How a professional home organizer preps for the holiday season

Thanksgiving was great at Rustic Home Organizing headquarters, but now that the leftover pie is all gone, it’s time for us to concentrate on the best time of the year—December!

When we are working with organizing clients who are trying to find all their Christmas decor, or trying to untangle miles of lights that they threw in a bin without really thinking about it 11 months ago (yeah, we see you!)—they always ask us, what does a professional home organizer do with her Christmas decor to keep it all organized? I thought you might like to see some of my best tips for preparing for the holiday season so you can enjoy it—and not get as stressed out (we know—it’s hard not to get stressed out at ALL—but we can dial down your holiday season overwhelm!)

TIPS FROM A PROFESSIONAL HOME ORGANIZER ON GETTING READY FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON:

  1. Clean out your kitchen pantry to make room for your new cookies, snacks, candy cane boxes and popcorn tins! (it’s a great time to say goodbye to old, unneeded, or expired food!)

  2. Go through your gift wrap. Recycle old/disliked gift wrap, bags / wrap / ribbons / bows / boxes that are too wrinkled or unable to be used—anything you can’t imagine using this holiday season—time to say goodbye. If you don’t use it this year, you won’t use it next year!

  3. Keeping a list of your spice inventory in your phone is helpful when shopping for recipes you don’t usually make. This keep from purchasing duplicates on a whim, and finding out you already own four jars of allspice from the prior years you’ve shopped!

  4. Review your calendar and be sure to clear one or two days for some YOU TIME! I don’t know about you but I seem to be on my feet a lot more during this time. Giving yourself rest (and wine!!!) is key!

  5. Now that I mention wine, stock up on things you need to celebrate and host for the holidays! Be sure to keep the good stuff out of reach for guests that open up a new bottle but aren’t educated in how to host properly—namely, you open the good stuff at the beginning and then 2 buck chuck enters the scene. (And a headache shortly after! So stock up on aspirin too!)

  6. Did I mention to stock up on wine?

  7. Shop early for the torture suit you think your pet will look hilarious in! They sell out fast! Some inspiration for you below….

As you are decorating your house and your tree (or trees!) take a look at all of your decor and if there are some things you know you no longer want—it’s a great time to take those to donation spots in December because there are many times of the year they will NOT take holiday items! Put them in your car and take them right away—reward yourself with a gingerbread latte from Starbucks to celebrate that important errand!

This is a great time of year to start your organizing journey—you can start small and then get ready for the new year! If you need help with your holiday organizing—I’d love to talk to you. CLICK HERE to schedule your complimentary consultation with me!




I’m Kim Snodgrass, and I am a professional home organizer serving clients in the areas around Portland, OR.

I started Rustic Home Organizing to offer more than just your typical home organizer services – I offer life-altering assistance that simplifies your day-to-day living.

I’ve been there. Those life transitions that shake us up and make it hard to move forward physically and emotionally. These transitions are not easy, especially when you face them on your own. From first-hand experience, I know it takes a toll on your mental and emotional health – which is why I’m here to be your champion of home organizing.

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Kim's favorite wines under $20 for the holidays