For six years, Kristina Lewis, founder and owner of EDH-based Blitz Organization, has been helping local homeowners make their houses beautiful and functional, providing services that include decluttering, sorting, organizing, labeling, and hauling. For the holidays, when it’s crucial for a house to look fabulous and run efficiently, we asked her to share some insight.
Where do you recommend people start with getting their house ready for the influx of décor, gifts, people?
Consider what is already in your home before bringing in more. Look at your current spaces. Are there things that have accumulated over the year that you no longer use? Are there areas that become cluttered when everyone is home? You don’t need to organize your entire house. Choose a few areas that will make the biggest impact. Entryway: Create a designated place for coats, shoes, bags, and anything guests might bring in. Kitchen: Clear countertops, make room for holiday cooking, and get rid of expired food. Living room: Make sure there is enough seating and space for people to gather comfortably. Guest room or sleeping area: Clear out anything that doesn’t belong. If you need a catchall room where you can temporarily put things, just give yourself a plan to revisit it after the holidays.
What are some organizational tips for the kitchen on Thanksgiving?
On Thanksgiving, your kitchen really has to work! You’re preparing multiple dishes, using appliances you might not touch the rest of the year, and trying to accommodate everyone who wants to help. First, take inventory of your menu and equipment. Do you have a working turkey baster? Is your roasting pan large enough? Where are the serving platters? It’s amazing how much stress you avoid by checking these things a week or two ahead of time. Next, clear out the spaces you’ll need. If you’re bringing out a large stand mixer, turkey roaster, or food processor, consider moving less frequently used items out of the kitchen temporarily.
Any recommendations for preparing an inviting space for houseguests?
The goal is to make guests feel comfortable without feeling like you need to create a hotel suite. Make sure their sleeping space is clean, comfortable, and functional. Fresh bedding, clean towels, and a place to put their suitcase and belongings goes a long way. If your guest room doubles as a storage room, that’s okay! Just clear enough room in the closet or dresser so guests have somewhere to put their belongings. I also recommend stocking the guest bathroom with extra toilet paper, hand soap, clean towels, and a few basic toiletries. A small basket with things like a phone charger, tissues, and bottled water can be a thoughtful touch.
What if guests will be crashing on your couch?
When space is limited, create a system that can be set up at night and put away quickly in the morning. I recommend keeping a dedicated guest basket or bin with sheets, blankets, pillows, and anything else needed for the sleeping arrangement. You can also temporarily relocate items that take up valuable space, like decorative pillows, extra blankets, or side tables.
How can people get control over holiday decorations and wrapping supplies?
The best holiday organization system makes putting everything away as easy as taking it out. For holiday decorations, I recommend storing items by category or by room. For example, keep tree ornaments together, outdoor decorations together, and mantel décor together. Use clear, sturdy storage containers and label them clearly. For string lights, wrap them around a piece of cardboard or a dedicated light reel to prevent tangles. Keep fragile ornaments in divided containers, and store frequently used decorations where they’re easy to access. For wrapping, I love a dedicated station. A rolling cart, drawer, or storage container can work beautifully. Keep wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper, ribbon, tags, tape, scissors, and pens together. Also, a designated place for gifts that have been purchased but not yet wrapped prevents last-minute searching and duplicate purchases.
Any last advice?
Give yourself permission to enjoy the holidays without feeling like your home has to be perfect. A beautiful home is wonderful, but a home where people feel comfortable, welcomed, and loved is even better.
You don’t need to organize your entire house. Choose a few areas that will make the biggest impact.
The goal is to make guests feel comfortable without feeling like you need to create a hotel suite. Make sure their sleeping space is clean, comfortable, and functional. Fresh bedding, clean towels, and a place to put their suitcase and belongings goes a long way.