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Professional organizers recommend nine pre-holiday projects, from clearing coat and linen closets to checking dishware, food supplies and guest spaces. The advice is practical preparation, not a report of a newly announced event; timing and the amount of work needed depend on each household.
A seasonal report outlines nine organizing projects households can tackle before holiday gatherings, including clearing coat storage, checking kitchen supplies and preparing guest rooms. Professional organizers C. Lee Cawley and Linda Thibodeau say handling these tasks ahead of time can make space for visitors and help hosts identify what they need before guests arrive.
The recommendations cover areas likely to see extra use during gatherings. Cawley advises emptying the coat closet, donating items household members no longer wear and adding hangers for visitors. Thibodeau also recommends checking children’s and adults’ winter coats, boots and mittens for items that no longer fit or are no longer used. Suitable clothing may be given to donation centers or local coat drives, she says.
In the kitchen, Cawley suggests inspecting plates and mugs for chips or cracks, locating and labeling serving pieces, washing items that have been stored since the previous year, and checking that there are enough dishes, glasses and cutlery for the planned gathering. Thibodeau recommends reviewing refrigerator and pantry contents, checking dates and making room for holiday groceries and leftovers. She says unopened, unexpired food that has gone unused may be donated to a local food pantry.
The remaining projects focus on supplies and overnight visitors: sort wrapping paper and accessories; check guest linens for complete sheet sets and usable towels; clear guest-room surfaces and desks; make room in the guest closet and drawers; and prepare the guest bathroom. Cawley suggests keeping a spare toothbrush and extra toiletries available, while Thibodeau recommends clearing out unused bathroom appliances and humidifiers.
Get your home ready before guests arrive
Professional organizers outline nine projects to help households prepare shared spaces and supplies for holiday gatherings. Choose the tasks that fit your home and plans.
Start with coats and winter gear
Make room for visitors and check what still fits before the cold-weather rush.
Donate wearable items household members no longer use and add hangers for visitors.
Check coats, boots and mittens for items that no longer fit or are no longer used.
Get the kitchen ready
Check serving supplies and storage before shopping or hosting.
- Inspect plates and mugs for chips or cracks.
- Find serving pieces and wash stored dishes.
- Check that dishes, glasses and cutlery suit your gathering.
- Review refrigerator and pantry contents and check dates.
- Make room for holiday groceries and leftovers.
- Ask a local food pantry about donation rules for unopened, unexpired food.
Sort gifts and linens
Find what is usable and ready before you need it.
Organize wrapping supplies
Sort wrapping paper and accessories so you can see what you have.
Check guest sets
Make sure sheet sets are complete and towels are usable. Ask shelters whether they accept old linens without filling.
Make space for overnight guests
Clear places for guests to sleep, store belongings and get ready.
- Clear guest-room surfaces and desks.
- Make room in the guest closet and drawers.
- Prepare the guest bathroom with a spare toothbrush and extra toiletries.
- Clear out unused bathroom appliances and humidifiers.
The advice addresses practical bottlenecks that can become more noticeable when a home hosts visitors: nowhere to hang coats, missing serving dishes, crowded guest-room surfaces or a lack of clean linens. Tackling these areas in advance gives hosts time to identify gaps and make purchases or donations without waiting until the day of a gathering.
The recommendations also distinguish between clearing space and discarding everything. Items in usable condition may have another destination, including coat drives, food pantries or animal shelters. Thibodeau says shelters may accept old sheets and towels if they do not contain filling. Donation rules vary, so readers should check with local organizations before dropping items off.
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Nine Tasks Before Guests Arrive
The list is attributed to Cawley, a certified professional organizer and owner of Simplify You, and Thibodeau, a professional organizer and co-owner of Curated Spaces. Their advice is organized around the spaces and supplies households may need to use more during the holidays, rather than setting a fixed schedule or prescribing a particular organizing system.
The nine projects are to declutter the coat closet; review winter gear; inspect and wash dishware; organize gift wrap; take inventory of the refrigerator and pantry; sort linens; prepare the guest room; clear the guest-room closet; and stock the guest bathroom. The report does not specify a particular holiday, household size or level of preparation required.
“Make room for everything on your holiday dinner shopping list and all the leftovers that will ensue.”
— Linda Thibodeau
Household Needs Will Vary
The recommendations are general guidance, not a checklist tied to a stated holiday date or a reported change in organizing practices. The material gives no data on how many households follow the suggestions, how much time the projects take, or whether they produce measurable results.
It is also unclear what each household will need to prepare: guest numbers, available storage, existing supplies and local donation requirements vary. The organizers’ suggestions do not establish that every task is necessary for every home.
Choose Projects for Your Home
Households can use the list to decide which areas need attention first, starting with spaces that will be shared or supplies needed for a planned meal. Before donating food, clothing or linens, check the recipient organization’s current acceptance rules. The report provides no follow-up date or further scheduled development; its advice is intended for readers to apply as their own holiday plans approach.
Source: rss
Key Questions
What are the nine pre-holiday organizing projects?
The list covers the coat closet, winter gear, dishware, gift wrap, refrigerator and pantry, linens, guest room, guest-room closet and guest bathroom.
What should I check before hosting a holiday meal?
Inspect plates and mugs for chips or cracks, locate serving pieces, wash stored dishes and check that you have enough dishware, glassware and cutlery for your gathering.
Can old linens or unused food be donated?
Thibodeau says animal shelters may accept old towels and sheets without filling, and local food pantries may accept unopened, unexpired food. Check with organizations directly about their rules before donating.
How can I make a guest room more usable?
Clear surfaces and any desk, make room in the closet and drawers, and consider providing matching hangers and a luggage rack so guests have space for their belongings.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
