The holiday season is the most cheerful time of year. When the home is full of family sharing quality time, all’s right with the world. But while we love the holidays, they can also cause significant stress. That’s why we suggest properly preparing your home in advance of the holiday festivities. Believe us, it will go a long way in relieving some of the seasonally-induced stress.
Here are a few easy tips to help you get started. Good luck!
Clean the microwave
While cleaning all your appliances isn’t necessary, the microwave will be used frequently. And after all, heating food in a dirty microwave is a little gross. Give it a good scrub before the holiday cooking (or reheating) begins.
Inspect the fridge
If there is any time to clean out your fridge, it would be the week before your holiday party. Throw out old food and clean out containers that aren’t necessary. You need to make as much space as possible for all the extra food. Plus, this is a good time to check if your fridge is working properly. Ensure the temperatures are set at the correct levels and if you find an issue, have a repairman inspect it immediately.
Check the toilet
While it might not be the part you want to think about during the holidays, the toilet will be one of the most used areas of your home. Nothing would be worse than having your toilet break down during the holidays.
Go with simple decor
While it might seem like a time to go all out with decorations, you really only need simple adornments around your humble abode to set the tone of your party. For Thanksgiving, try filling a bowl with pine cones and colorful leaves and use it as a centerpiece. Set pumpkins and mums around for a festive feel. For Christmas, fill the same bowl with vintage Christmas tree decorations.
Purchase all wine and liquor
You won’t be able to dash to the store if you run out of alcohol (or anything else), so be sure to buy extra the week before your holiday party. You can also enlist some of your guests to bring a bottle of wine or their drink of choice.
Prepare a holiday playlist
Holiday music sets the tone of the party. Prepare a playlist or two at least a week before your party. This way you have the right kind of music, and you don’t have to worry about any songs popping up that your grandkids don’t need to hear.
Clear the clutter
You don’t want the toddlers tripping over your antique vase, so be sure to clear away any clutter or valuable objects. While accidents are bound to happen this time of the year, you can prevent tragic ones by removing the items that mean the most.
Clean your gutters
A clogged gutter system can cause serious damage to your home, from the roof to the foundation. Damage to your home means an end to your holiday party. Have a Ned Stevens professional inspect your gutter system a couple of weeks before your party. This way you are guaranteed to have a fun party without a leaking roof.
Double-check your ingredients
Nothing is worse than realizing on Thanksgiving or Christmas that you’re missing one of the key ingredients to your favorite holiday dish. A few days before the holiday double-check that you have everything you need to make it a day to remember. It might help to make a list and check it twice. (Wink, wink!)
Happy holidays!
___
Don’t forget to have your gutters inspected this holiday season. It only takes a hand full of fall debris to clog a gutter system! Find out more about maintaining a functioning gutter system by reading a couple of our recent posts:
/how-often-should-you-clean-your-gutters/
/the-dos-and-donts-of-gutter-maintenance/