Preparing your home for the holidays can no doubt become stressful. There’s a lot of things to do, but with a little bit of planning, prepping your home for the holidays will become a good and relaxing time for you.
Here are five ways to prepare your home and set you on the right path towards a stress-free holiday season.
- Declutter
If anything, the holidays will surely bring a lot of clutter into your home. We’re talking about decorations, gift bags, gifts, cards, letters, wrapping papers, etc.
You might want to start putting up your Christmas decorations, setting up flower arrangements for these holidays, and sprucing up your home with lights right away. But before all that, you need to declutter it first. That means you need to get rid of any items or knickknacks that started to pile up all-around your house in the last couple of months.
You don’t need to throw out these extraneous items. You can always donate them to charities or other people in need—Christmas is the season for giving, after all.
- Clean
No amount of decorating or stocking up is enough to make your home feel and look ready if it’s not clean.
Start with the big tasks such as scheduling a chimney inspection and getting it cleaned and cleaning the gutters. This way, your home will be prepared in advance when your holiday guests arrive.
You should do your best to maintain the cleanliness of your home in the days leading up to the big celebrations. Remember that it’s easier to maintain a clean home than having to get your home clean in the first place.
- Prepare Your Kitchen
One of the areas of your home that will see the most action during the holidays is the kitchen. So, you need to prepare your kitchen as well. You’ll want to restock your pantry, stock your bar, and check your service wares. It’s also a good idea to stock your fridge or pantry with some snacks and treats that your family and guests can easily get for themselves.
If you are someone who loves to cook then you should make sure you have plenty of ingredients to use in cooking so that you do not have to run out to get ingredients.
Keep in mind that no matter how you celebrate the holidays, food will always play a huge part in it. Now is the time to make sure that all your kitchen appliances such as the fridge, food processor, stand mixer, etc. are all in good working condition.
- Stock Up
You should also shop as early as you can so you’ll have one less thing to worry about, especially if you plan on giving gifts this year. If your budget allows it, consider getting a couple of generic gifts for any unexpected guests that will arrive.
You also need to stock up food, beverages, and extra household supplies such as paper towels, hand soap, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and toothpaste. Even if your guests bring their own toiletries, there’s nothing wrong with being prepared in advance. A stress-free holiday season is achievable if you stock up on everything you need and get ready in advance.
- Baby and Pet Proof Your Holiday Decorations
Holiday decorations are a hazardous risk to both children and pets. Holiday decorations can pose risks to children and pets. Babies and pets are easily attracted to delicate ornaments that are hanging on Christmas trees. For instance, babies will try to reach the sparkling tinsels hanging on the Christmas tree which are choking hazards. Cats may even try to climb your tree. Dogs running around may also knock your tree down.
To ensure that your Christmas decors are safe for pets and children, avoid using tinsel and only use shatterproof ornaments. Keep your Christmas decors out of their reach as much as possible.
Lastly, avoid waiting for the last minute until you put up your holiday decorations. You’re going to be very busy doing other things during the holidays, so it’s better if you can put them up before the season starts. If you are someone who enjoys decorating then you should check out all of the different websites online that offer advice and information on how to decorate your home for the holidays.
Final Thoughts
Getting your home ready, decorated, and well-stocked plays a critical role in achieving a great holiday season. Playing as a host for the holidays is a tremendous honour and comes with a great deal of fun and excitement. With careful preparation and organization, you’ll be able to prepare your home for the holidays properly. Happy holidays!
