5 easy Christmas hacks

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration with loved ones. Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or simply want to make your home feel merrier and brighter, we've got you covered with these 5 quick and easy holiday ideas. With minimal ingredients and effort, you can avoid last minute holiday stress and spread some Christmas joy.

Decorating your home for the holidays doesn't have to be a daunting task. With these quick hacks, you can create an effortlessly festive atmosphere in no time.

Twinkling lights everywhere

• Wrap twinkling fairy lights around banisters, door frames, and mirrors for an instant touch of magic.
• Place battery-operated string lights in glass jars or lanterns to create cozy and whimsical table centerpieces.•
• Use holiday-scented candles for warm light and delicious smells.• 
• Hang string lights in your outdoor space to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for holiday gatherings.
  

Festive window displays

• Adorn your windows with holiday-themed window clings or decals for a cheerful and festive display.• 
• Hang a wreath or garland on the exterior of your windows to add a touch of holiday spirit to your home's facade.
  

Cozy textiles

• Drape cozy throws over sofas and armchairs to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
• Add festive throw pillows in holiday colors and patterns to instantly transform your living space.
• Use fabric napkins for a more festive touch on your dining table.
  

Natural elements

• Incorporate natural elements like pinecones, branches, and evergreen sprigs into your decor for a rustic and organic feel.
• Fill glass vases or bowls with colorful ornaments, cranberries, cinnamon sticks or cloves for a simple yet eye-catching centerpiece.

Make your presents extra special with these creative gift wrapping ideas.

Personalized gift tags

• Create custom gift tags by using a hole punch to make a hole in a small photo of the recipient and attaching it to the package with twine or ribbon.
• Write a heartfelt message on a plain gift tag and decorate it with stamps, stickers, or glitter.

Sustainable gift wrap

• Use fabric remnants or scarves as gift wrap for a unique option where the wrapping can be part of the gift.
• Use old newspaper instead of gift wrapping paper as a more eco-friendly option – it has that rustic feel and saves resources.
• Secure the wrapping with ribbon, twine, or a decorative pin or adorn with ornaments to look more festive.
  

Embellished gift toppers

• Attach small ornaments, pinecones, or sprigs of fresh herbs to the top of your gifts for an extra festive touch.
• Create a mini wreath using twigs, ribbon, and small decorations to adorn your packages.
• As an extra mini-gift, attach festive treats or cookies.

Welcome your guests or enjoy this easy-to-make treat for yourself for some extra holiday cheer. This low-alcohol (or non-alcoholic if you leave out the booze) punch leans on tart cranberry juice and spicy ginger ale for big flavor, allowing the liqueur to take a back seat. Frozen cranberries stand in for a traditional punch ring, keeping this fizzy drink nice and cold.

Ingredients

6 whole star anise
2 cinnamon sticks
1 vanilla bean pod, split lengthwise
4 (1 l) cups cranberry juice blend
1/2 cup (120 ml) vanilla-citrus brandy liqueur (optional)
4 cups (1 l) ginger ale or ginger beer
1 (750 ml) bottle dry sparkling wine or water
1 (500 g) package frozen cranberries
3 clementines or mandarins, thinly sliced

Heat the star anise, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean in a small skillet over medium-low, tossing occasionally, until toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a punch bowl. Add the cranberry juice and liqueur, if using, to the punch bowl and refrigerate for one hour.

Just before serving, add the ginger ale, wine or sparkling water, cranberries, and sliced citrus to the punch bowl. Serve over ice. For more flavor, use a spicy ginger ale.

A grazing board combines the best of a cheeseboard and charcuterie platter into one indulgent selection of food. There’s no strict recipe for a grazing board – simply gather together all your favorite nibbles, and arrange on a large platter or plate to share. You could do a mixture of meats and cheeses or go entirely vegetarian or vegan. They're a great solution while hosting a gathering as there's likely to be something for everyone. Guests can feel free to snack while chatting over drinks.

How to make a grazing board

The key things to remember when creating your grazing platter, to make it look (and taste) as impressive as possible, are:

• Make sure you assemble the board just before serving so everything is fresh.
• Always include crackers, breadsticks, or bread to use as a vessel for cheeses or dips
• Use small bowls or ramekins to hold small items and dips, such as olives, nuts, and chutneys.
• Use a good variety of ingredients. For example, aim for one hard and one soft cheese, two or three different cured meats, and a few varieties of fruits and nuts.
• If you use larger fruits, such as figs or clementines, chop and tear them into different shapes, so that the fruit is easier to pick up and looks more appealing on the platter.
• Swirl any dips into ramekins, and top with olive oil, seeds or chopped herbs.
• Fill in any gaps on your platter with bay leaves or rosemary sprigs to decorate.
• Bundle any cured meats into nests, or roll or fold to create a variety of textures. 

No holiday celebration is complete without a sweet treat. If you have leftover gingerbread cookies, these simple and decadent gingerbread truffles will satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your guests.

Ingredients:

• 280 g gingerbread cookies, crushed
• 170 g cream cheese, softened
• 280 g white chocolate, melted
• Spices: ground cinnamon, ginger, vanilla
• Sprinkles for decoration (optional)
  

In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed gingerbread cookies (save some for decoration if you like), softened cream cheese, and ground spices. Chill for about an hour. Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.Freeze the truffle balls for 15-20 minutes or until firm. Next, dip the truffle balls into melted white chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. If you like, you can decorate them with some sprinkles or cookie crumbles.Place the coated truffles back on the baking sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate sets. Serve your gingerbread truffles as a festive and indulgent dessert.