Relax. Company’s coming. You have a million things to do…which do you tackle first? What gets put off to the side? And what never gets done? If you plan on reducing holiday stress this year it’s time to adopt some organizational strategies to make holiday preparation a breeze.
I’m often asked, “how do I get it all done in my home” and honestly, we have a running joke with my neighbors who say, “you’re at it again,” as they pass by. Yes, we’re constantly working on our home (it’s kind of our zen), but the secret is if you plan and schedule a time, just a little everyday, to maintain your home you feel a lot less stress when it comes time to entertain. You can focus on the little details and what’s on the menu verse scrubbing the floor or figuring out where to hide your clutter.
Write It Down.
Did you know writing a to-do list can actually reduce stress. If you’re worried about forgetting something or keeping up with your responsibilities make a list. A to-do list will help eliminate mental clutter, help you track your errands and gives you a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
Mark the Calendar.
To make sure you have enough time to get everything done on your list, schedule it out on a calendar of the top 3 things that you have to get done today. Ask yourself what has to get done today? What’s priority? Or is there a sequence in which something has to get accomplished? If you conquer tasks in more sizable chunks you’ll get more accomplished. For example, I like to do a deep cleaning for the month before I change the holiday decor then I can just maintain the house by wiping down surfaces daily. A deep clean includes all the items you don’t do on a regular basis. It means wiping down baseboards, cleaning behind and under furniture, washing windows, cleaning out the oven, scheduling your upholstery, blinds and window treatments for cleaning and much more.
Tastefully Decorate.
Many times stress happens because homeowners feel they have to display a decades worth of holiday decor and then continue to change it out once, twice, maybe even three times to celebrate each holiday. By dumbing down your decor, strategically placing festive pieces and reusing daily accessory items you already have on display you can cut your decorating time in half. Rather than displaying every strand of light you own on your home try using a spotlight to highlight a festive wreath on the door and some white lights on your bushes. Want more ways to easily show off your home this holiday season:
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Less is More.
In order to stress-less do-less and I don’t mean throw your responsibilities out the window, but consider down-sizing your holidays. Do less. Are you a victim of your own perfectionism? Or do you find yourself saying ‘yes’ too often? Focus on what sparks joy in your life, not exclusively on what you think will please others. Buy less. Consider doing a secret santa or having a spending limit on gifts. Cook less. Ask for your guests to bring an appetizer, drinks or dessert to the holiday dinner. Travel less. Staying put can give you uninterrupted time to relax, refresh and re-emerge stronger and less stressed.
I believe the holidays should be a time of reflecting, peace and gathering with loved ones, not stressing and strife. As a host, when you’re stressing about something you make your guests uncomfortable and ultimately question why they agreed to come the party. So, before you lash out at Uncle Ed…take a breath, relax and join me for our FREE Online Class, “10 Ways to Maintain a Show-Ready Home During the Holidays That Welcomes Guests (Even Unexpected Ones.)”
Let’s make this a great holiday season, who’s with me?
