As we witness this past year flying right by, unsure what happened to most of it, reality sets in that the holiday season is quickly approaching. It seems like we just took down our decorations from last year. I realize our house waits until the thaw to take the outdoors décor down, but still…already?
Well, after double-checking the calendar to make sure…yes, already. We can either sit, wondering what happened to the majority of 2012, or we can accept the fact that it’s nearly gone. But, it really isn’t completely gone yet. In fact, the best is yet to come. If you like the holidays, that is. And, I’m assuming you do, since you are reading an article about the holidays.
So, how can you start preparing now, in order to relieve some of the stress that is associated with the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Read on, because I am going to share some tips.
Tip #1- A Little Winter Cleaning
A little extra cleaning before you even get the decorations out will help ease you into the transition of hosting parties, baking holiday goodies, and trimming the tree. Instead of worrying about cobwebs and stains in the carpet as guests are about to arrive, you should do most of the heavy duty cleaning now.
This is true for both indoors and out. If you have a lot of company stopping by, or extra deliveries for the season, a little TLC on the outside would be appreciated by all. Sweep away all the excess leaves, wash down the decks, and put away all the toys.
Inside, have the carpets, upholstery, and window treatments cleaned. Also, take a look at how you can ‘make room’, especially in the cupboards and freezer. If you host parties, you are well aware of the need for extra space needed for things such as holiday dishes, foods bought or prepared ahead of time, and last minute gifts from others.
Tip #2 – Look for Quick Fixes
We all have issues within our homes that could stand a little extra care or tweaking. When you are cleaning thoroughly look for things that might prove to be a nuisance when people are over for family gatherings or parties.
This could be a leaky faucet, crooked cupboard door, or a broken toilet handle. Fix them now, so you don’t have to worry about it when it really gets hectic for you.
Another thing we do around our house is change light bulbs ahead of time. You will know if a bulb hasn’t been changed in a while. If it hasn’t, change it out now, rather than having the light burn out on a guest in the bathroom on the night of the party.
Tip #3 – Touch Up Paint Projects
Both inside and outside might have a few areas that could use a paint touch up. If you have the paint on hand from when you first painted, it makes it easier. But, areas that you will want to check are the following:
- Front door
- Interior doors
- Walls
- Trim and indoor shutter
- Outdoor wood shutters
- Exterior house numbers
Of course, I am not suggesting you do a complete painting project during this time…unless, you have the time and it needs it. However, a nice pop of color on the front door or the shutters might give your exterior a great new appearance.
Tip #4 – Decorating ahead of Time
We like to take advantage of a nice day early on to hang all our lights outside. It’s time consuming, and often requires bare hands to get them all connected. So, I prefer to work on a day where my hands won’t go numb. This doesn’t mean we turn them on in October or even before Thanksgiving…but, they are ready to be turned on, when it’s time.
Inside, we start decorating a minimum of a week ahead of when we want it done…minimum. This is for two reasons. First, it allows time for running to the store to replace items that might need replacing. And second, I’m never satisfied when it’s first put out. I adjust, and adjust…and sometimes adjust a third time before it feels right, over the next week or two.
Tip #5 – Check Your Dishes and Utensils
Make sure you have enough serving dishes and utensils ahead of time to know if you have enough, or that they are not chipped or damaged. This is especially true for anything that plugs in such as warmers, crock pots, or coffee and espresso makers.
If you are going to use them, clean them ahead of time as well, to save time on the day of the gathering.
Tip #6 – Shop and Prepare Ahead of Time
Hosting a party requires a little planning. The more you can do ahead of time, the more stress you can take off your shoulders. Plan the menu, clip coupons, and look for sales on non-perishable products. This will save you both time and money.
If there is anything on the menu that you can prepare ahead of time and store in the freezer, you might want to consider that as well. Just make sure to take it out of the freezer early enough to thaw naturally.
In Closing
So, there you have it. Six tips in how preparing your home ahead of time for the holidays can help reduce some of the stress that the holiday season brings with it.