1. Wrap an empty cardboard box and keep it nearby on Christmas morning, so that you have a place to throw out all the crumpled wrapping paper.
2. To minimize more Christmas morning stress, put together all the kiddo gifts that need assembling in advance — that way, they can go ahead and play with it ASAP.
3. If the little ones really want to help decorate the tree, make them a mini felt tree that they can actually handle.
4. Up the ante on that Christmas ~magic~ by having Santa leave a few footprints behind.
5. Establish a new tradition — and get a head start on tidying up for the New Year — by letting Santa Claus "take" old toys back.
6. To help baby-proof the Christmas tree, put it in the corner and block off the sides with fake, weighted gift boxes.
7. And if that doesn't work, a playpen will also do the trick.
8. You can also hang bells on the lower branches, so that you can hear if the little ones or pets are pulling on the tree.
9. And speaking of Christmas tree decorations, go for the non-breakable type, like anything made of plastic, wood, straw or cloth.
10. If you still want to hang glass ornaments and Grandma's antique china pieces, put them on a smaller decorative centerpiece that you can keep out of reach of little hands.
11. In general, if you're going to have kids around, hang your decorations up as high as possible.
12. Also, pro tip: baby shoes make for the cutest ornaments.
13. Keep impatient kids (and, okay, adults) busy with simple craft projects, like making this glitter slime:
14. When it comes to decorating Christmas cookies, let kids use squeeze bottles.
15. Use wrapping paper to distinguish which presents are for whom — plus, it adds a personal touch!
16. Muffin liners are excellent for making paper snowflakes.
17. And finally, when you're out shopping with kids and they see things they want for Christmas, take a photo of them with the product as their "wishlist."
This post was translated from German.