You’ve spent hours on top of a ladder, stringing what feels like thousands upon thousands of strands of lights. The stockings are hung, the tree is up, but you aren’t even halfway done with the sometimes-excruciating process that is holiday decorating.

Sound familiar? You aren’t alone. Decorating for the holiday season can be a pain, in more ways than one. Even if you’re a big fan of the season, the time it takes to make your home look like the North Pole doesn’t even seem worth it.

But could there be a catch? The answer is yes! Follow these tricks and you’re in for an enjoyable, stress-free decorating experience.

Go Command™ Hook crazy
It’s not always possible (or practical) to blanket your house with nails. Command™ Hooks are a great alternative that will leave your home free of holes when the season is over. Flip a series of small hooks on their side to hold back lights around your door frame, turn a hook upside down to hang a wreath over the top of a door, or place a row of hooks along the mantel for stockings—the possibilities are endless.

Trim the tree
Have extra pine branches after trimming your tree? Put them to good use! With a handful of branches, a circle frame, and bow, you can fashion your own wreath, or place a few branches in a glass vase to showcase on your table.

DIY your decor
Don’t spend a fortune on new holiday decorations when you can utilize materials you already have. An old Scrabble™ set can make for an adorable greeting sign, leftover wrapping paper and card stock can easily be turned into miniature trees, and wine corks look adorable turned into ornaments. All you need is a little imagination!

Get creative with garland
Who says you have to deck the halls with tinsel or greenery to make your holiday decor stand out? This season is all about family, so showcase your loved ones in a beautiful garland strung from your photos. Black and white photos make for a particularly elegant garland, but the best part is no matter the style you choose, you can make it your own.

Think outside the box
If you don’t have time to purchase a tree (or you’re allergic) and you’re looking for an alternative, there are plenty of ways to create your own version that serves the same purpose. In recent years, creative Christmas trees have taken holiday decorating by storm. You can utilize anything from holiday cards to ladders to create something truly one-of-a-kind. Or, for a simple solution, secure a strand of lights in the shape of a tree to a blank wall!