Holiday preparation can be stressful, especially if you are hosting family members or throwing a big holiday party with friends and neighbors from your community. With proper planning and holiday preparation, you can enjoy a stress-free holiday season with family and friends and isn’t that what the holiday season is all about? Here are ten tips you can use to get your home ready for the holidays.
#1: Spruce Up the Main Space
Before the holidays, you may be tempted to clean every cranny and nail every nook of your home, which is a good idea if you have the time. However, if you are crunched for time, turn your focus to the main areas of your home that guests will most likely see or celebrate in, spaces like the front entryway, kitchen, living room and bathrooms. Gather all stray belongings in a laundry basket or bin and stash them in your bedroom closet, where you can sift through them later.
#2: Clean the Kitchen Oven
If you plan on cooking up a holiday feast, give the kitchen a thorough cleaning, especially the oven. The aromas of any grease or food from dinner’s past can influence the dish you are cooking, so give it a good clean before holiday baking begins. Wipe down all surfaces, including kitchen appliances, with a natural cleaning spray and a microfiber cleaning cloth to remove all dust, dirt and kitchen grime.
#3: Clean the Floors
Don’t forget to clean the floors in the front entryway, hallways, kitchen, bathrooms and living room. Whether you give them a good sweep or mop, make your holiday preparation less complicated with the O-Cedar® ProMist® MAX Microfiber Spray Mop. Safe to use on all hard floor surfaces including hardwood, tile, vinyl, laminate, ceramic, marble and stone surfaces, the ProMist® MAX Microfiber Spray Mop makes holiday preparation a breeze!
#4: Prepare for House Guests
Make holiday house guests feel welcome by taking time to tidy up the guest bedrooms and bathrooms. Be sure to have plenty of clean towels, blankets and extra toiletries on hand so your holiday guests feel right at home.
#5: Deep Clean the Bathrooms
When preparing for house guests, don’t forget to give some areas an extra deep clean like the entryway, hallways and bathrooms. Grab a pair of Playtex gloves and your Non-Scratch Scrunge and you will be set for all of your holiday cleaning.
#6: Menu Plan
Plan your holiday menu ahead of time and figure out what food you can make beforehand such as appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Certainside dishes and pies can easily be prepped a few days beforehand, so all you need to do is bake them the day of the event. The less work you have to do the day of the big holiday celebration, the better!
Bonus Tip: To make guests feel extra special, you can print the menu and place it on the table the day of dinner.
#7: Set the Table
It’s time to bring out any fancy dishes and create a festive tablescape for the holiday season. Color-coordinate place settings with fresh, seasonal centerpieces or blooms. For an additional touch, make personalized place-cards for all of your dinner guests.
#8: Build a Fire
After all your hard work deep cleaning, enjoy the fruits of your labor. Turn up the cozy factor of your home with a crackling fire. Keep warm, fuzzy blankets nearby so guests can settle in after dinner while they enjoy their slice of pie with good company and even better conversation.
#9: Use Seasonal Scents
No fireplace? No problem! Add a warm touch by placing holiday-scented candles throughout your home. The sweet and inviting scent will warmly welcome guests as they enter your home to the holiday celebration.
#10: Enjoy the Moment
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be stressful and overwhelming, but after all of your hard work preparing and planning, remember to enjoy the moment. The holidays are meant to be spent and celebrated with family and friends, so remember the real reason for the holiday season and be present - that’s the best present of all!
Put together the ultimate clean team this holiday season with all of your favorite O-Cedar® cleaning products and tools.
