Christmas hacks to decrease stress

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for some, it's the most stressful.

A 2015 health-line survey found that more than 60 percent of people find the holiday season stressful. The greatest cause of stress was finances, followed by healthy eating, picking the right gift and scheduling.

Shopping, wrapping and prepping can make the holidays feel overwhelming, but there are hacks to make Christmas a breeze. 

  • Use double-sided tape when wrapping presents for a cleaner look, and a wine crate for organization. 
  • Goodhousekeeping.com says to put frosting into condiment bottles for easy cookie decorating, and use candy canes as card holders. 
  • If you’re hosting a Christmas meal, Tesco-Living suggests checking your dishwasher for a plate-warming setting to keep the oven free. 
  • Wrap your bottles in a wet paper towel and place them in the freezer to chill drinks quickly, and if you place your ice cream inside a plastic bag, it will keep it soft and easier to scoop. 
  • For adults, make a Christmas tree out of jello shots or add liquor to make an extra warm apple cider.
  • Use plastic cups to neatly store your ornaments or egg cartons for smaller ones.
  • Wrap your Christmas lights around a plastic hanger to keep them from getting tangled.
  • If you're making homemade ornaments, consider making gingerbread cookies and put a couple coats of varnish on them.
  • Freeze whipped cream by spreading it on a cookie sheet, then use a small cookie cutter to make a fun design to put on hot chocolate.
  • Reuse your leftover Halloween pumpkins to make snowmen. Just search “snowmen pumpkins” for photos and instructions.
  • Learn how to fold your cloth napkins into a Christmas tree so you won’t have to buy any special holiday napkins or napkin rings.
  • Hang ornaments or a wreath from a light fixture to transform it into a Christmas chandelier .
  • Use leftover Pringles cans wrapped in festive paper and ribbon as a free, easy container for a cookie gift.

Officials with the Bureau of Transportation say that the number of long-distance trips during the Christmas and New Year season increases by 23 percent compared to the rest of the year. Ninety-one percent of travel during this time is done by driving, so consider staying off the roads and having fun at home this year.