The holiday season is here! Are you ready for it? Today I’m sharing five tips you can implement immediately to help ease the holiday strain. Following these simple steps will pave the way to a more relaxed and organized holiday season for the whole family!
1. Declutter Like a Mother
No matter how hard we try to maintain our systems, clutter inevitably creeps into our homes. Decluttering gives you instant gratification and a “clean slate” for the season.
- Start in the most-used room: Move clockwise through the space, clearing off every surface of items that don’t belong. Continue in each room until your whole home has been decluttered.
- Get the family involved: Kids can clean out their rooms and playrooms to make space for the new items that will inevitably arrive in December.
2. Plan It Out
Take time now to plan the critical pieces of your holiday season so you can stay ahead of the game. Focus on these five areas:
- The Master Calendar: Mark every event through January 1st, including school performances and work commitments.
- Gift Lists: List everyone you plan to gift and include a general idea of what to give them.
- Memory Making: Schedule intentional family activities now so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.
- Host with Ease: Create a meal plan and ingredient list for every gathering you’re hosting. This is the perfect time for a pantry clean-out!
- Plan for Downtime: Adding space for relaxation makes the holidays more enjoyable for everyone.
3. Give Your Guest Room a “Glow Up”
Welcome overnight guests with a well-organized space. Take the time now to ensure there are clean sheets, blankets, and fresh towels ready to go.
- Check for: Air mattress leaks, stock up on extra toiletries, and remove any stray items that have migrated into the guest room.
- The “Boutique” Touch: Make them feel extra special by including a luggage stand, fresh water bottles, and fancy chocolates on their pillows!
4. Wrap and Roll
Prepare your wrapping station now to avoid a late-night run for supplies! A complete station includes paper, tissue, gift bags, scissors, tape, and ribbon.
- Theme it Up: Choose coordinating papers or solid colors that can be used year-round. Get a stash of whatever best fits your unique style.
- Pro Tip: Buy more tape and scissors than you think you need! Keep a pair of scissors in the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom for easy access.
- Contain the Chaos: Use long bins, under-the-bed storage, or our favorite, the Elfa rolling cart, to keep all your supplies in one mobile spot.
5. Sit Back and Enjoy
Our final tip is to schedule a dedicated hour, night, or day just for you. Whatever that looks like, make sure YOU enjoy the fruits of your labor. Take a deep breath and let yourself be present in the season you’ve worked so hard to prepare!
Bonus: Holiday Prep Bingo!
As a gift to you, we created this Holiday Prep Bingo Card! Save it to your phone or print it out to keep your preparations on schedule and have a little fun while you’re at it.
Let Us Handle the Holiday Hustle
Does your holiday “to-do” list still feel a mile long? At Getting it Done Organizing, we want you to actually enjoy your holiday, not just survive it. Spend time making wonderful memories with your family instead of stressing.
Whether you need a team to decorate your home, a professional reset of your guest suite, or someone to create a perfect holiday storage system as you pack it all away, we are here to help. We’ll handle the heavy lifting, the labeling, and the logistics so you can focus on making memories.
Click here to schedule your Holiday Prep Consultation and let’s make this your most fun and relaxed season yet!
