The holiday season is an exciting time of year for everyone. The weather gets cooler, decorations come out, and treats are baked. With that excitement comes stress. It’s a busy time of year and can be hard to balance work, festivities, and family gatherings. Preparing your house for the holiday season might feel like the least important thing on your list, but it can make a big difference and it doesn’t have to be a lot of work.
Here are 5 simple things you can do to help your home feel festive and functional for the holidays.
1. Declutter
Take a few hours out of a day to go around to each room and remove things you are no longer using. It doesn’t have to be in-depth decluttering, but spending 20-30 minutes in each room can make a big difference. It might help to have a donate box and a trash box to help you easily sort items. Decluttering will help the space feel lighter and make it easier to clean in preparation for house guests.
2. Find Your Favorite Seasonal Scent
The holiday season is known for its wonderful smells, whether it be cinnamon, apples, baked goods, or pine. Incorporating those scents in your home can bring joy and warmth. It will help you feel more festive and set the tone for the season. Use a whole house air freshener to disperse your favorite seasonal scent throughout every room of your house. It is a subtle change that can make a big difference in the overall atmosphere of your home.
3. Decorate
Decorating can be overwhelming and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. A few seasonal touches in each room can make a big difference. There are plenty of DIY holiday decorations that can be done easily and affordably. An even simpler option is to bring nature indoors. Branch clippings, wildflowers, and pinecones can all be used as decoration. Don’t forget to decorate less-used rooms too! Having little holiday touches in the bathrooms and master bedroom will make a big difference.
4. Stock Your Pantry
The holiday season is a season of baking, cooking, and snacking. It’s important to have all the essentials so you don’t have to leave the festivities to run to the grocery store. It never hurts to stock up on chocolate chips, sugar, and butter when getting your home ready for the holidays.
5. Prep Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the most-used room in the home, especially during the holidays. This is a good time to make sure all your appliances are working properly, your knives are sharp, and you have enough dinnerware to suit your needs. If you’ve been avoiding an oven or refrigerator tune-up, this might be the time to finally do it. You don’t want your oven dying two hours before Thanksgiving dinner.
Preparing your home for the holidays will make it a safe haven for you during the holiday season. It will help you feel less like a Grinch, and more prepared to make happy, warm memories with your family and friends.
