It’s The Most Unorganized Time Of The Year
November is in full swing now, and most of us are officially in holiday mode. For many, the thought of entertaining, house guests, and gift shopping might trigger a wave of panic and distress, as you begin counting the number of weeks left to get your home guest-ready. This tends to be a very unorganized time of year - where time moves fast and there is always more to be done.
My best piece of advice? Don’t panic! Instead, follow my simple, 5-step checklist that will put you on track for a happy and organized holiday season.
1. Declutter & Deep Clean
The biggest favor you can do for yourself before house guests arrive is to declutter and deep clean your space now, today. It’s never too early to start editing and organizing your home. Sort through any stacks that don’t have a “home,” keeping only what you really need and have room for. Anything you keep should have a designated place where it can be neatly organized and labeled in a filing or grouping system. You should also decide which (if any) of your current home accessories will be replaced with holiday-themed decor, and store those items away. Thoroughly clean all your surfaces (counter, mantle, tables) while there’s less to move around. When you’re ready to put out your holiday decorations, you’ll be so glad you started with a clean slate!
2. Consider Guest Count
Estimate how many people are coming to your home this holiday season, whether for an extended stay or just a short gathering. Consider if the current layout of your furniture allows them to move around easily. You may want to rearrange furniture or put some unnecessary pieces in storage for better circulation of small spaces.
In the guest rooms, clear a drawer or two and make some space in the closet. No one enjoys living out of a suitcase, and this small gesture is sure to make your family and friends feel welcome!
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3. Shop & Send Early
Once your space is clean and clutter-free, you can focus on the holiday-specific items on your to-do list. Aim to finish shopping for gifts and writing holiday cards by the end of November. Store your written, addressed, and stamped cards in an airtight plastic container, so that they’re safe and ready to send when December rolls around. Be sure to send out invitations to the guests you will be hosting, too. They should be sent four weeks prior to the event.
When you’re out and about searching for the perfect gifts, you can also pick up any special supplies that you will need for your guests. You don’t want to be running around to pick up essentials the day before they arrive!
Here are some suggestions for items that your guests might need or enjoy:
Paper plates/dinnerware/utensils
Snacks & treats (think chips and dip, pretzels, trail mix, candy, etc.)
Beverages (coffee, tea, cider, or anything warm!)
Extra chairs/tables
Extra paper products - paper towels, toilet paper, napkins
Extra cleaning supplies - sanitizing wipes, glass cleaner, toilet cleaner
Breakfast foods (for overnight guests)
Toiletries - shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion (for overnight guests)
Linens - blankets, bedding, pillows, towels (for overnight guests)
Board games, cards, toys or other entertainment
Updated holiday decor to display in your home
Gift wrap, in case they’re not as prepared as you are!
4. Embellish with Decorations
This next step is the fun part, so get creative and fill your home with holiday spirit! If you’ve followed the tips on how to organize holiday decorations in my last blog, your decorations are already easy to find and ready to use. Pull out the items you plan to use, and do a quick walk-through of your home to identify what spaces you want to decorate. Then make a plan to decide where each decoration should go, and group them according to room. This will make the installation much faster!
Remember: if you are entertaining guests with small children, it’s important to place fragile items out of reach. Put breakable statues on high shelves, and hang delicate ornaments near the top of the tree.
5. Make Your Space Sparkle
Even if you are planning to do a deep clean in November, it’s a good idea to give your home one more round of light cleaning before guests arrive. I recommend cleaning after the decorations are up, so that you can vacuum up all the pine needles and get every last bit of glitter on the counter. Let your space sparkle with cleanliness, not with glitter from holiday decor!
Save this checklist for all of your holiday entertaining! You’ll be ready to tackle any gathering with poise and a clear head, giving you more time to focus on family and the memories that matter most during this most wonderful time of year.
Need help decluttering your home for the holidays? Contact Transformare Organizing Services!