The holidays are a joyous and magical time of year! They grace us with the time-honored traditions of decorating our homes, gift-giving, and embracing our family and friends. As soon as November rolls around, the thought of it all stresses us out. Wouldn’t it be nice to put a plan in place and get organized?
Waiting for the last minute is never a good thing. Whether your checklist includes purchasing gifts, updating your holiday décor, or replacing your broken gravy boat, getting a head start in November by creating a to-do list will provide you with a solid plan and greater clarity. Below are several suggestions to get you started.
Start shopping in stores and online in November, so you have enough time to find the perfect gifts. Make your list, including teachers, work friends, neighbors, and relatives. If you’re unsure what to buy someone, gift cards are the answer. Everyone appreciates an Amazon card. Why stress yourself out?!
Be prepared to climb the steps up to the attic or down to the basement for your holiday decorations and supplies, and go through them as soon as possible. Check and replace lights if needed. You may want to buy extra batteries and consider shopping for new decorations to keep your themes vibrant and current. Over the years, artificial greens can get sad-looking. Be sure to replace them to freshen things up.
Do you plan on entertaining? Go through your platters, glasses, and dishes and replace anything cracked or chipped. Did you run short of pots and plans last year? You may want to buy some additional cookware. Tablecloths, candles, and home décor also add to the ambiance, so make sure you have what you need.
If your kitchen is not organized, now is the time to get it done. It will make your holiday entertaining run much more smoothly.
Declutter your home by taking a critical look to see what areas have unused or unnecessary “stuff” in them. It is a daunting task if left to the last minute–and it usually results in things getting stuffed into closets and lost. Instead, take a trash bag, set a timer for 20 minutes each day, and get it done!
No matter what area you decide to tackle, starting early is the key to getting organized for the holidays. The critical thing to remember is that everything takes longer than you think. Planning ahead and spreading the work out is a thoughtful and organized way to enjoy stress-free holidays, empowering you to relax and enjoy this wonderful time of year.
Can’t do it all by yourself? Call a home organizing professional to climb the ladder, clear out your kitchen, decorate your space, and help you prepare for a festive holiday season!
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Hope Kerner is a professional organizer whose company, All Things Neat, helps people declutter and organize their homes. All Things Neat provides full-service move assistance from packing/unpacking, handling donations, and hiring antique appraisers and moving companies in Bergen County and surrounding areas.
Hope’s company also helps families navigate the disbursement of the home contents of departed loved ones. For a free in-home consultation or more information, contact Hope at allthingsneatbyhope.com, at 973-493-6359 or on Facebook or Instagram.
allthingsneatbyhope.com
"Getting a head start in November by creating a to-do list will provide you with a solid plan and greater clarity."