5 Holiday Organizing Tips to Fill Your Cup With Cheer
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From late November to early January, there will be more pumpkin pie, Hallmark Christmas movies and college football games than you can jingle a bell at.
It’s the hap-happiest season of all! But if you’re in charge of hosting your family’s holiday celebration, it can also be one of the most hectic.
It doesn’t have to feel that way. In fact, you can view the seasonal bustle ahead as an opportunity to start the New Year in a freshly organized home.
“Once, a woman asked me how to ensure that she and her husband regularly keep their apartment free of clutter. I advised her to give a dinner party once a month. So, instead of looking at holiday entertaining as a problem, look at it as a solution.”Sharon Lowenheim | Organizing Goddess, Inc.
Ready to start containing the chaos? We rounded up five expert tips on holiday organizing that will keep your cup of cheer full.
Here’s How to Get Organized for the Holidays
Tip #1: Declutter and Organize
Getting rid of stuff can be very therapeutic—and will go a long way to keeping your home in order as guests come and go. So, your first step in organizing for the holidays is to make a decluttering to-do list. Here are the most important tasks to include:
- Make room in your coat closet for your guests’ things.
- Clear the clutter from your living room, dining room and other areas where guests will gather.
- Get rid of the kitchen gadgets you never actually use so you’ll have plenty of free space for holiday meal prep.
- Clear unnecessary items from bathrooms and spare bedrooms if you have overnight guests coming over.
According to Sharon Lowenheim, certified professional organizer at Organizing Goddess,focus on decluttering the areas where your guests will spend the most time: the living room, the bathroom and the kitchen or dining room:
“Go through those rooms to identify anything that doesn’t belong there, and move it to the appropriate rooms. Then tackle the stuff that does belong in those common rooms, and put it away.”Sharon Lowenheim | Organizing Goddess, Inc.
Check out our Ridiculously Thorough Guide to Decluttering Your Home for room-by-room tips if you need a little more organizing inspiration.
Tip #2: Decorate Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to put up holiday decorations.
Showcasing your decorative pumpkins, cornucopia or your display of Christmas lights is one of the best parts of hosting your family’s celebrations. But putting up those decorations is a big job. So, one of the best holiday organization tips is simply to get that job done before the season is in full swing.
But remember that the idea is to minimize clutter. Don’t overwhelm your space with crafts and other decorations. Display your favorites and leave plenty of room for your guests to mingle and enjoy them.
Tip #3: Keep It Simple
Being a host comes with its share of responsibilities, but don’t overwhelm yourself. You don’t need to plan dozens of side dishes, insist on 100 percent homemade desserts or display elaborate handcrafted centerpieces to host a wonderful holiday celebration.
Spending quality time with your loved ones is better than throwing the fanciest of fancy parties.
“If you are rushing to get everything done in time for the holidays, take a look at your to-do list. Are you doing things every year that you no longer enjoy, but that have become a tradition? Consider cutting some of them out. Maybe start a new tradition!”Sharon Lowenheim | Organizing Goddess, Inc.
Tip #4: Practice Wise Wrapping
One of the smartest ways to get organized for the holidays is to wrap gifts as you buy them. This way, you won’t be left with a major project to tackle at the last minute. And you won’t be tripping over piles of presents while you’re trying to declutter.
Stash all your gift wrap, ribbons, tape and scissors in a plastic bin you can slide under a bed or a tote that can be tucked away in a corner. This portable “wrapping kit” will make it easy to keep your home organized between shopping trips.
Tip #5: Call for Reinforcements
Everybody knows that holiday organization is a big job. So, there’s no shame in asking for help. And there are plenty of simple ways to split up the work. For example:
- The host is in charge of the main dish and each guest is in charge of bringing a side.
- You are in charge of decluttering while your partner is in charge of the meal (or vice versa).
- You handle the outside decorations while your partner handles the inside décor (or vice versa).
- Ask for a few volunteers to come over early on party day to help with cooking and other last-minute chores.
- Ask for a few volunteers to help with decorating.
Whatever would work best for your family, don’t be afraid to speak up. It’s the season of giving and most of your guests would appreciate the opportunity to lend a hand.
Now that you know how to get your home organized for the holidays, you can enjoy the spirit of the season without the stress. And if you know of any more holiday organization tips, let us know in the comments below.www.fullcirclehousing.comwww.fullcirclehousing.com
