The holidays are a joyful time filled with celebrations, traditions, and gatherings with loved ones. However, they can also be stressful and hectic with all the shopping, cooking, cleaning, and hosting. Keeping your holiday must-haves organized can help reduce stress and clutter, making the most of the festive season. Here are some useful tips and strategies for keeping everything neat and tidy through the holidays.
Plan Ahead and Make Checklists
Planning ahead is key to staying organized during the holidays. Make checklists of everything you need to do and buy for events, meals, gifts, decorating, and cleaning. Check items off as you go so nothing falls through the cracks. Some things to include on your holiday to-do and shopping lists:
- Gifts for family, friends, coworkers, etc.
- Ingredients for holiday meals and baked goods
- Party supplies – decorations, servingware, etc.
- Greeting cards to send out
- Holiday clothes and accessories to buy
- Decorations to put up around the house
- Food, drinks, and refreshments for house guests or parties
- Cleaning supplies to do deep cleaning
- Items to donate or give to charity
Get your lists made early – even before holiday music hits the radio! Review them often and try to tackle a little each week. Being organized ahead of time helps prevent last minute stress.
Designate Spaces for Holiday Items
To avoid clutter, designate spaces around your home specifically for holiday items. Storage containers, closet shelves, garage space – get creative with the areas you already have available. Some examples:
Holiday Decor Storage
Use neatly labeled plastic bins, stacking containers, or storage bags to pack away holiday decor by type – tree ornaments go in one, wreaths and garlands in another, etc. Store decorative holiday dishware and linens together. Have a separate container for holiday lights.
Gift Wrapping Station
Set up a gift wrap area with all your supplies – wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper, ribbons, tape, scissors, and gift tags. Store it all together for easy access while wrapping presents. Use vertical paper organizers to neatly file wrapping paper rolls.
Guest Room or Coat Closet
Make space to store extra bedding, towels, toiletries, outerwear, and other items guests may need when staying over during the holidays. Having designated guest storage makes hosting easier.
Holiday Servingware Cupboard
Have a cupboard in the kitchen just for your seasonal serving platters, dishes, bakeware, table linens, and other entertaining supplies. This keeps your everyday kitchenware separate and decluttered.
Holiday Clothing and Accessories Closet
Make room in your closet for the holiday party clothes, shoes, jewelry, handbags, or accessories you only wear during the festive season. Use garment bags and shoe organizers to neatly store these items together until next year.
Organize Recipe and Gift Ideas Year-Round
Throughout the year, keep running lists of gift ideas, favorite holiday recipes, decorating ideas, traditions, and other plans for the upcoming holiday season. Lists like these prevent stressful last minute brainstorming and give you time to find the perfect gifts, plan parties and menus.
Gift Ideas List
Keep a running list on your phone or desktop of gift ideas for family and friends as you think of them. Note their hobbies, wishlists, or something they mentioned wanting. List ideas for kids, acquaintances, coworkers, teachers, etc.
Recipe Ideas List
Keep track of recipes you find for holiday meals, baked goods, cocktails, and party foods. Save recipes digitally or in a notebook. This will give you options when planning your menus.
Decor Ideas List
Use Pinterest boards or notes to save holiday decor ideas and inspiration you find during the year – tablescapes, mantel designs, outdoor lights display ideas, etc. Refer back when it’s time to deck out your home for the holidays.
Holiday Traditions List
Make a list of fun holiday traditions, activities, games, and outings your family enjoys year after year. Refer to it when making your holiday plans so you include favorites again. Update with any new ideas.
Use Technology to Organize Holiday Tasks
Take advantage of helpful technology and apps to stay on top of everything you need to manage during the holidays. Some options to try:
Digital Calendar
Use a shared digital family calendar to track everyone’s holiday events, travel plans, commitments, and important dates. You can quickly view, edit, and share.
Grocery Delivery Apps
Grocery delivery services can save you time shopping. Schedule deliveries ahead for party supplies, food, and ingredients on your holiday prep lists.
Online Gift Registries
Register at a couple stores or online. Email the registry link to extended family and friends for gift ideas. You can track purchased items and organize thank yous.
Reminder Apps
Set reminder alerts leading up to holidays – when to mail cards and gifts, take food out to defrost, pick up dry cleaning, etc so nothing slips your mind.
Email Newsletters
Subscribe to favorite store emails for promo codes and deals. Holiday coupon emails can help you save on gifts, party supplies, clothing, and more.
Digital Photo Storage
Use cloud photo storage to organize all your holiday party and family gathering photos each season. Share albums with family near and far.
Shop Early and Use Wishlists
One of the biggest holiday tasks is gift shopping. Avoid stress by starting early and organizing with wishlists.
- Start shopping early – Take advantage of sales throughout the fall season. Spread out shopping and don’t leave it all for December.
- Create an online wishlist – Use apps like Pinterest to make wishlists of ideas for yourself and others. Share links with family/friends for gift ideas.
- Ask for wishlists – Have kids, parents, spouses, etc make wishlists of items they want and email the links to share with family.
- Shop deals on planned items – If you know what you want to buy people, watch for coupon codes and sales on those items starting early.
- Order online – Order gifts online and have them shipped directly rather than going store to store. Saves time!
- Buy gift cards – Get gift cards for stores or services you plan to buy items from. You’ll have money set aside and ready.
- Shop alone – Gift shopping alone lets you take your time, browse, and avoid grumpy kids.
- Take gift notes – Note who you buy gifts for, purchases, prices, and if you need to mail them. Keeps all gifts organized!
Wrap Gifts as You Go
Don’t leave gift wrapping until the last minute! As you buy gifts, take time to wrap them right away before storing under the tree or in a closet.
- Clear a gift wrap area with all your supplies handy.
- Wrap on a large flat surface like a cleared kitchen island or table.
- If kids want to help, have them organize ribbons and gift tags.
- Channel your inner Monica Geller and neatly wrap box corners with crisp folds.
- Use decorative gift bags, tissue paper, and ribbon to quickly wrap odd shaped gifts.
- Attach gift tags immediately so gifts don’t get confused.
- Stack neatly wrapped gifts in storage bins until giving them.
Staying on top of wrapping makes giving gifts relaxed and enjoyable rather than frantic. Spread out the task over many weeks or months. Pop on a holiday movie while you work!
Organize Gift Giving Lists
The gifts have been bought and wrapped beautifully! But who gets what? Stay organized with some type of gift list.
- Make a list on your phone or paper with columns: person’s name, gift purchased, wrapped, mailed, etc.
- Check off as you buy, wrap, and give out gifts.
- Note which gifts need to be shipped or mailed and when.
- For stocking stuffers, organize by person into gift bags versus wrapping each tiny item.
- For kid gifts, keep a list by child with Santa gifts and family gifts.
- If shopping or giving with others, share the list so no duplicate gifts are given.
Keeping an organized gift list ensures you don’t forget anyone important during the holiday frenzy.
Keep Mail and Letters Organized
The holiday season brings an influx of cards, letters, and mail to organize.
- Set up a letter organizer tray or holiday card holder. Sort mail and cards into slots.
- Add incoming holiday cards to your address book for next year if needed.
- Write down charitable donations you make for tax purposes.
- Don’t let greeting cards pile up – write out your own cards in batches and mail promptly.
- Display your favorite holiday cards and refresh weekly by rotating with new arrivals.
- Keep a list of holiday cards received to help you track thank you notes.
- For holiday photo cards, display on your fridge or a bulletin board.
Staying on top of holiday mail prevents clutter and helps you keep track of all your seasonal correspondence.
Organize Holiday Meals and Baked Goods
Holiday hosting and baking involves lots of food planning and preparation. Staying organized in the kitchen makes the work more manageable and enjoyable.
Keep Detailed Cooklists
Whether cooking a feast or holiday treats, make detailed lists with every ingredient and supply needed. Check off items as you shop. List quantity, size, and brand if specific.
Schedule Recipes
Plan what you will make on which days. Make cookie dough or casseroles ahead of time and freeze. Evenly space out baking tasks over weeks.
Prep and Store Ingredients
As you shop, immediately store ingredients away together. Wash, chop, measure, and prepare ingredients that can be done in advance.
Label Leftovers
After holiday meals and parties, promptly label leftover food with name and date and store in the fridge or freezer. First in, first out.
Soak Dishes
Stay on top of cleanup. After events, soak greasy dishes and pans to prevent stains and make washing easier later.
Clean as You Go
Don’t leave the entire kitchen a disaster for days. Wash prep dishes and wipe spills as you cook. Take breaks to tidy and declutter work spaces.
Staying organized in the kitchen prevents chaos, minimizes stress, and allows more time to enjoy the holidays.
Make an End of Season Holiday Checklist
Once the magical holiday season winds down, there is still organizing work to do! Make a checklist to restore order to your home after the holidays.
- Take down and carefully pack up decorations into storage bins.
- Throw out holiday plants like poinsettias and Christmas trees.
- Donate extra unused nonperishable food and beverages.
- Return extra folding tables and chairs borrowed for events.
- Deep clean the kitchen including appliances, cabinets, walls, and floors.
- Wash all holiday linens and off season servingware before storing away.
- Gather up holiday cards, photos, and crafts for memory keeping.
- Box up holiday movies and music until next season.
- Ensure no holiday gift wrapping supplies or clutter are left out.
- Take holiday clothes and accessories to dry cleaners.
- Schedule professional carpet or window cleaning if needed after the season.
- Swap out candles, soap, towels, and other holiday decor for regular home decor.
- Organize and file away receipts for charitable donations for tax time.
- Make detailed notes and lists for improving next year’s holiday season.
Completing an end of season reset leaves your home tidy and ready for the new year ahead!
Questions and Answers About Organizing Holiday Must-Haves
Still have questions about keeping everything streamlined during the holiday hustle? Here are some common questions with practical tips for staying neat and organized:
How can I declutter holiday decorations?
Go through your holiday decor each year as you pack it away. Get rid of any items that are broken, worn out, or no longer match your decorating scheme. Donate gently used decor you no longer want. Before buying anything new next season, see what you can creatively work with from what you already have stored.
How do I organize gift wrapping supplies?
Use containers or over-the-door clear organizers to neatly store gift wrap rolls, tissue paper, gift bags and boxes, ribbons and bows, tape, scissors, gift tags, and any other wrapping items. Keep it all together for easy access in one spot when needed, separate from your everyday supplies.
What’s the best way to store holiday lights?
Lights can easily turn into a tangled mess if not stored properly! Wrap strands of lights loosely around cardboard wrapping paper tubes or empty paper towel tubes to keep organized. Use zip ties or twist ties to hold each strand’s plug end at the start of the tube so you know where to start unwinding next time.
How can I remember my holiday traditions and activities from year-to-year?
Keep a notebook or digital document to write down your favorite holiday traditions and activities as you do them each year. Add in any new ideas you want to remember for next year. Refer to your holiday memories list when making your plans each new holiday season.
What should I include in holiday meal planning lists?
Holiday meal planning lists should include every ingredient needed, the quantity, size, brand if specific, servingware, and any decorations or other supplies. Make a separate cooklist for appetizers, main courses, side dishes, desserts, drinks, etc. Note oven or cook times, temperatures, and prep steps.
How do I organize spare beds and linens for holiday houseguests?
Designate a guest closet or shelving area with spare sheets, pillows, blankets, towels and toiletries. Have a spare air mattress, cot, or trundle bed ready to set up in a home office, playroom, or other space that can easily convert to a temporary guest room when family comes to visit.
What are your best tips for organizing holiday photos?
First, take lots of photos! Capture family time during the holidays. Then immediately upload and organize them in cloud photo storage or photo organizing apps. Add captions or titles while the memories are fresh. Print your favorite shots for framed photos, albums, or holiday cards the next year.
Conclusion
The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but also the most hectic if you don’t stay organized! Planning ahead, keeping detailed lists, and designating storage areas for seasonal items will help reduce stress. Shop early, wrap gifts as you buy them, and tackle tasks in smaller chunks over time. Keep your recipes, gift ideas lists, and favorite traditions organized digitally from year to year. Staying on top of holiday clutter, cooking, cleaning, and other tasks will leave you more time to fully enjoy the holiday sights, sounds, scents, and festivities with loved ones.