3 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s not too late to get your home ready for the holidays. Getting your home holiday ready will help you enjoy the season and help you prepare for guests who might come for a visit. Here are some ideas you can incorporate into your holiday checklist.

Outside Maintenance

Getting your home ready for winter

Let’s start with the outside of your home, so you can make a good first impression. Spring is not the only time of year to get some things done that you might not do on a regular basis. Winter is a great time to tackle projects such as cleaning the gutters, trimming bushes, and raking leaves. You can also pressure wash your driveway and/or sidewalk. Mowing the grass one last time for the year also goes a long way in making your home look neat and ready for the holidays.

Inside Maintenance

Getting your home ready for guests

Now it’s time to work on the inside of your home. Getting to those jobs that often get put off will make your home feel clean and ready for company. You can work on getting rid of old piles of paperwork by filing what you need to keep and throwing away the junk. Cleaning ceiling fans, baseboards, and blinds will help make your home sparkle. Throwing away (or repurposing) and replacing worn out towels and washcloths gives a fresh, new look to your bathrooms. While you’re at it, you can also stock up on toiletries that guests who are staying with you can use.

Decorate!

Getting your home ready for holiday parties

Lights, lights, and more lights! Lights are magical and can help to add sparkle and cheer to your home. Try putting lighted garland on your mantle and around your front door. If you have a deck or patio, lights can also be used on a trellis or strung around the edge of the railing or ceiling.

Bringing out your holiday dishes will give your table a merry look. You can also try using placemats or a tablecloth along with a pretty centerpiece to add even more festive feel.

Put up a Christmas tree (live or artificial) and decorate it with a theme that fits your taste. Poinsettias are also a popular choice for bringing a beautiful splash of color indoors. You can find them in red, white, and even a red and white mix.

Holiday-themed throw pillows on the sofas can add to your décor without adding too much clutter.

Using holiday scented candles throughout the house will give it a cozy, inviting feel.

A thrift store is a great place to find gently used decorations – you don’t have to go all out with expense. Keep it simple and don’t use so many decorations that you end up with a cluttered feel. It doesn’t take much to make your home feel festive.

Using some or all of these tips and ideas to get ready for the holidays will get you in the holiday spirit and have you ready to enjoy your time this season with your friends and family.