No matter how many times you do it, preparing your home for the holidays is no easy feat. Things around the house can get a little overwhelming, especially if you are hosting guests. You’ll want to ensure that everything goes smoothly so you can all eat, play, and celebrate together. To make things easier, here’s how you can get your home ready for the holidays.
De-clutter and Clean Thoroughly
Before you can enjoy the holidays in peace, a little purging might be necessary. It can be deeply satisfying to get rid of clutter before you start cleaning your home for the holidays. Over the course of a year, we all tend to gather things that take up valuable space. If you jump straight into cleaning without getting rid of clutter, it can be an uphill battle. It is essential to first go through all the rooms and purge your closets and other areas. Once you are done decluttering, you will then be better prepared to do a thorough cleaning of the entire home.
Prepare the Kitchen
The kitchen is the center of your home, and it becomes even more important during the holidays. If you’re like most people and spend a lot of time there baking treats and cooking, you need to ensure that everything works as it should. Apart from that, you must also get all the small things that are missing ahead of time. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to prepare, as trying to get things in order when guests are around can make it doubly stressful and take away from your time with them.
If you are going to be preparing a lot of food, it’s advisable to deep clean the fridge and the oven. You also want to plan when it comes to the food you will be cooking. It might make sense to get all the ingredients you need in one place and maybe even prep some dishes in advance.
Decorate Main Spaces
Whether you are expecting visitors or not, a touch of holiday decor can make your home more welcoming and cozier. You might not want to decorate every room, as this can be costly and time-consuming. Instead, work on ensuring that the main spaces are properly spruced up. Look for some holiday lights, themed pillows, and if it’s Christmas you are getting ready for, you can’t forget the Christmas tree! You can also throw in some holiday placemats and dish towels in the kitchen and dining areas. Other rooms that might not necessitate a full makeover can still benefit from a few small touches.
The weeks leading into the holidays can be stressful. Having to make last minute preparations and plans can take you away from time that might be better spent with loved ones. Following these simple tips and being mindful of time beforehand can ensure that when they show up, you are able to be present and relish in your time together.
