Get Ahead Before the Holidays: 7 things future you will thank you for
The holiday season has a funny way of feeling far away… until suddenly it isn't.
November fills up.
December gets even busier.
There are gatherings, school events, shopping, decorating, baking, visitors, work commitments and all the regular everyday tasks that still need to happen.
That is why the end of October is actually one of the best times to do a little preparation.
Not because you need to have Christmas completely planned before Halloween.
But because a few small jobs now can make the next two months feel significantly easier.
Here are seven things your future self may thank you for.
1. Declutter the Main Gathering Spaces
If you know people will be visiting over the holidays, you do not need to declutter your entire house.
Focus on the spaces people will actually use.
That might include:
the entryway
living room
kitchen
dining room
guest bathroom
Remove anything that no longer needs to be there, return stray items to their proper rooms and clear a little breathing room.
Even one decluttered surface can make holiday decorating and entertaining easier later.
2. Check Your Holiday Supplies Before Buying More
Before buying wrapping paper, gift bags, tape, batteries, decorations or baking supplies, see what you already have.
Holiday items often get stored away for most of the year, which makes them especially easy to forget.
Do a quick inventory.
You might discover five rolls of wrapping paper, a pile of unused gift bags and enough tape to make it through several Christmases.
Knowing what you have helps prevent unnecessary purchases and duplicate clutter.
3. Create a Gift-Wrapping Station
This does not need to be Pinterest-worthy.
Choose one box, bin, drawer, cupboard or corner where holiday wrapping supplies can live.
Keep together:
wrapping paper
gift bags
tissue paper
tape
scissors
tags
ribbon
cards
When December arrives, you will know exactly where everything is.
Even better, keep a pen and a small notepad nearby for gift lists.
4. Make Space Before More Comes In
The holidays often bring new items into the home.
Toys.
Clothing.
Kitchen gadgets.
Books.
Décor.
Gifts.
Before that happens, October and November are excellent times to remove things your household no longer uses.
This is especially helpful in children's rooms and play areas.
Look for:
toys that have been outgrown
clothing that no longer fits
duplicate items
books no one reads anymore
broken items
things that have not been used in a long time
You do not need to convince yourself to let go of everything.
Just create a little space.
5. Reset the Pantry and Freezer
Holiday cooking becomes much easier when you know what you already have.
Take a quick look through your pantry, fridge and freezer.
Use up foods that have been sitting around.
Dispose of expired items.
Group similar ingredients together.
Make a note of staples that need replenishing.
If possible, create a little freezer space before holiday baking, batch cooking and leftovers begin competing for room.
6. Get Ahead on the Jobs Everyone Forgets
There are always little household jobs that suddenly become urgent when company is coming.
Guest towels.
Extra bedding.
Light bulbs.
The coat closet.
The powder room.
Serving dishes.
Instead of discovering a problem an hour before guests arrive, check a few of these things now.
Wash the spare bedding.
Make sure you have enough hangers.
Check that guest towels are easy to find.
Find the serving dishes you only use twice a year.
Future you will be very grateful.
7. Decide What You Are NOT Doing This Year
Getting ahead is not only about completing more tasks.
Sometimes it means intentionally deciding what you can skip.
Maybe you do not need three trees.
Maybe every room does not need to be decorated.
Maybe you are ordering dessert instead of baking it.
Maybe you are using gift bags instead of wrapping everything.
Maybe you are saying no to one gathering because the calendar is already full.
Simplifying the holidays means choosing what actually matters to your household.
Not automatically doing everything because you have always done it.
Start Small Now
You do not need an entire weekend dedicated to “getting ready for the holidays.”
Choose one small thing this week.
Clear the front closet.
Check the wrapping supplies.
Donate a bag of clothing.
Clean out one freezer drawer.
Wash the guest bedding.
Twenty minutes now can save you a surprising amount of stress later.
Because the goal is not to create a perfectly organized holiday season.
It is to make December feel a little easier.
And if you already know there are areas of your home you want tackled before the holidays arrive, Simplify Life can help.
From decluttering and organizing to laundry, household resets, donation coordination and those extra tasks you simply do not have time to get to, sometimes getting ahead starts with asking for an extra set of hands.
