The holidays are around the corner, and there are cupboards to declutter, kitchen appliances to clean, and decorations to put up. Holiday preparation can all feel overwhelming, but if you take these proactive steps to prepare for the holidays, you’ll be able to focus on having fun with your loved ones when they arrive.
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Organize Cleaning and Errands
The first step to tackling holiday preparation is identifying and organizing the tasks at hand. There are a few things you’ll need to do the day before, such as vacuuming and washing the dishes. However, most jobs can be done weeks in advance. This includes cleaning garbage disposals, wiping down or replacing the windows, or getting rid of baked-on food that’s fallen into your oven and burners. Prioritize and organize your tasks, so you do these two or three weeks before your friends and family visit, and you’ll be less burdened on the last day.
Kill Odors and Stains with Baking Soda
When it comes to tough stains and burnt food, a baking soda and water paste is a gentler alternative to chemical cleaners that’s still highly effective. Make your bathroom or kitchen appliances sparkle, coat the offending spots with a 2:1 mixture of baking soda to water, and it will be easy to remove.
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Keep Your Cutlery in Shape
Make sure that food prep is seamless by having your cutlery in order. Sharpen your knives, sanitize your cutting boards, and consider buying paper plates if you’d like to reduce your cleaning burden when you have long-term guests.
Stock Up on Spices
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Homemade eggnog, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin pies, and other treats are unbeatable for every holiday from Halloween to New Years. Having the right amount of the necessary spices on hand will prevent you from making last-minute trips to the grocery store.
Be Prepared for Overnight Guests
If you have family traveling from out of town, get the guest bedroom ready and stock up on essentials. You can never have too much conditioner, shampoo, soap, or toilet paper. It is possible to have too little, on the other hand. Even if your family members end up bringing their own toiletries, that only means that you’ll have additional products for your personal use when they leave.
Decorate Ahead of Time
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When the Halloween decorations go down, there’s no reason the Thanksgiving decorations can’t go up. The same goes for putting up Christmas decorations after Thanksgiving, too. If you get most or all of your decorating done in advance, you’ll have less on your plate in the busy days before your guests arrive. Also, don’t hesitate to add seasonal decorations or place fresh flowers in your guest room.
Give Yourself a Break
This is the time of year you should be focused on your family, friends and loved ones. The gesture of you opening your home to guests is enough to make you the most loved person in the family. By taking small steps leading up to your guests arrival, this time can be less stressful and you can focus on spending time with those you love.
