3 Things You Can Do NOW to Prepare for the Holidays

Ok, I know. It’s not even Halloween yet. I used to cringe seeing all of the holiday “stuff” in stores starting in October. But, I have come to realize that pre-planning for the holidays is a life saver. A few years ago, I made a pact with myself to start holiday planning earlier. And you know what? It worked. I was able to enjoy the season and I suffered less stress with these three simple pre-planning tips.

The first step is to make lists!

• Make a list of who you need to buy gifts for and note gift ideas, along with how much you want to spend on each person.
• Make a guest list so you can see who will be coming to your home and when.
• Make your holiday card list and schedule your family photos.
• A general to-do list, such as shopping for supplies and wrapping all of the presents.
• The food that you will be serving if you are hosting a party.

Once my guest list is made, I start thinking through the menu. It is never too early to start pouring through Pinterest, cookbooks, and magazines for the perfect meal pairings and snacks. I also think through my serving ware and table settings, because a beautiful table makes everything feel more special. These Wicker Casserole Baskets are perfect for displaying food at your holiday table and help keep dishes warm. Utensil Caddy's and Napkin Holders are convenient for an appetizer table, or breakfast/brunch buffet the next day.

Getting your home ready for the holidays takes so much time and can be expensive. Start buying holiday items now to find the perfect décor piece for certain areas of your home. Think of wicker baskets that will add warmth and texture to your home. I love displaying Fall leaves and miniature pumpkins, or Winter pinecones in Gathering Baskets and putting them at the center of my dining table. Displaying holiday pillows and/or blankets in these Jumbo Storage Baskets near the fireplace creates a cozy area to open gifts. I also like to create an area in the house that is my Holiday Planning Station. I use a Large Wicker Organizer and Wicker Storage Trunk to keep my lists, stamps, tape, ribbon, scissors, gift bags, and anything else that I will need quick and easy access to throughout the season.

With these 3 helpful tips, you can start preparing now for the holidays to ensure a less stressful holiday. What are your holiday pre-panning tips? I’d love to hear about them! Plus, explore our wicker baskets that come in all shapes and sizes to elevate the look and organization in every room of your home. Shop now, and cheers to getting started early for an enjoyable, stress-free season!