The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and the smell of cinnamon fills the air… which can only mean one thing… Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner!

Does reading this leave you bursting with excitement or overcome with anxiousness?

People experience many different emotions around the holidays. There are so many things to do, places to go, and people to see. Often times, people feel more overwhelmed around this time of year than they anticipated. One thing in particular that leaves people with a mix of emotions is hosting others. Whether that be hosting people for a meal or for an overnight stay, it can be stressful.

To help ease your anxiety this holiday season, we want to share our top tips for how to keep your gathering organized and stress-free!

1. Make Lists

Make lists for cooking, cleaning, or other things you need to get done in advance. This will help you stay on track! Planning out what you need to cook and when you need to cook it can greatly relieve stress and ensure all your items will be finished in time for your meal.

2. Plan Out Serving Dishes

The night before, go ahead and get out any serving dishes you will be using. Don’t forget to pull out serving utensils too! This will give you time to plan out what each food item will be served on. It will also give you time to make sure everything is washed and ready to go for your gathering.

3. Prepare Ingredients

The night before, also get out any nonperishable ingredients that you will be needing for what you are cooking. This will save you from looking through your pantry or cabinets on the day. Also try to have food prepared ahead of time. Premake any items like desserts, sauces, or toppings that can easily be reheated or served at room temperature.

4. Simplify Clean Up

Sadly, your refrigerator can only hold so much, and there are bound to be leftovers. Plan to have foil containers, disposable plates, or plastic containers that people can use to take leftovers home. Chances are your guests will be glad to enjoy the food again!

5. Ask For Help

No one expects you to do everything by yourself! Let people help you. Whether that is by bringing other food so you do not have to cook everything, setting the table for you, or helping you clean up. Remember that you are human and cannot do it all. People will want to help so you can enjoy the day as well! After all, you’ve worked very hard and deserve it!

Need More Help?

We know that hosting others sometimes means not only providing a meal but also providing a place to stay. If you find yourself saying…

“Our guest bedroom has become a catch all space, and I have no idea where to begin to get this room ready for visitors.”

“Our kitchen table is full of mail, paperwork, receipts… you name it! There’s no way we can all sit down and enjoy a meal together.”

Stop… take a deep breath… and call us. We can help declutter and organize your spaces to get your home ready to host others this holiday season!