Prepare Your Home for the Holidays: 4 Tasks You Can Do Now To Ease The Stress Later

Home Week

Previously, I talked about how it was important to prepare you heart for the Holidays. This month I'm touching on how you can prepare you home. Planning ahead and getting your home in shape before the heart of the busy Holiday season arrives can help to reduce some of the stress. I cover four areas that can be tackled early on.

Declutter
Take time before you put up your holiday decorations to spend time decluttering your living spaces. Grab a box and walk through one room at a time. Gather items that belong elsewhere and return those items to their homes. Use another box or container to gather items that can be donated. Have a trash bag close by to toss the unwanted stuff. It's much easier and more enjoyable to decorate a space that has been decluttered.

Cleaning
Make a list of cleaning tasks you would like done. Perhaps you can list them for each room of the house. Don't forget to give yourself a deadline. Do a little each day or week. Remember the refrigerator and oven. It's also a good idea to schedule the carpet cleaning or cleaning services. Read more on Holiday cleaning HERE.

Linens and Bedding
If you are going to be hosting dinners, gatherings or houseguests, take care of the linens and bedding ahead of time. Are the table clothes, napkins, guest towels and bedding all laundered and in good shape? Don't leave these for last minute surprises and last minute stress.

Stock the Pantry
Why not make sure your have all the necessities and basics on hand now? What baking supplies, beverages and nonperishable food items do you need? Take some time to make a shopping list before you go to the store to avoid multiple time-wasting trips.

Don't wait until the last minute to do everything. Start now and do a little as you go. Too often holiday stress is caused by doing so much in a small window of time. Stick to those tasks that support the focus and spirit of your family's Holiday season.

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Check out more Countdown to Christmas organizing tips and ideas.