Get a head start on the holidays with these 7 early preparation tips for a stress-free season!
The holidays will be here before you know it, and you don’t have to wait to prepare. Here are seven ways to start preparing now to make the season easier.
1. Deep Clean Your House
It’s easy to neglect your home when you have a long list of to-dos, but it’s vital if you will have guests over the holidays or be busy visiting others. Deep cleaning can help keep it fresh throughout the season.
It’s a great time to tackle the things you don’t think about when doing your regular once-over. Be sure to polish hardwood and tiles, sanitize carpets, clean baseboards, wash curtains and dust hidden surfaces.
Here’s where to start:
- Start at the top: If you clean your floors before your shelves, fans and ceilings, they’ll likely end up coated with dirt and debris. Tackle your highest surfaces first so dust lands on the floor and you can clean it last.
- Declutter before cleaning: Sorting and reorganizing your items will provide more space to work.
- Break it into chunks: Deep cleaning your home can be overwhelming. Breaking your home into sections by room or category can make things more manageable.
Having a deep-cleaned home can help you relax in a chaotic season.
2. Prep Your Guest Room
If you have a guest room, it is time to prepare it for your holiday guests. It’s a task that often gets pushed aside until you rush around at the last minute to get clean sheets on the bed.
Freshening up the guest room can impress your family and friends. Washing the textiles, adding fun decor and clearing out the closet can help them relax after their travels. Deep clean your bathroom and install a shower caddy for their soaps and shampoos. It’s great to have loved ones close, especially at this special time of year. Having a separate space for them to relax can help everyone enjoy their time together.
Consider offering candles, different pillow options and books to look through as they wind down. The better everyone sleeps during the holidays, the more enjoyable they can be.
3. Stock up on Sides
Unless you enjoy the pre-feast rush, you can begin looking for sales on canned goods that can help you prep your holiday meals. Canned cranberries, pumpkin, vegetables and baking ingredients often have a long shelf life. Stocking up now can save you time and money by the time November and December come around.
This is also an excellent time to grab candy. Purchasing things now could save you from dealing with holiday prices and ensure you have what you need.
4. Start Buying Gifts
There is no specific gift-buying season for Christmas and other holidays. If you have money and storage space, buy the item you want to give someone at any time of year.
You can avoid upcoming toy crazes and competitive sales by watching for deals and grabbing items when it is advantageous. Consider preordering things your child will want but could become scarce in November or December.
Make a list or label each gift as you purchase them to remember what is for whom.
5. Make Travel Arrangements
Holiday travel is back in full swing, which means booking your flights and hotels early can ensure your plans don’t have to change. This ensures everyone sits together or gets rooms near each other. Consider whether you need to update your luggage or rent a vehicle during your trip. Now also gives you time to develop a secondary plan if adverse weather conditions get in the way.
Airline prices fluctuate each week and month but will skyrocket as Thanksgiving and Christmas flights begin filling up. Approximately four in 10 Americans travel from November to mid-January, so it’s best to get ahead. Now may also be the time to stock up on gas cards since those prices also increase during the holiday travel season.
6. Fill Out Cards
There is no rule on when to fill out holiday cards. Writing a few daily can make the task much less stressful if you have an extensive list.
Preparing your cards now lets you get any addresses you might not have or purchase a few books of stamps at a time. You can take personal photos now and make any needed changes before sending them out.
7. Clear Out Your Phone Storage
Holidays are a popular time for taking pictures. It’s easy to forget that smartphones have storage limits until you’re trying to capture a magical holiday moment and it refuses to cooperate. Take time to go through your pictures and see what you can delete or offload onto another device.
You can also expand your cloud storage — consult your provider on your options.
Getting Ready for the Holidays
The holidays are a busy time. Preparing what you can now can help you relax, enjoy the season more and make the most of this special time of year.
Cora’s passion is to inspire others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – wholeheartedly convincing them that everyday moments are worth celebrating. Cora has spent 5+ years writing for numerous lifestyle sites – hence her sincere love for both life and the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
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