an option, too.

 

17. Repurpose a piece of cardboard or a hanger to make a Christmas light organizer.

Keep Christmas lights organized by winding them around a flat piece of cardboard or hanger. The structure is a clever way to prevent them from tangling. Plus, it’s an easy storage solution.