Are we seriously already talking about how to prep the home for the holidays? Yes, we are. Do you know why? Because, in an effort to alleviate holiday stress, we are vowing to be more ORGANIZED! Once Labor Day has come and gone, let’s face it…the time goes by like lightning from here on to New Year’s. No, we are not rushing things! Our Christmas trees aren’t up YET, ok!? But we do want to give you a head start on what can be the mayhem of the holiday season. As we see it, it is best to plan, so you can enjoy the special moments without thinking about the next holiday get-together, recipes to cook, gifts to wrap, shopping lists…yadda yadda. To properly prep the home for the Holidays, we’ve laid out 3 important steps to help you during this hectic time. Let’s get started.
1. Write It All Out
Grab a notebook or pull up the Notes app on your iPhone…whatever place is best to just unload all the things you need to do and get done to prep the home. There is so much to consider when it comes to the Holiday season. So let’s plan.
- Note the days of the holidays and festivities
- Note the holidays you are hosting
- Plan your menu(s)
- Note the days you want to tidy up the house
- Make your gift lists
- Pick some shopping days
- Designate “off limits” days to give your battery a chance to recharge
Having this all in one place will help map out the seemingly endless list of chores and errands. As with any schedule, you’ve got to stay flexible. Things will change, appointments come up, and the inevitable winter sniffles. Life happens. This schedule is meant to be a guide to help keep you on track, but don’t panic if things get out of order. Cross things off as they are completed. So satisfying.
2. Declutter and Deep Clean
I don’t know about you, but I can not think unless my space is tidy. So take some time in early September to declutter your home. It’s time to put away all the beach gear, tuck away summer activities, and go through those miscellaneous piles of mail and junk. If you don’t need it, toss it. If it is half broken and has been ignored for weeks, toss it. No lid to the stained tupperware bottom, just toss it. You will never find the top, just admit it! But seriously, there’s no point in keeping things around that you don’t use, or don’t make you happy. Don’t purge for no reason, but just ask yourself, is this worth the dust collection? Sometimes the answer will be, “YES, I love this knick-knack and I don’t care what anyone says!” But sometimes it will be a “Ya know what…I don’t want this anymore.” Donate any unwanted goods to a local thrift store, and move on. Someone else will enjoy it, but it’s time to just move along and move on.
There is nothing like a clean home. Once the piles are gone, and the donation bags are out of the house, it’s time to get to cleanin’. This does not have to be done in one day. Just pick a couple of rooms to start, and scrub scrub scrub. If you do a room or two at a time, within a couple of weeks you can consider your home CLEAN. And it will feel amazing!
3. Spruce Up The Joint
There are lots of ways to spruce up the house as you prepare for the holiday season. We have outlined so many budget-friendly options for that home decor zhoosh. But we are in the frame game, so we will naturally suggest adding or swapping some art pieces as you prepare for the holidays Swap out your regular artwork and photos for seasonal prints or family photos in custom frames. This adds a personal touch and will tie your decor together.
Did you know that we can print new art for you? We offer a print-only option, so if you stumble across a new image you’d like to have us print, you can swap your art and keep the frames. NICE!
Places to source free art:
- Pexels
- Freepik
- Artvee
- Canva
Custom Picture Frame Options
LBF: The Little Black Frame
We have a number of black picture frames to choose from. Black frames are the classic go-to. Whether you’re looking to display family portraits, artsy photographs, or treasured keepsakes, the right black frame can make all the difference. Sleek and versatile, black frames provide the perfect backdrop to make your frameables shine.
Colorful Picture Frames
Add a splash of vibrancy to your space with our collection of colorful picture frames! Our hand-picked assortment of vibrant frames will bring life to any cherished memories or artwork you want to display. These frame options will let your personality shine!
Other Tips to Prep The Home For The Holidays
- Create a budget. Take a look at your finances and see what is realistic. Are things looking tight? We get it! So maybe a “Secret Santa” or Yankee Swap is in order.
- Shop early. We all know the mayhem of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but you don’t have to wait until then to shop for gifts. If you see it now, I say buy it, wrap it, and check that name off your list!
- Make it a family affair. It takes a village to prep the home for the Holidays! So don’t be shy and ask for help. You’re only one person, so get the kids to participate in the prep.
Final Thoughts
The Holiday season comes up fast and goes by even faster. The more we plan the more we can actually be present and in the moment and enjoy time with family and friends. If we’re constantly thinking about what we have to get done, we end up missing the best moments. If we start thinking about how to not only prep your home, but how to get organized for the holidays, we can avoid most of the stress. We hope. So start thinking about your plan so you can prep the home before the hectic months ahead.
