7 Fall Organizing Tips for Holiday Prep

For some, this is the year you’re ready to invite friends and family to celebrate the holidays. For others, you’re just looking to stay ahead of the holiday crush from your immediate circle. Either way, there’s definitely calm in the chaos if you add a little holiday prep and organization to the mix this fall. 

Use these tips to help you get ready for the holiday season; no matter if you’re preparing for four, eight, or 12, there’s helpful advice curated just for you. 

1. Make a chore list and schedule.

You might think you have all the get-ready-for-the-holidays chores burned into your brain and under control, but a checklist and schedule for October and November (and probably some of December) could help keep you focused and moving forward each week. They’ll help combat the normal distractions tumbling through your mind every day, like those last-minute gift exchanges or cookie swaps.

A game plan with detailed tasks and chores increases the likelihood you’ll feel prepared before the first guests arrive. You’ll want to include something you can accomplish each day, whether it’s small, like gift wrap organization, or time-intensive, like cleaning and organizing the refrigerator. These categories will help you get your list started:

• Cleaning chores
• Storage/organization 
• Shopping
• Guest room preparations

After you’ve created your personalized notes, make sure they cover these must-do chores before the holidays arrive. 

2. Clean out and organize your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.

There’s nothing more embarrassing than for an overnight guest to see fridge scum when they reach for the coffee creamer. You don’t want them left wondering if the holiday meal you’re making is safe to eat. This project takes some time, so give yourself at least a day to trash old, rotten food, wipe down shelves and drawers, and sanitize the surfaces. Toss in a box of baking soda to help deodorize. 

Pantries get out of control quickly because so many family members have access and put in and pull out items willy-nilly. Now is the time to pull out expired food. Also, keep an eye out for old baking products and any items you’ll need to replace before feeding guests. If your space is limited, think about buying shelves or hanging racks to add efficiency and space. 

3. Deep clean your kitchen.

Your kitchen is going to get a workout, so don’t start behind the cleaning curve. You’ve already done a big chunk of the work cleaning the refrigerator, freezer, and panty. Take the deep clean to the finish line! Now it’s time to tackle baseboards, cabinets, appliances, and more. 

Not only will you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but chances are, your guests will want to hang out in there, too. So take the time to clean the light fixtures of cobwebs and any visible dirt or dust from other easily viewed surfaces. 

4. Start a holiday food shopping list.

Now that you know exactly what food is and isn’t available in your kitchen, it’s time to restock and prep the ingredients for holiday meals and snacks. It looks like we’ll be dealing with more shortages in supply chains this year, so it’s imperative to keep your list on hand and pick up what you can when you see it. You won’t have the luxury of last-minute this year, especially if your recipes call for hard-to-find items. Shop as early as possible to make sure your family’s favorites show up on the table.  

5. Take a hard look at your guest room and bathroom.

Would you want to spend two or three nights there? If not, think about what you can improve. You might need to add more lighting, better sheets and towels, a space heater, or a floor fan. Tailor the list to your guest’s needs to help them feel at home. Small touches, like bottles of water, a single-serve coffee maker or sound machine, and snacks boost the guest experience even more. 

6. Update your entryway or mudroom.

With extra people in the house, you can expect an overload of cold gear: boots, coats, hats, and gloves. If you need more storage to keep things off the floor, consider adding baskets, waterproof boot mats, wall hooks, and coat racks. If you have room, add a table to store keys and personal bags. And, if there’s even more space, a chair to take off chunky boots helps everyone. 

7. Prepare for presents.

No matter how you try, most families just can’t get away from giving and receiving too many holiday gifts, so get organized soon (anticipate stores with low supplies of gifts). Start with a list with who you’ll buy for, prepare a budget, and shop early. 

To make room for new presents at home, start the negotiations with your children about donating their unused or outgrown toys to charity. After, throw out broken toys and ruined books. You might have the chance to do a little bit of reorganization in the process. 

And finally, look for somewhere to store the gifts that need wrapping and all of the supplies to get the job done. If you can, set up a gift wrapping station in a corner or closet or dining room table in order to stay organized. If a dedicated space isn’t possible, promise yourself you’ll keep everything in one spot (like a plastic bin) to keep from hunting for scissors and tape each wrap session. Don’t forget—keep some mailing boxes on hand to use at the post office. 

If you’re like a lot of people, you’re probably really excited to host family and friends this year after so much time spent apart. Don’t let the necessary preparations take over all of your free time or overwhelm you the week before your guests arrive. Stick to your well-thought-out checklist and schedule to slowly but surely get everything taken care of. Then, sit back, relax and enjoy the company you’ve missed so much. 

By Dawn M. Smith for MilitaryByOwner