I know, Thanksgiving isn’t even here yet and already we’re talking about preparing your home for the upcoming holiday season. It seems like we’re jumping the gun a little but a little preparation now, can make the holiday season so much easier to manage when all the relatives are in town for the big day.
The holidays can be a stressful time, especially if you’ve just moved into a new custom home or recently had some remodeling project completed. You may even consider forgoing any entertaining this year if you have recently moved or remodeled your home. We get it, it’s a lot of work moving and it’s even more work entertaining. On the other hand, you probably want to show off your new home or renovation.
If that’s the case, that you’re looking to open your home so friends and family can see the new place then follow these tips to make holiday entertaining as stress free as possible.
Preparing Your Home for the Upcoming Holiday Season
Do Ahead
Anything that can be done ahead of time should be. Get the table linens freshly laundered, polish the silver, and check the china for any dings or chips. If you can bake it ahead of time and freeze it do that too. In fact, any side dishes can usually be prepared early and frozen so all you have to do is thaw and warm up.
Delegate
If you’ve got kids put them to work. Put them in charge of cleaning their rooms and keeping them that way until after the holiday festivities are over. Assign each child a task that is appropriate to their age. Creating a chore chart is helpful to keep them on track.
Shop Online
You can purchase just about everything you would need to entertain online. There’s no need to fight the crowds. Free, two day shipping is pretty standard these days. Start ordering online and you can save all kinds of time. And, there’s no limit to what you can order. You can have the whole meal prepared and delivered the day of the gathering.
Get Organized
Studies show you’ll feel more in control if you can organize something. Take a stab at that pile of shoes in the bottom of your closet or go through the kids’ drawers and get rid of the clothing that doesn’t fit (then donate it a local charity so someone in need gets some good use out of it). You’ll feel as though you’ve accomplished something, and that can be a great confidence booster and provide you with a sense of control.
Rest
Whether you sneak off to a quiet corner of the house to read that book you’ve been wanting to lose yourself in since last July or you steal a nap in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, don’t feel bad about taking care of yourself. You’ll be a better host if you make sure your needs are met first.
Exercise
Even if it’s just a walk around the park, getting a little exercise everyday is good for anxiety. Regular exercise lowers blood pressure, prevents overeating and nervous eating and soothes the mind in times of stress. Exercising also releases endorphins, the pleasure chemical in the brain.
Pamper Yourself
Get a massage or a mani/pedi if that makes you feel good. Go dancing or spend an afternoon browsing a used bookstore. Whatever it is that makes you feel good is something you should do at least once during the season, but more often if time and budget allow.