Parent Hacks

  • About the Book
  • Where to buy
    • Amazon
    • Powell’s Books
    • Bookshop.org

"Just...genius." — Buzzfeed

Parent Hacks is the encouraging book I needed when I was an exhausted new parent.

Find out more

Declutter + decorate: use mardi gras beads as Christmas tree garland

in: Holidays & Special Occasions

Amazon: Mardi gras beads Tracy's decluttering and decorating her tree at the same time!

Okay, who doesn’t have a bazillion mardi gras bead necklaces strewn around the house when the kids are young?!?!  We cut several strands (to make strings of beads instead of  necklaces), hot glued them end-to-end and presto, instant Christmas tree garland!

If you don't have enough beads to make a workable garland, you can still use them to add glitter and color to your Christmas tree: cut the necklaces into smaller pieces and attach them to the tree with ornament hangers.

Or glue them in spirals inside small plastic caps (think tops of Pringles cans or yogurt containers) for toddler-friendly Christmas decorations.

Any other ideas for repurposing those mardi gras beads?

More: Christmas hacks

Get updates from Asha.

I'll email you when I have new writing, events, or news to share. Low-frequency (I respect your attention & inbox), privacy always, unsubscribe any time.

*indicates required

Newest posts

  • How to tighten pants without sewing
  • You’re invited
  • Can blogs rebuild America?
  • What feeds us
  • Behind the Book: Writing the Parent Hacks manuscript

About Asha Dornfest

Asha Dornfest is a writer, parent, and insistent optimist living in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of PARENT HACKS, co-author of MINIMALIST PARENTING, and co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast.

Comments

  1. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings says

    January 9, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    My mom brought back a bag of those necklaces from New Orleans for my daughter and I spent more time untangling them than she did wearing them. So I looped two together and then hung one end from a small dowel rod and repeated until dowel rod was full. Then, I put two small hooks in the upper window frame corners, put the dowel rod in them and (voila!)…instant “bead curtain” ala 1960’s

Your go-to gift for new parents

Parent Hacks, a book for new parents

Popular Posts

How to tighten pants without sewing

How to tighten pants without sewing

6 satisfying meals to cook with a hotel coffeemaker or iron

6 satisfying meals to cook with a hotel coffeemaker or iron

A tool to help kids respond to unfriendly teasing

A tool to help kids respond to unfriendly teasing

About the Author

Asha Dornfest is an author, optimist, and mom of two. She started the Parent Hacks blog in 2005, and turned it into a book in 2016. More about Asha »

Disclosure: This site uses affiliate links when linking to some products, which means I get a small commission if you click through and buy. There’s no cost to you, but these commissions help me pay the costs associated with running this website. Thank you for supporting independent writers!

Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved | PARENT HACKS is a registered trademark owned by Asha Dornfest | Terms/Privacy Policy