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The holiday season is upon us, and there is always so much to be done. That’s why I thought I would share these holiday preparation tips with you.
When you prep ahead, things tend to feel a little less stressful, so I am hoping these tips for holiday prep will help you stay on your “A game” this holiday season!
Use these tips below to help you to save your sanity during the hustle and bustle of the season.
Holiday preparation tips to stay ahead of the game
Plan ahead.
This is by far, the most important tip. Plan, plan, and then plan some more. Trust me, it will save your sanity.
Literally make a plan for everything from your gift list to the holiday meal.
Set a budget.
Setting a budget, and sticking to that budget will help you more than you realize. When you set your budget ahead of time, you can plan around that budget. It makes it easier not to overspend.
Make a gift list.
Start your list, and as you get ideas for specific people, write them down! I cannot tell you how many times I have thought of a great gift for someone, only to forget what it was, and end up purchasing something else.
For instance, my husband is getting a table saw so that he can make wood projects, and a robotic vacuum is on my list for my mom since she’s always multitasking around the house.
Grab a few extra gifts
I can’t tell you how many times there has been an extra guest at a holiday gathering, or even someone that I overlooked. Grab a few extra inexpensive gifts or gift cards for those occasions. They serve well as host/hostess gifts too if need be!
Wrap as you go.
I know to some, this may seem pointless, but it will be helpful since you won’t be waiting until the last minute to wrap the gifts.
Grab a notebook, or even a sheet of paper, and make a list of all of the people that you plan to buy gifts for. Then as you shop, write the gift next to their name, and add a star after the gift is wrapped.
Start decluttering and cleaning.
Many people are big on spring cleaning, and while that’s great, I like to declutter, and do a big purge and clean during the holiday season.
Now cleaning is a never-ending battle, but there are things that can make cleaning easier. For example, you can clean up as you make the mess, so that it’s not such a daunting task when you start to notice the clutter and mess piling up.
You can also clean as you’re doing other tasks thanks to technological advances such as the Neato D10 Intelligent Robot Vacuum. It can clean up to 2,700 sq. feet on a single charge, so you can literally vacuum while you’re putting up your holiday decorations. It excels at dust and debris pickup on all surface types thanks to the Helix Multi-Surface Brush.
Decorate the house.
Decorating is one of the most festive holiday traditions, though it can be a daunting task. If you plan ahead though, it can be effortless. Do one room at a time, and it won’t be so overwhelming or time consuming. Make it a family affair with holiday music to add fun to the decorating too!
Start baking early.
If you do a lot of holiday baking, such as Christmas cookies, you can start early and freeze those sweets. Just make sure that you store them in airtight freezer safe containers, and they will stay good for up to a month! I learned this lesson from my mom, who is always finishing up cookies on Christmas Eve. No thanks!
Plan the menu.
Menu planning in advance is always a good idea. That way you know what you will be serving, and you can shop for the ingredients ahead of time. This is also helpful n case any guests would like to bring a dish. You can let them know what you have covered. Also, it’s helpful information for any guests who happen to have food allergies.
Prepare the holiday table.
Everyone loves a magazine perfect holiday table, so if you plan this ahead of time, there will be less hiccups on the day of the party. Decorate the center of the table first, then set out your dinnerware, glassware, and silverware. You can even do cute little name signs too!
I sure hope that these tips can help reduce the stress that often comes with the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season.
