Keeping feet warm
It's unpleasant when your toes cool down quickly in cold, wet weather. Alternating baths, saunas and sport effectively stimulate blood circulation. Wool socks absorb moisture well, keeping your feet dry and warm. Make sure your shoes have thick soles and a good inner lining. Also beneficial: treat yourself to a foot massage.
Protect your poinsettia
There is hardly a living room at Christmas time in which the plant does not create a festive atmosphere. To keep it shining beautifully for as long as possible, protect it from draughts and keep it only slightly damp with a little water (not too cold, preferably at room temperature), as it reacts very sensitively to waterlogging. Yellow discolored leaves are a sign that it is getting too much water.
Keeping the Advent wreath fresh
Sure, we want it to be nice and cozy in the living room. But warm temperatures can quickly take their toll on Advent wreath branches. To prevent the needles from dropping, spray the wreath with a little water every day and store it on the balcony or terrace overnight.
Sending Christmas presents
The delivery companies have different deadlines for the standard delivery of parcels within Germany: for DHL and GLS it is 21.12., for Hermes and DPD it is 22.12. But: The companies do not guarantee anything, so it is better to send them a few days earlier. You can usually check the shipping status online.
Preserving cookies
Before packing, they should be completely cooled and the decorations dried. It is best to use a separate, large and well-sealed tin for each variety. Dry cookies will keep for up to eight weeks at room temperature. For gingerbread, place an apple slice on foil in the top of the tin to keep it soft for longer.
Recycle wrapping paper
It is often far too beautiful to simply throw it away. Unfortunately, however, the coating is usually torn off when you try to remove the adhesive strips. You can prevent this by carefully ironing over it at low heat beforehand. This makes them come off more easily.
Polishing silver cutlery
It's nice when it really shines at a banquet. Too bad if it tarnishes. Line a bowl with aluminum foil, add a pinch of salt and warm water and leave the cutlery in it for 15 minutes. Then polish with a kitchen towel.
Removing wax stains
To do this as gently as possible, briefly heat the wax with a hairdryer and then carefully remove it with a kitchen towel. Smaller items of clothing that have wax stuck to them can also be frozen overnight. After thawing the next day, the wax can then be easily removed.
Replacing baking ingredients
Butter: Depending on the dough, you can use oil (approx. 80 percent of the butter), margarine or yogurt. Sugar: 80 g honey or maple syrup instead of 100 g sugar. Eggs: half a ripe banana instead of an egg, 60 to 80 g applesauce for moist doughs. Baking powder: 5 g baking soda and 6 tbsp vinegar for 500 g.
Save time
If possible, buy presents during the week when the stores are quieter. Use the wrapping service offered by many bookshops and department stores. And get your children involved in the preparations and household chores: After all, that's what the Christ Child particularly likes to see...
Extra tip for a festive atmosphere
Whether it's packing parcels, baking cookies or writing Christmas cards - everything is even more fun with music. With the Internet radio station Weihnachtsmusik.fm, you can even choose between hits from pop, 80s and many more, depending on your taste, or sing yourself into the mood with karaoke.