I love this time of year, but I firmly believe that tackling a major organizing project now would turn me into Scrooge. With our homes full of more stuff than usual – gifts, decorations, baked goods and entertaining items – the challenge is keeping things in order. That's why I sought advice from professional organizer Janet Hennick of J.R.H. Creative Concepts in Toronto, who swears it's possible to keep a house clutter-free during the holidays if you just keep an eye on the seasonal hot spots.
Room service
First on Janet's to-do list is the kitchen. “The kitchen is the main hub of the family, and we love our food, especially at this time of year,” she says. Remove all the items that you don't use during Christmas, like any extra vases, summertime table linens and patio dinnerware, in order to make space for holiday linens and dishes.
Also, during the holidays, don't do your household paperwork at the kitchen table or desk. Keep these areas clutter-free and use as extra counter space, when needed.
If you're doing holiday baking ahead of time, put the goodies in freezerproof bags labelled with a permanent marker. When you're finished being Mrs. Claus for another year, freeze seasonal ingredients you won't be needing for awhile, like cranberries and raisins (again, bag and tag it). Consider tossing leftover cake flour or icing sugar, especially if you're a once-a-year baker.
Set up a bar area, particularly if you usually store your liquor in a cabinet, so drinks are close at hand when guests drop in.
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