99 ways to get ready for the holidays

BEDROOMS
60 Assess what clothes can be donated to charity (only the best), recycled into cleaning rags (the rest), or thrown out.

61 Assess your bed linens. Donate good-condition pieces to a homeless shelter. Frayed or stained sheets and blankets can go to an animal shelter.

62 Vacuum all the hard-to-reach places.

63 Dust the light shades and covers.

64 Potted plants can grow mold, so avoid them in the bedroom, but a simple evergreen sprig or orchid in a bud vase adds a pretty touch to any bedside.

65 Stock the guest bedroom wiith extra blankets in case your overnight guests like to really pile on the covers!

66 Fold bath and hand towels and guest robes at the foot of the bed in the guest room. Place a packaged toothbrush on top. Guest slippers are another nice touch. Troll your city’s Chinatown for cheap-chic woven-grass and faux-silk styles.

67 Offer recent magazines on the guest room nightstand.

68 Surprise out-of-country guests with a new little souvenir per day on their nightstand! Mini bottles of Quebec maple syrup, locally made soap, craft-fair holiday ornaments ...

HALLWAYS
69 Test your smoke and CO detectors. There should be one on each floor. Between Christmas lights, candles and non-stop appliance use, you want to make sure they’re in working order!