It’s the holiday season, the most wonderful, and most stressful, time of the year. Between baking cookies, purchasing the perfect gifts, and turning your home into a winter wonderland, it’s no wonder the season seems less than merry. Follow these tips to prep your home for the holiday season and keep some happy in your holidays.
Tidy Up
Organize the most used rooms in your home well before you’re ready to start roasting your first batch of chestnuts. Clear your refrigerator of unwanted items (like that salad dressing that expired back in 2004) to make room for holiday meals. Once the merriment commences, the last thing you will want to deal with is finding space for the left overs.
While you’re at it, take the time to clean out your closet and organize your winter clothing. This way, you won’t have to take the time to pack up your swimsuits when the snow starts falling.
Fake the Bake
Not all of us have mastered the art of baking the perfect gingerbread man. Investing in a few scented holiday candles can lift your spirits when you’re elbow deep in wrapping paper.
It’s no time to play musical chairs
There’s nothing worse than trying to nosh while standing up and balancing a cocktail. Make sure to have enough seating for all your guests and arrange the chairs in a circle or semicircle to facilitate conversation. In a pinch, anything, even your outdoor furniture, can serve as seating.
Even Betty Crocker uses the freezer
When you’re planning a dinner party, preparing all the food the day of can add unneeded stress. You also risk running out of room in your oven. Try cooking some of the meal ahead of time and freezing it. When it’s party time, all you’ll have to do is reheat!
Invite more cooks into the kitchen
Lighten the burden of preparing a holiday meal by sharing the responsibility. Invite friends to a pot luck rather than cooking everything yourself or ask some of your guests to bring appetizers or desserts.
Light Up
When it’s time to trim the tree, invest in clustered garland lights. Not only will it take you less time to apply the lights, but your tree will have a brighter, more polished look.
Start getting your home holiday ready so you can spend more time with friends and family and less time worrying about cooking and cleanup. 
