Every year it seems like the holidays sneak up on us earlier and earlier, and it’s not uncommon to feel like you are never prepared! Maybe you have your family over every year for Thanksgiving and are looking for ways to be more efficient in your preparations. Or maybe this year you are hosting the family for the very first time! I am here to help you sort out your plans and get organized for Thanksgiving and other celebrations so you will enjoy the holidays!

Following are some organizing and planning tips to help you prepare for Thanksgiving and eliminate stress so you can focus on having fun with your family and friends.

• Make a list of the people you are inviting to your home for the holiday. Most people invite family and friends who live in the area, but if you are inviting out-of-town guests, it would be best to send out the invitation a few weeks in advance so they can make travel plans.
• Inventory your table linens and napkins to see if you need to send them to the dry cleaners and to make sure you have enough for the number of guests that you are expecting. And if you need to purchase new linen sets, check out the stores for great deals now.
• Check your serving flatware, glassware and dishes to make sure you have enough. Did any of the dish pieces break last year and need to be replaced? Or are some worn out and need replacement? If you need to order them online, make that a priority on your to-do-list.
• Think about what table decorations you would like, or change out your pillows or throw blankets for the party. Some people change out their paintings to holiday or winter scenes during this time of year, so decide if you want to do that, and purchase new ones now if you don’t already have some.
• Check out the condition of your guest room if you are having family or friends stay at your home. Do you need to put away items that ended up in that room? Do you need to clean and/or purchase new linens for the bed? This is a great time to decide if you need to keep any items that are being stored in the guest room for safe keeping. Now is the time to donate or throw away items that are no longer needed.
• Review your recipes and cookbooks and find your favorite dishes for the holidays, or consider special dishes that your family members request every year! If you want to experiment on some new dishes, try them out a few weeks ahead of time to see if they might become a new favorite for family and friends.
• If children are coming to your party, put out toys or movies for them if they need to be entertained. This is a great way to have all of your guests comfortable in your home. If you and your guests like to play board games, make sure you have all of the pieces to the games before the party.
• To plan for leftovers from the Thanksgiving meal, try to make some space in your refrigerator and freezer, and eat or throw out any leftover food so you have extra room.

These are just a few tips and ideas so you are as prepared as possible to make the most of your Thanksgiving with your family and friends! This is a great list to use for Thanksgiving or other celebrations that you may have in your home.

If you need help getting your home organized and prepared for the holidays, please contact me and I would be happy to help out! I hope you all have a blessed holiday season!