
The holidays are drawing closer, and that means it's time to start prepping your home for the festivities. Whether you're entertaining overnight guests or having a small circle of friends over for dinner, you'll want your home to be as neat and orderly as possible so you can focus on having fun. Here are a few things our real estate agents recommend doing now to get your home ready for the holiday rush.
- Declutter!
Clearing away clutter frees up the space you need to enjoy fun holiday activities like baking, gift wrapping, sharing meals, and more. Put away any large items that are rarely used, such as your crockpot or food processor. Use home organizers to sort smaller items like pens, paperclips, and other necessities. Stash these organizers inside drawers or cabinets to keep them close at hand while keeping them out of the way.
- Get Big Cleaning Tasks Out of the Way Early
Many people save their major cleaning tasks for the end of the year so their homes will look pristine for their holiday guests. If you're one of them, make it a priority to get these tasks done early. Scour your kitchen and bathrooms, wash your windows, deep clean your carpets, and take care of any other major cleaning tasks well ahead of time. You'll minimize stress and give yourself a good head start that you can build on to tackle smaller household chores later.
- Delegate the Work
Holiday prep doesn't have to be a one-man job. Breaking your to-do list up among your family members makes the goal more manageable. It also helps you get back up to speed under time crunch and makes the whole household accountable for keeping the house clean over the coming weeks.
Give each family member a few age-appropriate tasks to complete. For example, a teenager can help with intensive chores like cleaning the bathroom or washing the spare linens, while younger kids can dust and put their toys away. When the unpleasant tasks are out of the way, invite them to help you decorate the house as a reward.
- Get Scents on Your Side
A pleasant scent can instantly make a room feel fresh and inviting, even if it's not as well-kept as you'd like. Our real estate team uses this trick all the time to make our Bradenton and Sarasota homes for sale feel more welcoming during viewings. Light a festive scented candle, plug-in scented wallflowers, or bake a tray of delicious cookies right before your guests are set to arrive. They'll happily follow their noses right into your home and settle in for a cozy stay.
- Stock Up on the Essentials
Entertaining guests (especially over multiple days) requires plenty of extra supplies. Stock up on soap, toilet paper, tissues, and other personal care items that people need during their stay. Refresh your supply of cleaning products to avoid running out of disinfectant or wood polish at the last minute. Finally, grab a few extra snacks you know your guests will like and stash them away in your pantry. You'll love the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have everything you need to keep everyone comfortable.
Have you been fantasizing about what it would be like to celebrate the holidays in a new home? Our agents can help you make this dream a reality. Contact us today for more information on our Sarasota and Bradenton homes for sale, and start looking for the perfect property to host your next holiday gathering.