5 Daily Habits to Simplify the Holidays (Without Going Crazy!)
The holidays are supposed to be magical, but it can also be a whirlwind of gift shopping, wrapping, cleaning, cooking, and, oh yes, trying to remember to actually enjoy the season! How can you simplify all of this without letting your to-do list pile up higher than your holiday cheer? Easy—by tackling small tasks every day!
Instead of leaving everything to the last minute, take in these few daily habits that’ll help you glide through the season with a little more ease and a lot less stress. So, grab a cup of eggnog and check out these five simple tasks that will make your holiday season feel like a breeze!
1. Buy 2 Presents a Day (That’s It!)
Holiday shopping can be a beast if you try to do it all at once. But what if you did just a little bit every day? Set aside 15 minutes to buy two gifts each day. Yes, you heard that right—just TWO. Whether you’re shopping for your best friend, your cousin, or even that coworker you barely know, buying two gifts a day will keep you on track and make the process way less overwhelming. Plus, it’ll allow you to think more thoughtfully about each gift, rather than scrambling at the last minute for anything that’s still in stock.
Before you know it, you’ll have a full gift stash, and you won’t even have to worry about fighting the crowds at the mall.
2. Wrap 2 Presents a Day
Wrapping presents doesn’t have to be an all-day affair! Each day, grab a couple of the gifts you’ve bought, and wrap them up. This will save you from that last-minute wrapping session where you’re fumbling with tape and ribbons at midnight on Christmas Eve. And wrapping a few presents a day can actually be kind of fun, especially when you pair it with a cozy movie or your favorite holiday playlist!
By the end of the season, you’ll have a perfectly stacked pile of gifts, and you won’t need to scramble for wrapping paper or scissors on Christmas Eve.
3. Clean Out the Fridge Daily
The holidays usually mean lots of cooking, baking, and leftovers—and that often leads to a fridge stuffed with mystery containers and expired food. So, make it a daily habit to check your fridge, toss out anything that’s past its prime, and wipe down the shelves if necessary. Plus, it’ll make space for all the new holiday goodies!
Staying on top of your fridge will also make holiday meal prep a lot easier when you’re not sifting through a cluttered mess.
4. Do 1 Cleaning Chore a Day (or think about hiring Kidwell’s Kleaning!)
Who has the time for a big deep-cleaning session during the holidays? None of us, and that’s okay! Instead of saving it all for a massive holiday cleanup, why not tackle just one cleaning task each day? Whether it’s vacuuming all the floors, scrubbing down one bathroom, or giving the kitchen a good cleaning, doing one chore a day will keep your house looking festive and fresh without stress. You will always be ready for unexpected company, and you’ll be surprised what a great mood you will be in just by being on top of your cleaning! (Kidwell’s Kleaning can really help with this. If you have Kidwell’s Kleaning come on a biweekly basis, this can be motivating for you to do the once-a-year cleaning chores such as washing your curtains, deep cleaning the laundry room or clean your windows!)
Plus, doing one task each day means you can actually enjoy your weekends without worrying about cleaning everything in one go. By the time the holiday festivities roll around, your house will be sparkling without you breaking a sweat.
5. Have a Few Extra Gifts on Hand for Unexpected Guests
We’ve all been there-you forget a gift for someone, or maybe that unexpected guest shows up with a gift for you, yikes! Avoid the awkward moment by keeping a few extra gifts on hand. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant—think gift cards, fun mugs, a nice bottle of wine, or even a box of delicious chocolates. You can pick these up as you do your daily shopping, so you're always ready for that surprise visitor who didn’t make it onto your original list.
If you do these 5 very simply and easy things on a daily basis, you will be surprised how much better your will feel and you’ll have time to really enjoy your guests, family and the holidays!