15 Time Saving Holiday Tips

KCParent.com Readers share their favorite Time Saving Holiday Tips!

   We asked our readers to send us tips on how to save time and stay sane during the hectic holiday season.

Let Ore-Ida Do the Peeling!

Skip boiling and peeling the potatoes! Ore-Ida® Steam n' Mash (found in the freezer section) takes out all the hassle. Simply microwave the bag of real cut Russet potatoes and then mash with milk & butter. Add a bit of horseradish for a gourmet twist! ~ Maureen Young, Lenexa

Dusty Ornaments

To clean dusty holiday ornaments, wipe ornaments with a fabric dryer sheet. This will remove the existing dust and repel future dust. ~ Sue Walker, Liberty

New Use for Stockings

Use stockings instead of wrapping paper for gifts. Everyone likes getting a new stocking and it reduces the paper waist from wrapping paper! Our family passes stockings around every year.~ Tiffeny Manson, Drexel

Try a Potluck

Potlucks are definitely the key to remaining sane during the holidays! Everyone enjoys sharing their favorite recipes with others and the work is spread out so you're not spread so thin. ~ Amity Rouse, Gladstone

Forget the Clean-Up

For the big holiday party, don't be ashamed to serve food on paper or plastic. Disposable dinnerware has come a long way over the years, and you’ll save hours not doing the dishes later! ~ Sam Taylor, Overland Park

Holiday Light De-tangler

When I take lights off the Christmas tree, I wind them immediately onto a piece of cardboard or a paper towel tube to avoid tangled strands next year. ~ Laura West, Lenexa

A Bright Idea

Label the ends of the outside lights so you know which end goes over which part of the house, i.e. window w/ bushes, high-peak, porch, etc. ~ Chadwick Taylor, Lenexa

Skip the Long Lines

I buy things for my out of town family online and have it shipped directly to their house, no trips to the post office! ~ Devyn Lundy, Olathe

Cut Out Sending Cards

I gave up holiday cards years ago. Between email and Facebook, I keep up with everyone I want to. Many other holiday traditions I'd rather spend my time on. ~ Keelie Shrader, Grandview

Go Green

Purchase reusable shopping bags as quick, attractive wrapping--and a gift too. ~ C. Leon, Kansas City

Buy in Bulk

I buy gifts in bulk. For example, my son, neighbor boy, and nephew are the same age, so I buy 3 of the same toy, one for each of them. ~ Anna Clever, Kansas City

Purchase the Main Entree

Avoid spending hours in the kitchen, just purchase your holiday meal's main entrée. Many supermarkets and restaurants sell fully cooked whole birds and/or hams for carry-out. Make yummy side dishes and no one needs to know your secret! ~ Vicky Ryerson, Overland Park

Skip the Fancy Holiday Party

Why go to all that trouble? Try a holiday movie party. Tell everyone to dress casually (slippers and PJs, anyone?) pour eggnog into a punch bowl or serve a hot holiday drink and pop in “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “White Christmas."  ~ Tabitha Tony, Shawnee

Friends Don’t Shop With Friends

It sounds fun but it never works – you waste time looking for everything on someone else's list. Shopping solo or with your spouse is the most productive for holiday shopping. ~ Meg Luden, Brookside

If All Else Fails...

Just relax and drink egg nog!