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Professional organizers recommend tackling nine household projects before holiday gatherings, from checking dishware and clearing pantry space to preparing guest rooms and bathrooms. The advice is practical guidance, not a report of a newly announced event; the article does not specify a publication date or provide measured results.
A holiday organizing guide recommends starting nine household projects before guests arrive, including clearing coat and guest-room storage, checking dishware and kitchen supplies, and making room in the refrigerator and pantry. Professional organizers C. Lee Cawley and Linda Thibodeau say doing the work ahead of gatherings can help households spot missing items and prepare space for visitors.
The suggested projects begin with storage areas that guests are likely to use. Cawley, a certified professional organizer and owner of Simplify You, advises emptying the coat closet, donating items no longer worn, and adding hangers for visitors. Thibodeau, a professional organizer and co-owner of Curated Spaces, recommends checking children’s and adults’ winter coats, boots and mittens for items that no longer fit or get used. She says usable unwanted gear can be taken to donation centers or local coat drives.
In the kitchen, Cawley recommends inspecting plates and mugs for chips or cracks, locating and labeling serving pieces, and washing items that have sat in cabinets since the previous year. Households can also count dishes, glasses and cutlery against the needs of their largest planned gathering. Thibodeau advises reviewing refrigerator and pantry contents, checking expiration dates and clearing space for holiday groceries and leftovers. She says unopened, unexpired food that will not be used may be donated to a local food pantry.
The remaining projects address gifts and overnight guests: sort wrapping paper, ribbon and bags; review sheets and towels; clear surfaces in the guest room; make closet and drawer space; and stock the guest bathroom with basic supplies. Thibodeau suggests using a long under-bed bin or a purpose-made container for wrapping supplies. Cawley recommends providing matching hangers and a luggage rack, while also clearing counters so visitors can set down their belongings.
Prepare your home for the holidays nine projects to start now
Professional organizers recommend checking food, meal supplies and guest spaces before holiday gatherings. Use the list to spot what needs attention while there is still time to plan.
Make room for guests
Start with the spaces visitors use and the supplies they need.
Clear the coat closet
Donate coats and winter gear that are no longer used or do not fit, and add hangers for visitors.
Prepare a place to stay
Review sheets and towels, clear surfaces, and make space in closets and drawers.
Stock the basics
Set out basic supplies so overnight guests have room for their belongings.
Get the kitchen ready
Check what you have before planning meals or shopping.
Look for chips or cracks, wash items stored since last year, and count dishes, glasses and cutlery for your gathering.
Check expiration dates and clear space for holiday groceries and leftovers.
Gather paper, ribbon and bags in an under-bed bin or a purpose-made container.
Match tasks to your plans
Prioritize the spaces and supplies your household will use.
- Clear the coat closet and entryway.
- Check dishware, serving pieces and cutlery.
- Make room for groceries and leftovers.
- Review sheets and towels.
- Clear guest-room surfaces and storage.
- Prepare the bathroom with basic supplies.
Make Space Before Guests Arrive
The recommendations focus on practical pinch points during holiday hosting: where coats go, whether there are enough clean dishes, and whether visitors have space for luggage and toiletries. Addressing those areas in advance can reveal shortages while there is still time to borrow, replace or buy what is needed, rather than discovering the problem during a gathering.
The food-storage check also has a useful planning function. Reviewing dates and clearing shelves can make room for planned groceries and leftovers. The advice is to check food before deciding what to discard or donate; only unopened, unexpired items are identified as appropriate for food pantry donation. The guide does not offer food-safety temperature instructions or make claims about reducing illness or costs.
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Nine Projects for Holiday Hosting
The list brings together three areas of preparation: household storage, meal supplies and visitor comfort. The first projects cover the coat closet and winter gear; the next address dishes, gift wrap and the refrigerator and pantry. The final projects focus on linens, the guest room, its closet and the guest bathroom.
The advice is attributed to Cawley and Thibodeau, whose comments describe organizing practices rather than a formal study or measured outcome. The material does not identify a particular holiday, give a deadline, or say how long each task takes. Readers can use the nine items as a checklist and prioritize according to whether they are hosting a meal, overnight visitors, or both.
““Dog shelters can use old linens as long as they don’t have filling inside, so towels and sheets are perfect for donating.””
— Linda Thibodeau
What the Guide Does Not Specify
The recommendations do not include a publication date, a specific holiday calendar, or evidence measuring how much time or money the projects save. They also do not say how much storage space a typical household should reserve or how many dishes are needed per guest. Donation rules can vary by organization, so readers should check with a local coat drive, food pantry or animal shelter before dropping items off. The food advice names expiration-date checks but does not provide detailed storage or temperature guidance.
Turn the List Into a Plan
The next step is to match the projects to the household’s plans: start with the coat closet and kitchen if hosting a meal, then prepare linens and guest spaces if visitors will stay overnight. Before shopping, take an inventory of serving pieces, cutlery, pantry staples and bathroom supplies. Check donation organizations’ current requirements before bringing them clothing, food or linens.
The guide provides no scheduled follow-up or additional milestone. Households can revisit the checklist as guest numbers and meal plans become clearer, and adjust the work to the space and supplies they actually have.
Source: rss
Key Questions
What should I organize first before holiday guests arrive?
Start with the areas guests will use immediately, such as the coat closet and entryway. Then check whether you have enough clean dishware and serving pieces for your gathering.
What food can be donated from the pantry?
Thibodeau says food that is unopened and unexpired may be donated to a local food pantry. Check the pantry’s own acceptance rules before donating.
How can I make a guest room more usable?
Clear surfaces, make room in the closet and drawers, and consider adding matching hangers and a luggage rack. These steps give visitors room for belongings instead of leaving them to live out of a suitcase.
What should I check before putting out holiday dishes?
Look for chips and cracks, wash dishes and serving pieces that have been stored since the previous year, and count plates, glasses and cutlery against the planned guest list.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
