Get Your Home Holiday-Ready: 5 Spaces to Organize Before the Season Starts

Oct 12

**The holidays have a way of sneaking up.** One minute it’s October, and the next you’re hosting a full house, hunting for the good serving platter, and digging through boxes for the tree topper.
The secret to a calmer season is simple: do the prep before the rush. Here are five spaces worth tackling now, so you can actually enjoy the moments that matter.

1. Your decor stash
Pull out your holiday bins before you need them. Test the string lights, toss anything broken, and donate the pieces you haven’t used in years. Group what’s left by room, like the mantel, porch, and dining table, so decorating day goes quickly.

2. The entryway
This is the first thing guests see, and it’s where coats, boots, and bags pile up fast. Clear out off-season shoes and jackets now. Add a few extra hooks or a basket for visitors’ things.

3. The kitchen and pantry
Holiday cooking needs counter space and easy-to-find ingredients. Clear expired items from the pantry and group baking supplies together. Pull your serving dishes, platters, and roasting pans to the front so they’re ready to go.

4. The guest room
If family is staying over, give them a space that feels welcoming, not like a storage closet. Clear the bed and dresser, empty a drawer or two, and make some room in the closet. Fresh linens and a little open space go a long way.

5. A spot for gifts and wrapping
Pick one closet, shelf, or bin for gifts as they arrive. Keep wrapping paper, tape, tags, and ribbon all in one place. You’ll stop buying extra tape every December.