It’s the season of giving! And while there are tons of things bound to be on your mind (relatives coming, gifts to buy, decorations to hang… need we go on?), you want to spend time enjoying the festivities just as much as you spend time preparing for them. We all know that holiday home preparation takes some serious work, and the to-do list can get overwhelming. Keeping organized is guaranteed to help you feel prepared and less stressed. That’s why we’ve created a simple holiday calendar to keep you and your home on track for the upcoming season. Take a look!
October
We all know the people who start prepping for the holidays in September, and although it never hurts to start early, beginning your preparations at the end of October will provide you ample time to plan out your holiday in an efficient, stress-free manner. Keep reading for your October to-do list.
Photo via Instagram. Credit @lizmariegalvan
End of October
- Add some seasonal updates to your front door. That’s right, make the trip out to your local pumpkin patch with the kids (or grocery to save on time) and lay out your pumpkins as a simple way to get your home in the holiday spirit. Pro tip: Mix up the colors. Stacks of orange pumpkins can sometimes look a little bit bland, so spruce it up with white and multicolored pumpkins and gourds. Then, add a festive wreath and some pots and planters filled with your favorite fall florals (try chrysanthemums and goldenrod for a classic fall look). Once you’re done, don’t forget to post it on Instagram with the hashtag #kkhfalldoor to enter to win our Fall Door Challenge.
- Pull on those sweaters and take that holiday card photo! Or, if you have a photo already in mind, get them printed before the holidays start to beat the rush. You also want to make sure your address book (aka, your iPhone) is updated so you’re not stressed tracking down addresses in December.
- Order your entertaining essentials… NOW! Especially if you’re looking to refresh a large piece like your dining room table, you need to place orders by the end of October to allow for delivery time. Remember that furniture items will need to be ordered well in advance as average lead times can be up to 3-4 weeks. In addition to your large items, make sure you have all of the accessories you need for the guest room, like fresh bedding and pillows, as well as the dining room table and bar. Need to do some shopping? Find everything in our Holiday Shop.
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November
When November rolls around, you can no longer deny it: the holidays are here. Thanksgiving requires lots of prep and coordination, from putting together an elegant meal to entertaining family and friends you’ll have plenty to-do. And you don’t want to forget about getting the best deals on the presents! To make things easier, we broke up the month week by week to make the most of your time.
Week 1
- Get food out of the way! Order your turkey now, and plan out your menu of sides and pies you’ll be making (or buying—cooking isn’t for everyone!). Go grocery shopping and get all of the nonperishables early so there’s no last minute rush.
- You’ll have plenty of people searching for snacks if you have house guests, so make sure you have cute serving trays, bowls, and platters that will highlight your style. We love marble or acrylic as an interesting, stylish material for serving items.
- If you’re missing festive cutlery, order them now so they’ll come in time for the big feast. Take the time to scroll through Instagram and Pinterest for tablescape ideas.
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Week 2
- Clean out your fridge. Throw away old and unusable food. The extra space will be amazing with all the leftovers coming your way!
- Let your guests know what they’ll be doing to help. Everyone loves contributing to meals, and having help brings the gathering to the kitchen and helps facilitate conversation. Don’t get caught in the kitchen by yourself!
- Stock the pantry and the guest room. Buy all of the snacks and staples you’ll need for the holidays to keep your gets well-fed. Getting a big grocery store run out of the way will save you the stress of last minute shopping mobs. If you’re having overnight guests, it’s also important to make sure you have fresh sheets, towels, and toiletries available.
Week 3
- Clean the house. It’s almost Thanksgiving, so time to start tidying up and putting out your best seasonal decor.
- Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Remember to take a break from planning, and really embrace your family and friends. For some families, the holidays are the only time of the year everyone is able to come together. Making sure you’re an active part of the festivities is the most important thing on this list.
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Week Four
- Use that post Thanksgiving buzz to propel you into December. Take advantage of Black Friday sales to fill in the gaps in your holiday decor.
- Knock off some items on your gifting list early. Skip the ornaments or clothing this year and opt for gifts for the home, like trays and barware, an interesting vase, or a handsome pair of bookends. These gifts are last longer than an ornament or bottle of wine, so your friends will appreciate being able to use them all year round.
December
December is always a crazy month with all of the parties and gatherings to attend. How do we find time to be gracious hosts? Luckily all the foresight you put into the holidays in October and November will save us at this busy time of year.
Week 1
- Kick off December by stringing your lights so you can have some instant cheer while you get your other holiday decorations in order.
- Mail out your holiday cards (aren’t you glad you already prepped them?)
- If you’re getting a tree, find a time to go pick one out and decorate it! Fill the room with wonderful ornaments and holiday decorations.
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Week 2
- Spice up the mantel with a pristine iron fireplace screen, decorative tree sculpture, and a hand forged fireplace tool set.
- Finish up buying all of the gifts on your list and get to wrapping early. Avoid being up all hours of the night before the holiday party!
- Make sure the bar is stocked with decanters, ice buckets, bar tools, and (of course) plenty of wine and liquors.
Week 3 and 4
- Relax! Because of your forward thinking, it’s time to relax and enjoy the festivities!
- …but maybe get a head start on those new year resolutions
Did you find our holiday calendar helpful? Let us know in the comment section below!
Plus, check out our Holiday Shop for all of your holiday needs.