Homemaking - Page 35 of 36 - Hampers and Hiccups

The Best Ways to Keep Up On Holiday Mess

Deal with Christmas Mess. Follow these tips and pointers to keep up with your clutter, gifts, and guests. When you find yourself zapped from running here, there and everywhere, you'll be glad you've implemented these quick and easy ideas to keep your house tidy, mind sane, and family happy. Let me know how they worked for you. Got any more to add? I'd love to hear them!

Here we are at week 2 of my September Christmas series. In case you missed it, last week I posted a quick roundup of some adorable Christmas Treats. Today we're going to tackle the dreaded Christmas Mess.

Arguably the busiest time of year for a lot of families, it seems like the Christmas season has become synonymous with clutter, mess, and havoc. Because we're running here, there and everywhere, we have little time and energy to clean up around us. Not to mention all the new items coming into our homes.

If this isn't you and your family, please, tell us your secrets! The rest of us struggle year after year with energy-zapping Christmas mess. I'm going to help you by outlining a few strategies to implement in attempt to keep the clutter and mess to a minimum.

The Absolute Cutest Christmas Treats

by Hampers and Hiccups

Adorable Christmas Treat ideas. Fun for any gathering this holiday season. Simple and more labour intense projects for every skill set. Get your kids and husband involved for some great family memories. Maybe you'll even start a new tradition! Fun Christmas gifts for anyone on your list. Send them to any party for easy guest favourites. Christmas is coming so start thinking about what you want to make this holiday season for your friends and family.

Happy Fall Y'all! Here we are in September and all I can think about is Christmas. Yes, you read that right. I'm dreaming of sugar plumbs and pretty wrapping paper. Today, specifically, I'm thinking about Cute Christmas Treats! All the yummy goodies we get to indulge in during the holiday season.

And it's totally acceptable because it's the holidays! And that New Year's Resolution is right around the corner.

This month I'm taking a break from the regular fall work to post solely about the Christmas season. Yep, September is Christmas month over here at Hampers&Hiccups. Imagine garland and tinsel strewn about my office, Christmas carols blasting from my speakers, and bells a jinglin' as I dance around my sewing studio.

Hey, I need to do something to get me in the spirit of things!

To kick off this month-long series, I've rounded up some adorable ideas for Christmas Treats. They're so cute you'll be dying to try them all.

How To Make Cloth Napkins

by Hampers and Hiccups

If you've been keeping up with Hampers&Hiccups, you'll know that we try not to use disposable products in our home. One of the first items to go was paper napkins. Come to think of it, I don't know that I ever really bought them to begin with. My first cloth napkins were inherited hand-me-downs. I loved using them so much that I vowed to keep up with it.

Cloth napkins are so much more fun and enjoyable to use than the paper alternative. Yes, you can get the ‘sposies in all sorts of colours, shapes, and designs, but they're still not very nice to use. A cloth napkin is much softer and pliable. Plus, often times they're larger and obviously more durable.

If you're into giving homemade gifts, these make a great one! Try selling them to pick up some extra cash. I've done both!

A couple of years ago I made my first set. They're a Christmas/winter set and I love them! They are a little on the smaller side, 8″ or so, but they get the job done and look beautiful and elegant on the table.

LAST spring I bought some material to make a spring/summer set. Over a year ago! I finally got around to whipping them up specially for this post. Nothing like blogging to motivate a mama. I decided to make them larger than the previous set, but the same style.

How to Have a Stress-free Holiday

by Hampers and Hiccups

Start your Thanksgiving Preparations now. Whether you're hosting for the first time, do it every other year, have to travel, or have a family to lug around, I've got some tips for you! Maybe you're a new mama and this is your first holiday with that sweet baby tagging along. You'll find some simple tips here to make your holiday go more smoothly and be less stressful. You'll be so prepared! It will feel like an ACTUAL holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!

With fall upon us, my thoughts are gravitating towards Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Tips. This year is going to be a little different for us since New Baby's due date is on Canadian Thanksgiving! While I'm super excited that it is approaching quickly, it also means we may miss out on all the ~~awesome grub~~ family gatherings. Either way, it's going to be hectic 'round here.

The holidays are a busy time for many of us, especially with the discovery of “Friendsgiving”. Our family, in particular, usually has roughly 4 gatherings to attend. Neither of our parents are divorced. If you think that's a lot you should hear our Christmas plans. Phew!

Any way you can get ahead or make life easier you should, so listen up! I'm here to help. I'll be offering up some Thanksgiving tips for you to follow if you don't know where to start, are hosting for the first time, or are feeling overwhelmed at the thought of running here, there & everywhere. Maybe it's your first holiday with a new baby. Maybe you have to travel this year. I'll provide some ideas that can hopefully let you enjoy your holiday and not be stressed out.

A Pregnant Mom’s Guide to Freezer Meals

by Hampers and Hiccups

As you know, we're expecting our second baby in 6 (and a half) short weeks. I've also mentioned that I'm doing as much as I can to get ahead, prepare for the holidays, and be organized. Part of this is freezer meals! Bonus if they're Crock Pot meals!

While I love having freezer meals stocked at all times, it is even more important now with a baby on the way. Not to mention I'll have a 17 month old to chase after.

Hubby doesn't mind cooking, but I'd rather have the time he's home spent with our family than in the kitchen. So, this weekend marked my first round of freezer meals.

How To Replace Diaper Elastics With a Serger

by Hampers and Hiccups

Photo tutorial for fixing diaper elastics on cloth diapers. Anyone who has used cloth diapers, second hand or new, knows that eventually the elastics wear from washing and drying. Here's a great photo tutorial on how to easily replace diaper elastics yourself! No need to hire someone. Save money and DIY by replacing the worn out elastics at home.

As you know from this post and this post, we have always cloth diapered Sweet Girl. A HUGE portion of our stash is pre-loved. Anyone who has considered second (or third) hand cloth knows that there is the likelihood of having to replace diaper elastics, and maybe even some snaps or Velcro.

I'll be doing a cloth diaper series at some point. There is SO much information on the topic. But for now, I'm just going to outline how to replace elastics.

This tutorial will feature a serger method. I'll be working on a basic sewing machine method in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned. Sign up for my newsletter to know when it comes out!

With these tutorials you'll be able to quickly and effectively replace the elastics in your diapers, making them good as new.

The fact is, over time washing and drying is really hard on elastic! Think of that old pair of your husband's underwear that gets stretched out and brittle. Same deal, except diapers get washed even more frequently!

What You Need to Know to Get Your Christmas Shopping Done Early

by Hampers and Hiccups

Early Christmas Shopping. Why you want to. Why you need to. Why you should. Tips to save money, time and stress. Easy Christmas Shopping. Shopping done early. Less stress. Less hassle. Save money. Enjoy your holiday season.

Call me crazy, but I'm already starting my early Christmas shopping for this year! With our second baby expected at the beginning of October, I'm trying to get ahead on all things fall and winter. This includes Halloween costumes, garden and yard work, meal planning and, of course, Christmas preparations!

Yes, I'll admit that every year I have great intentions of shopping throughout the year to lighten the expense at Christmas.

This has previously backfired on me.

I'll forget what I've bought, or found “better” gifts later on. Sending our budget into a tailspin.

I've developed a few tips to help [myself] with the early Christmas shopping. I'll also list some reasons why you should start! Even if you're not expecting a fall or winter baby.