Getting your home ready for the holidays involves a lot more than preparing extravagant meals and buying gifts. You might not be hosting guests or hitting the road this year but there are some steps you should take to get your house holiday ready. Here are the six tasks you should have on the prep list so that you can enjoy the holiday season to the maximum.
- Declutter
Holidays bring a lot of clutter in your life. There will be rolls of wrapping paper, decorations, gift bags, crafts, gifts, plates of cookies, and a lot more. Before you start to decorate your house with a set of lights, you need to clear out the extraneous belongings that are laying around the house. It is also a great time to make charitable donations so if you no longer need clothes and other items, consider donating them. Everyone does extra cleaning at this time of the year and it will make additional space for all the new gifts. If you have family visiting, you do not want the excess junk coming in their way. So start with your closet and declutter as much as you can.
2. Focus on the exterior
A lot of us tend to make the mistake of cleaning and decluttering only inside the house. However, it is equally important to focus on the exterior of the house. You need to declutter the backyard or the garden and start with decorating them. Clean the windows and put up string lights on the path leading to the doorway. According to Geek Window Cleaning, a company that specializes in pressure washing in Houston, the exterior of your home speaks volumes and builds the first impression on visitors. Get rid of the leaves, twigs, and any unnecessary stuff lying in the backyard. If the weather is on your side, you can organize a nice, little party outdoors.
3. Check the outlets
Displays, strings of lights, and additional trimmings of holiday decorations could be hard on the home electric system. So, if you intend to go wild, it is best to speak to an electrician for extra circuit power at your home. It is best to get a whole house surge protector installed or get the old one inspected.
4. Fire-proof the tree
You need to take the right safety precautions if there is a tree in your house. Christmas trees can be a huge contributor to house fires and they can be deadlier than all the other types of house fires. It is important to ensure that the tree is fresh and well-watered to reduce the risk of fire. Once you get the tree home, you need to cut an inch or two from the bottom before placing it in the water. You need to ensure that it has enough water to cover the base of the trunk and you might need to refill it daily. Put it far from heat sources and away from direct sunlight. Use a room humidifier to prevent it from drying out.
5. Clean the fridge
It is always a good idea to give the fridge a deep clean before the holidays. Fridge space is at a premium during the holidays and it is a time of overindulgence and parities. This means you will need additional space for meal prep and baking projects. If you have guests coming over, you will need to store dishes in the fridge before it is time to serve. Remove everything that is no longer in use and has passed the expiry date. You can stock up on fresh items later.
6. Stock your home with essentials
Whether you have guests at home or not, you need to stock up the fridge and kitchen with the essentials. The holiday season is all about delicious food and a lot of time with family. Head out a few weeks before the holidays set in and stock up on all the essentials you may need. Make a list of the groceries you will require. If you are a baker who loves to prepare delicious cookies for everyone, you will need to buy all the supplies. Start preparing a shopping list well in advance and when you are ready, head to the market and stock your home with fresh items.
These six tips will help prepare your home for the upcoming holidays. This year has been different for all of us and this holiday season is the time to feel grateful for everything you have. If you are fortunate enough to have friends and family spending the holidays with you, be grateful for the special moments and love. Set up your home well in advance so that you can sit back and relax during the holidays. If you find it difficult to handle everything yourself, ask friends or family for support.
