The winter holidays have arrived! With the kids off from school, Christmas decorations going up, and holiday cheer in the air, there's a lot to look forward to. However, this also means that there's just, in general, a lot to do. The winter holidays should be about enjoying yourself and not stressing over that long list of stuff to get done. Here is a list of quick organizing tips to help eliminate that stress and streamline your winter holiday planning. It's time to get things done and enjoy the holiday season!
Make a list and check it twice
Lists can be great for many things throughout the holiday season! My personal favorite is creating gift wishlists ;) but they also have more practical matters. If you are hosting or cooking a big meal this year, take inventory. Make an extensive list of all the decor, plates, silverware, and food you currently have to avoid overspending and buying things you already have.
Simplify card giving
If you're the type of person to give cards every year, you know exactly how time-consuming it can be to write and send every single one. To cut down on that time, think about changing up your card giving style this year. Automate your card sending by using a spreadsheet that lists all the recipient's information side by side for easy referencing. Or send out e-cards instead; with the state of technology today and the many e-card vendors out there, these cards can be really fun and creative!
Prepare the kitchen now
This goes along with making a list but if you are going to be cooking a big meal, start preparing the kitchen days in advance. There is nothing worse than going to cook and not being able to find all the cooking items you need, or, even worse, having to clean right before cooking. Start off by doing a purge and deep clean. Go through your fridge and pantry and remove any out-of-date items or food that you no longer need. Then dust and deep clean all countertops and appliances. Finally, take out any utensils or cooking supplies that you will be using, give them a good wash, and set them aside, ready to be used.
Wrapping station
Have a lot of gifts to wrap? Set up a wrapping station at a designated table. The best thing is to be able to store all of your wrapping supplies in one box. This box should include:
Wrapping Paper
Gift Boxes
Tape
Sharp scissors
Gift Bags
Tissue Paper
Ribbon
Gift Tags
Sharpie Marker and Pens
Gift Card Boxes
Don't forget to keep a trash can close by while to sweep all of the wrapping paper cutoffs away.
After the holidays-packing away
It's never too soon to start thinking about the future. After the holidays, undecorate with ease by storing ornaments and decor in separate containers. Holiday lights can easily become the biggest headache you'll face all year when you can't get them untangled. You'll save a lot of time and space if you wrap holiday lights around a piece of cardboard or toilet paper roll instead of just shoving them into a box.
Label Everything
Searching for a particular box with no luck can be really frustrating. Unless you're using clear bins, consider creating labels for your boxes. If your current boxes are unlabeled, the best time t begin this labeling is when packing everything away. When taking down your holiday decorations, label each box and list a few of the contents each time you fill a container.
Use cleaners with holiday scents
My final and favorite holiday tip is to buy and use cleaning supplies with seasonal holiday scents. Each brand always comes out with fun scents for the winter, like Pine, Peppermint, and Orange Clove, which are perfect for keeping your house clean while leaning into the holiday spirit.
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