Things you should do right now to make your holidays easier – CNET

If your family is full of energetic kids, things can get a little crazy. The key is finding fun activities that the kids can do together while the adults bake, laugh and drink a little wine. Tech’s got your back. 

One idea is downloading AirConsole to your PC, tablet or smart TV. The app works like a gaming console and allows the kids to use their phones as controllers. The app comes with a selection of party games for a large range of ages, so everyone gets to play.

Another idea is to start a digital treasure hunt. Have each kid grab their phone (if some don’t have phones get them to pair up) and open the camera. Then, have one adult call out a random object. 

The kids must find the item and take a photo of it before they return to base (which is where the grownups are). In the next round, another adult yells out an object and so on. The winners are the kids who find the most objects and document them with photos.

When guests are over, you want to keep bathroom smells to a minimum. There are some creative ideas to keep the bathroom fresh no matter who has an upset tummy. 

You know those sprays that you can spritz into the toilet before you go and it traps the smell in the toilet bowl? Well you can make your own in any scent you like. 

In a spray bottle, add 2 teaspoons of rubbing alcohol, 3/4 of a cup of water, and 2 teaspoons of liquid soap. Shake it up and add 15 to 50 drops of essential oil, depending on how strong you want the spray to smell. 

Just about any essential oil works, but I recommend peppermint, cinnamon or eucalyptus for a holiday scent. Don’t forget to add a label to the bottle so your guests know to spray before they sit.

A security camera installed by your front door can lower your stress levels by a surprising amount. You’ll know who’s been stealing your packages and you’ll be a little more secure when going away to visit family. Here’s our guide to the best in home security cameras.

If you have to leave your dog or cat at home because a certain relative is allergic, there are a few techy ways you can love your pet long-distance.

One fun idea is to set up a Furbo Dog Camera in your home. This camera will take a photo of your pet and toss it a treat. Then you can look at the photo on your phone. It also keeps track of your dog’s behavior, so you know when it’s time to cut the party short and go home.

If you’ve got a tablet collecting dust, you can make a cool system to Skype with your pet. Here’s how.

Okay, so there’s a certain someone who just won’t be happy until the house is lit up like the North Pole. Here’s how to get your house lit in just 10 minutes. The family member with the light obsession will be overjoyed.