Getting Ready For The Holidays: Your Step-by-Step Holiday Reset Guide
The holiday season may feel like it sneaks up faster than we expect. We are enjoying fall colors, blink our eyes, and then the calendar is packed with school events, shopping lists, and family gatherings. Before the holiday season officially kicks off, it is the perfect time to make a simple plan and do a reset.
A Holiday Reset and getting ready for the holidays aren’t about perfection. It’s about creating a space and an enjoyable environment before the season of giving begins. By making small changes now, you can avoid last-minute stress and rushing around.
We are going to be focusing on four main areas that can completely shift how your home feels heading into the holidays: the Kitchen, Gift Station, Guest Room, and Decorations.
Each reset is designed to help you feel more organized, prepared, and peaceful, even if life around you feels busy.
Getting Ready For The Holidays
Below are four simple holiday resets you can spread out over the month. Starting at the beginning of November gives you plenty of time to prepare for Thanksgiving and smoothly coast into Christmas and Hanukkah.
1. Kitchen Reset: The Heart of the Holidays
The kitchen becomes the center of the home during the holidays. Cooking, baking, entertaining, and gathering all happen here. But before you dive into recipes or meal prep, it’s worth giving this space a good reset before the holiday cooking begins.
Try these simple steps:
- Declutter counters: Clear off anything that doesn’t serve you day to day. Keep only the essentials and a slight seasonal touch for warmth.
- Check your pantry: Toss expired items, make note of holiday staples you’ll need (flour, sugar, baking supplies), and organize by category.
- Refresh the fridge and freezer: Wipe shelves, discard old food and condiments, and make space for upcoming meals or leftovers.
- Set up a baking station: Group baking items together in one place for easy access.
A refreshed kitchen makes daily life smoother and brings back that sense of control we all crave when the schedule starts to fill up.
🎄Small Daily Step: Spend 15 minutes a day this week decluttering one drawer, shelf, or counter area.
2. Gift Station Reset: Simplify the Giving Season
Gifts can be one of the biggest sources of both joy and stress during the holidays. Starting early and having one designated “gift zone” helps you stay ahead without feeling overwhelmed.
Set up your gift station:
- Choose a central spot — a closet, cabinet, or small bin works perfectly.
- Gather supplies — tape, scissors, wrapping paper, tissue, ribbon, tags, pens, and gift bags.
- Create a simple checklist of people you plan to buy for. Add ideas or notes as inspiration strikes.
- Start wrapping early! Wrap as you buy, so you’re not staying up until midnight in December.
You can also include a few pre-wrapped “just in case” gifts, such as candles, coffee mugs, or local treats, for unexpected guests or last-minute invites.
🎄Small Daily Step: Spend 10 minutes organizing or labeling your wrapping supplies and jot down your top 3 people to shop for first.
3. Guest Room Reset: Welcoming Without the Stress
If you expect holiday guests, having a designated room that is prepared and welcoming will help you to feel confident as a host. The goal isn’t a “Pinterest-perfect” space; it’s a space where guests feel welcome and comfortable.
Here’s what to do:
- Declutter surfaces: Nightstands, dressers, and chairs should be simple and welcoming.
- Check linens: Wash the sheets, fluff the pillows, and have an extra blanket available.
- Extra touches for the room: A small lamp, tissues, or a water bottle make it feel special.
- Stock the basics: Toiletries, towels, and a spare toothbrush show care and attention.
Even if you don’t have a dedicated guest room, a prepared “guest basket” you can pull out for them makes visitors feel cared for without the last-minute scramble.
🎄Small Daily Step: Wash bedding early or prepare a guest basket so you can relax when guests arrive.
4. Holiday Decorations Reset: Refresh and Simplify
Decorating can either feel magical or overwhelming. It depends on how organized you are before opening the bins. A reset here means less time wasted digging through decorations you no longer care for or want to display, and more creativity and enjoyment.
Refresh your decorations:
- Pull everything out early: Sort by theme, room, or color—your choice and what makes the most sense to you.
- Donate or toss anything broken or that you haven’t used in years.
- Keep it simple: Choose a few focal areas to decorate — such as the mantel, entryway, and tree — instead of feeling you have to decorate every corner.
- Label and store smartly after the holidays to make next year even easier. You will be pleased with yourself, having a system and only decorations that you love and use.
Try setting up decorations in small stages. A few touches at a time can help you enjoy the process rather than rush through it.
🎄 Small Daily Step: Spend 15 minutes sorting one box or area of decorations. Keep only what sparks joy and peace.
Get Organizing Support and Encouragement
Doing this with others may help you stay on track or feel supported and motivated. I work better with accountability, and I make better progress.
Join the Holiday Reset Challenge
If you’d like accountability, encouragement, and weekly challenges to help you stay on track, join my free Skool group — The Unclutter Angel Community.
Inside, we’ll:
- Take small daily or weekly steps together
- Share progress and ideas
- Encourage one another to stay focused, calm, and joyful this season
👉 Join The Unclutter Angel Circle here → Free Accountability Group
FAQ Holiday Reset
Here are more ideas to help make the season run smoothly and reduce stress.
How early should I start my holiday prep?
Start as early as possible! Even small steps like decluttering one room or making a list of gifts before the holiday rush can reduce stress later. Ideally, begin your reset a few weeks before the holiday season, such as before Thanksgiving.
What’s the best way to prioritize tasks?
Break tasks into categories: decor, food, gifts, and schedules. Focus on one category or area at a time so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Completing small sections gives a sense of accomplishment and momentum.
How do I handle holiday clutter from past years?
Be honest about what you really use or love. Donate or recycle items that you no longer need or that make you happy to display. Keeping only what sparks joy creates more space for new memories.
How can I manage holiday stress?
Plan ahead, set realistic expectations, and schedule breaks for yourself. Even five minutes of quiet or a walk can help reset your energy. Starting early means that you aren’t pushing yourself.
Any tips for keeping the home tidy during the holidays?
Assign a “quick clean” daily routine, such as clearing a surface, wiping the counters, and putting away items at the end of each day. Encourage family members to help you and to pitch in. Getting help makes a huge difference.
How do I make my holiday prep fun, not just stressful?
Turn prep into mini rituals like playing your favorite music, inviting family to help, or sipping a cozy drink while decorating. Celebrate small wins along the way.
Final Thoughts on Getting Ready for the Holidays
Preparing for the holidays doesn’t have to feel like a burden. It’s supposed to be a time of family, gratitude, and creating new memories. With a bit of planning, setting priorities, and goals, you can make your home and your mindset ready to enjoy the season.
Think of your Holiday Reset as a gift of fun, joy, and space for what really matters.
Take it one step at a time and celebrate your progress! Remember, your holidays are about human connection and making memories, not perfection.
Happy Holidays!
