Tips for Stress-Free Holidays: Get Your Home & Yourself Organized

Get Your Home and Yourself Organized Before the Holidays: A Guide to a Stress-Free Season

The holidays are a beautiful yet bustling time, filled with friends, family, and festivities. But between decorating, cooking, gift shopping, and hosting, it’s easy for the joy to be overshadowed by stress. That’s why getting your home—and yourself—organized before the holiday rush can make all the difference. With a bit of planning and a few targeted strategies, you can head into the season with a clear mind and a cozy, welcoming home. Here’s a roadmap to help you prepare for a relaxed and joyful holiday season with tips for stress free holidays. 

Tips for stress free holidays.

1. Set Up a Holiday Planning “System”.

This DOES NOT HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED! Simply keep holiday to-do lists, shopping lists, and receipts organized by setting up a system that will work for you. 

• Create a holiday folder: Grab an inexpensive planner or notebook with pockets to keep track of ideas (because you never know when inspiration or a reminder will pop up). Keep gift lists, recipes, and decor ideas. Divide sections by categories, like gifts, meals, and commitments, so you can keep everything organized and easy to access.

• Track important dates: From family gatherings to school events, add all essential holiday dates to a calendar. A wall calendar in a visible spot can help everyone in the household stay on the same page. I know everyone has one on their phone calendar, but it’s nice to have it out for everyone to see. With all of the sports and other activities, our family lives by our calendar all year, and when you add in all of the holiday commitments and activities, it’s even more important to be organized.  
• Use lists to avoid overwhelm: This one is key for me! If I don’t write it down, it’s gone in a flash. Making lists for each task will help you stay focused and organized. For example, you can create a “Cleaning List,” “Decorating Checklist,” or “Gift Shopping List.” 

I found this small notebook on Amazon for only 5.99. It has dividers and pockets to keep everything organized and it’s small enough to fit in your purse/bag when you’re shopping. 

If you are looking a complete Holiday Planner, check out my Shopify Store. 

2. Declutter Key Spaces

One of the first steps to a more organized home for the holidays is to declutter high-traffic areas, especially where guests may spend time. Pay extra attention to entryways, kitchens, living rooms, and guest bathrooms. These areas often accumulate the most clutter and can quickly feel chaotic when more people are around.

• Start small: Go one room at a time, spending 10-15 minutes daily tidying surfaces and removing items that don’t belong. Since I work full time and have volunteer a lot for sports, I try to find “micro-minutes”. Even just a few minutes here and there with a targeted effort can make all the difference. You know that forced instant focus you have when you find out someone is coming over and will be there in 15 minutes? Yeah, that focus. 
• Organize hidden areas: Don’t forget about closets, cabinets, and drawers! Tidying up these areas will make it easier to find everything you need when preparing meals or hosting guests.
• Donate or sell items: While you are decluttering and going through those space, gather any decor, dishes, or other items you no longer need. This is the perfect time to donate or sell these items, freeing up space for new holiday touches.  You should have a bin for “donate” and one for “discard”.

3. Deep Clean Key Areas 

A clean home creates a calm environment, which can make a huge difference during the busy holiday season. A deep clean doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you focus on areas that need the most attention. Keep all of your cleaning supplies together in a handy tote like this one so you can easily take it from room to room. That way you have everything in one spot all the time and you’re not always looking for things. 

• The kitchen: The heart of holiday gatherings, the kitchen deserves some extra love. Clean out the refrigerator to make room for holiday ingredients, organize the pantry, and give appliances a quick wipe-down.
• Living spaces: Refresh carpets, dust shelves, and wipe down surfaces in living rooms and dining areas. This will give your space a clean foundation before you bring in holiday decor. You’ll need to do this anyway when you swap out your fall decorations for your holiday things. 
• Guest rooms and bathrooms: If you’re hosting, make sure your guest spaces are ready. Wash bedding, stock up on toiletries, and ensure there’s room in closets or drawers for your guests’ belongings.

4. Prep for Holiday Decor

Adding festive touches to your home is one of the joys of the season, but it can also create extra clutter. Another one of my tips for a stress free holiday is to simplify by sorting and purging your decor ahead of time. Prepping your space for decor will help you display it beautifully without making your home feel crowded.

• Declutter decor storage: Go through your holiday decorations before the season starts. Discard or donate items that you no longer love, and organize what’s left so it’s easy to access. This is a grea
• Keep a list: Use Pinterest to save decorating ideas and looks you like. This is always super helpful for me to get the creative juices flowing. 
• Plan decor themes: Decide on a general theme or color palette for your holiday decor. This can help you avoid going overboard and keep your decor cohesive throughout the house.

5. Set Up Gift-Wrapping and Storage Solutions

Gift shopping and wrapping are two of the most time-consuming holiday tasks. Setting up a designated wrapping area and organizing gift storage will save you time and frustration. 

• Create a gift-wrapping “station”: Again, don’t make this complicated. Just having everything in one place and not having to find things saves so much time. Set up a small corner with wrapping paper, ribbons, tags, and scissors etc.. A cart or a folding table works great for keeping everything accessible and organized. If you want to make it portable so you can put it away, grab one of these storage containers. 

Get 35 FREE printable gift tags here. 

25 Beautiful Gift Wrapping Ideas here. 

• Establish a hiding spot for gifts: Designate a spot in a closet or storage area to keep gifts hidden and organized. Use bins or labeled bags to separate gifts by recipient, and keep a list so you don’t lose track.
• Wrap as you go: To avoid last-minute wrapping marathons, wrap gifts as you buy them. (I wouldn’t recommend doing this one at a time but instead, do it in small batches.) This will reduce clutter and give you more time for other holiday tasks.

6. Meal Plan in Advance

This one is big for me. Between holiday meals and everyday dinners, meal planning can relieve a lot of stress during the season. Plan menus for special gatherings and make-ahead meals for busy nights.

• Prep in advance: Choose a few recipes that can be made ahead and frozen, such as casseroles or soups. This will help you stay organized during the busiest holiday weeks and could save you on a night when someone or something unexpected pops up.

Here are 29 Crockpot Freezer Meals to get you started.

• Stock up on essentials: Create a shopping list of pantry essentials. Include things for baking and snacks for unexpected guests. Even some holiday treats on hand, like hot cocoa mix and cookies, can make your home feel festive at a moment’s notice. Get a FREE Grocery Shopping List. 

7. Prioritize Self-Care

In the holiday rush, it’s easy to forget about yourself. But taking a few minutes each day for self-care can help you stay grounded and energized.

 

• Schedule quiet time: Carve out a few minutes each day to relax, whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, or simply enjoying a cup of tea.
• Stick to a sleep schedule: A good night’s rest is crucial for managing holiday stress. Make sleep a priority, and try to stick to a consistent schedule.
• Take a digital detox: Give yourself a break from screens, especially during moments when you want to be fully present with loved ones.
• TRY to eat well: I know this one is hard and I’m not saying don’t indulge just a bit, but try to say no when you can. For me, this is saying no to sugar as much as possible. I know it has an impact on my mental clarity and mood so if I only enjoy a bit here and there, I’ll be able to enjoy it without getting crazy. 🙂

8. Set Boundaries and Manage Expectations

The holidays can bring a lot of social obligations and expectations. Remember, it’s okay to say no or to set boundaries to protect your time and energy.

• Communicate with loved ones: Discuss plans with friends and family in advance, especially if you’re hosting. Setting clear expectations can prevent misunderstandings and keep stress levels down.
• Limit commitments: This is one of my favorite tips for stress free holidays. Prioritize events and gatherings that truly matter to you, and don’t be afraid to decline invitations if your schedule is getting too full, you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need a break. This can be hard, but once you start doing it, you’ll see a world of difference. 

• Embrace imperfection: Finally, remember that the holidays don’t have to be perfect. Focus on what matters most, and don’t stress about every small detail.

PIN IT FOR LATER!

By taking time now to prepare your home and yourself, you can create a peaceful and organized holiday season. Making even small changes and putting easy systems in place can make all the difference. Embrace these tips, make the most of the season, and enjoy the moments that truly matter.