Entry Space Week

320 Sycamore

I’m moving on to Week 13: Entry Space Week

as I am keeping up with the schedule at Organized Christmas.Com

If you are just joining me and would like to see what we worked on in Weeks 1-12,

click the Houseworks Holiday Plan link in the Categories box on the right side of the page.

Here’s some inspiration to get you started!

Pottery Barn

House to Home

Melissa at 320 Sycamore shares her entryway transformation here

So, are you ready to get started on your entryway, front porch or front door?

This Week’s Houseworks Checklist

• Prepare a welcoming entry space. Front porch or foyer, apartment door or entryway, this week’s focus is on the entry area of the home.Remove clutter, clean and organize the portal to your household this week. Check the front door, cleaning and polishing knob, knocker and any windows. Check the state of the welcome mat; is it time for cleaning or replacement? Check outdoor lights and replace any burned-out bulbs.Declutter doorway storage areas so outdoor shoes, umbrellas or keys find an efficient, attractive home.

  Clean out coat closets and add extra hangers for holiday guests’ use. Be ready to open the door to a wonderful holiday season!

This Week’s Holiday Prep Checklist

• Set the table ahead. Set the Thanksgiving table a day or two before. You’ll have time to spot (and fix) tarnished silver or stains on the tablecloth. Use sticky notes to mark serving dishes so it’s easy for guests to help.
• Celebrate American Thanksgiving. (Canadian and UK friends? Enjoy the day off!
• Shop Black Friday sales! Use your game plan to get the best deals quickly.
• Inspect and inventory decorations. As seasonal decorations come out of storage, make a quick review of what you have. Test light strands, and add any needed parts or replacements to the shopping list.
• Begin decorating.
• Send party invitations. Having a holiday party? Send invitations early. Social calendars fill up quickly in December.
• Wrap gifts as they are purchased. Every little bit helps, so wrap ahead where possible.
• Status check. On the first of December, review where you are with holiday prep. Crafts projects and homemade gifts should be finished soon; check for any missing catalog orders.
• Arrange for baby-sitters. Be quick to call for help as holiday invitations arrive; baby-sitters are busy in December, too.
• Package send-away gifts for mailing. Be ready to mail send-away gifts by next week.

This Week’s Christmas Planner Pages to Print:

Party PlannerParty BudgetParty Guest List

Dining Space Week

Country Living

I’m moving on to Week 12: Dining Space Week

as I am keeping up with the schedule at Organized Christmas.Com

If you are just joining me and would like to see what we worked on in Weeks 1-11,

click the Houseworks Holiday Plan link in the Categories box on the right side of the page.

With Thanksgivng just around the corner,

we’re going to spend this week cleaning & organizing our dining spaces!

Need some inspiration?

Kim at Starshine Chic has a great post on a Thanksgiving Tablescape here

Sweet Something Design has a beautiful Thanksgiving Tablescape here

Cute & Crafty by Victoria has cute Thanksgiving Printables here

Blissfully Domestic has some great Kid’s table ideas here

This Week’s Holiday Prep Checklist

• Plan for Thanksgiving Day. Plan table settings, seating and a centerpiece for Thanksgiving Day.
• Set up a Black Friday Sales game plan. Online bargain sites and e-mail alerts allow Web-savvy shoppers to spot the best deals days before Black Friday. Make entries in your holiday sales plannerand plan shopping strategy as information comes to light.
• Double up on freezer-friendly dishes. Cooking for the feast, plan to double or triple amounts for any freezer-friendly dishes, and tuck the extras into the freezer for later use. Candidates include pies, unbaked stuffing and–surprise!–garlic mashed potatoes. You’ll enjoy lightening the load for Christmas dinner.
• Plan holiday parties. If you’ll entertain next month, make plans now.

This Week’s Christmas Planner Pages to Print

“Black Friday” Sales Planner

I’m ready to move on to Week 9: Public Space Week

as I am keeping up with the schedule at Organized Christmas.Com

If you are just joining me and would like to see what we worked on in Weeks 1-8,

click the Houseworks Holiday Plan link in the Categories box on the right side of the page.

Here’s what I plan to work on this week:

Declutter, clean and organize the living room or public space.

With the holidays hard upon us, your household’s living room or public space will be on display.

Prepare for family events and drop-in visitors!

Remove all clutter from the living room using the STOP clutter method, then deep-clean the room.

Move furniture pieces and vacuum beneath them, polish fine woods, and clean or vacuum draperies, window coverings or blinds.

Once the living room is clean and free from clutter, take a minimalist’s eye to the room ‘s decorations.

Will your holiday decor shine, or will it compete with current decor items?

Clear tabletops, shelves and corners for the holiday decorations to come.

This Week’s Holiday Prep Checklist:

• Buy holiday stamps. Seasonal stamp designs are available now, buy holiday stamps early for best selection. Order online fromUSPS.Com to avoid standing in line.

• Begin saving packaging materials. Recycling makes sense … and cents. As catalog orders arrive, begin to stockpile mailing boxes and packaging material for re-use in December. Store them close to your wrap and mail center to speed holiday mailing chores.

• Celebrate Halloween. Ready to join the neighborhood fun? Use our free printables to start a Halloween BOO tradition in your neighborhood. Spread the BOO joy!

• Status Check! Review the progress of the Houseworks Holiday Plan on the first day of the month. If you’re falling behind, adjust goals to a more realistic level.

• Decorate for Thanksgiving. Remove Halloween decorations and replace them with Thanksgiving-themed items.

• Complete Christmas cards or letters. Christmas cards should be finished and ready for mailing. ; Stamp envelopes and set them aside until it’s time to mail them next month. Tip: leaving envelopes unsealed makes it easy to add a newsy post-script if the spirit moves.

• Seasonal safety check. Observe Time Change Sunday with a seasonal safety checklist: change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and flashlights. Don’t forget the first aid kit; will you need to replenish any supplies?