Cleaning up before the relatives arrive

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Getting ready for relatives visiting from out of town can be difficult for the holidays, especially to an already full house with schedules and life getting in the way of the holidays. There are a few initial steps which can help out the time crunch in the long run.

1. Clean Start – With the right tools and a fresh start, clean the house as thoroughly as possible. There is no need to go around with a white glove, but if you do a deep clean first before decorating, life will be easier.

1. With the right tools – How can one be expected to clean up without the right tools? My suggestion check out your local CVS for some of the best deals on cleaning supplies around, just look for the Total Home lines of supplies for both good quality and good prices.
2. Don’t go bananas – Don’t overdo it. Keep things as clean and orderly as possible. When it comes to decorating, less can really be more. This does not mean minimize your decorating, just keep it at a sane level of winter wonderland.
3. Old boxes, meet new plastic bins – When unpacking your Christmas supplies, why not replace those aging boxes with plastic bins that will hold up to the weather of your attic/basement as well as keep things easily organized with a simple sheet of paper labeled with contents and taped to the outside of the container. Clear containers also work great because they also let you get a peek at what’s inside.

The above are just a few of many tips and tricks for the holidays. With a clear head and some thought behind it, the holiday season can be less rushing and more fun for all involved.