Hello! I can’t believe we are beginning the second week of November and Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. Are you making lists and thinking about the Christmas? I see some of you already have your tree up while others are focused on Thanksgiving prep.
Regardless of where you’re at, it’s a good idea to start organizing and planning for the weeks ahead. Grab a coffee or cup of tea, put on a holiday simmer pot and lets talk holidays!
Christmastime seems distant but we all know how quickly this season goes by. I’m looking into the month of December and planning a couple holiday parties. We also have family coming so there will be lots of cooking to do. I think I’ll prepare lasagna and freeze it to have on hand for a last minute meal.
Steps I follow to get ready for the holiday season
- Deep Clean
- Decide on colors and other holiday details (order what’s needed, donate, repurpose)
- Add faux greenery (my favorite)
- Add twinkle lights and subtle holiday touches
- Mantle
- Decorate the tree (Thanksgiving weekend)
Get the house ready for the holidays
Kitchen and dinning area
- Clean out the pantry and refrigerator
- De-scale the coffee pot (I use this product)
- Clean main windows (this cloth is so good!)
- Wipe down walls and baseboards (pay extra attention to guest areas :)
- Clean range and oven
- Wipe down backspash and counters
- Scrub sinks and faucet ( I use borax and Barkeepers friend)
- Clean copper (salt and lemon works!)
- Organize kitchen drawers (locate meat and candy thermometers!)
- Create a tea and coffee station so guests can help themselves
- Re organize the hutch (display Christmas dishes)
Family/living areas
- Vacuum and wash floors
- Shake out area rugs
- Dust
- Clean off mantle
- Declutter the coffee or cocktail table (add holiday items when ready)
- Add a bar or serving cart for your guests (here’s how I styled mine)
- Wash pillow covers and throws
Bedrooms and bathrooms
- Make sure guest bathrooms have fresh linens, soaps, and other necessities
- Wash linens, duvet covers, blankets, and coverlets
- Organize guest bedroom side tables
- Order or locate a serving tray for your guests (add snacks,cookies, WiFi code, phone charger, etc)
- Have a carafe ready for guests (bedside)
- Shake out rugs
- Vacuum and damp mop floors
Make a plan: colors, menus
- Pull out your holiday magazines and cookbooks for inspiration
- Make lists: menus, linens you plan to use
- Decide what will be used and purchase new items (I always re-use and buy a couple new items)
- Pull out your holiday bins and check for broken items and you’ll also be reminded of what you already have.
Start decorating: take it slow and enjoy it
This is a gradual process for me. Here is a list of the holiday items I’ll be using this year.
- Start with greenery (purchase faux greenery)
- Twinkle lights
- Bar/serving cart (candles, greenery, twinkle lights, votives, Christmas dishes)
- Kitchen garland, hood gets decorated, new linens, twinkle lights, etc…
- Farm house table table linen, candles, flowers or a center piece gets added
- Chandelier: gold garland and ribbon
- Chairs get an update with fresh covers
- Bring out throws and cozy sheepskin
- Ribbons and wrapping (my favorites)
- DIY gifts and ornaments
This time of year is my favorite time to be in the kitchen. There’s something nostalgic and heart warming as we prepare for Thanksgiving .. baking pies, roasting vegetables, simmering stews, and baking my cheesy pull apart sourdough. It all feels so good! I keep a note pad nearby a start writing down menu ideas and pull out my holiday magazines and cookbooks for inspiration. If you’d like more holiday inspiration, check here!
Here’s our Christmas brunch menu from last year. This year will be similar.
Make sure to stock up on all the details:
Happy Holidays!
