Between the holiday magic and Seattle’s rainy season, your home works overtime this time of year. Wet coats, gift wrap chaos, kitchen clutter, guest prep, and Amazon boxes compete for space throughout. Reduce your stress with these quick wins.
1. Tame Your Entryway Now
Before guests arrive, swap out summer gear for rainy-day essentials. Add a boot tray, sturdy coat rack, and a big basket for damp gloves, hats and scarves. Your entryway should welcome people in.
2. Give Your Kitchen Breathing Room
Spend 20 minutes clearing expired fridge and pantry items to make room for holiday ingredients. Pull out serving dishes now and confirm you have what you need, instead of doing it last-minute the night before your dinner party.
3. Designate Your Gift Command Center
Stop hunting for scissors and tape. Pick one spot (closet corner, under the bed, spare room) and corral all wrapping supplies, unwrapped gifts, and shipping materials there. Then you’ll be ready to wrap when inspiration strikes, not in a rushed panic.
4. Make Space for What’s Coming by Donating
New gifts need homes. Before they arrive, encourage kids to choose gently used toys, clothes and shoes to donate to local organizations. Click HERE for a list of some local organizations that accept donations. Keep a donation box handy throughout the season to maintain momentum. And here’s a bonus: when you book an organizing session with Simplify Experts, we’ll drop off a carload of your donations, free of charge!
5. Prep a Guest-Ready Zone
Expecting overnight visitors? Clear one closet shelf and some hangers for guest belongings. Stock a bathroom basket with travel-size essentials (toothpaste, phone charger, extra towels). Small gestures create big hospitality without last-minute scrambling.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a perfectly organized home for a meaningful holiday season. You just need enough breathing room to enjoy your people without tripping over clutter.
Need backup?
Our Seattle-Eastside area organizing experts specialize in practical solutions for every home, especially during busy seasons. Schedule a free virtual consultation to see how we can help you reclaim your space before the holiday rush hits full force.