A four-week countdown that fits around a busy season
Spreading the work across a month keeps it to a few short sessions per week. Each week has one focus, so you always know what comes next.
| Week | Focus | Done when |
|---|---|---|
| Four weeks out | Kitchen and pantry | Counters are clear and serving pieces are easy to reach |
| Three weeks out | Garage and decor storage | Every decor bin has been opened, edited and labeled |
| Two weeks out | Guest room and entry | Guests have a clear closet, drawer space and a spot for shoes |
| Final week | Kids' rooms and living areas | Old toys are donated and there is room for gifts |
Get the kitchen ready to cook for a crowd
Holiday cooking needs counter space and quick access to roasting pans, platters and extra glassware. Pull out pieces you use once a year and check them now. Donate the extra chipped mugs and duplicate gadgets, and use the freed cabinet space for serving pieces.
Clean out the pantry and refrigerator before the big grocery run. Expired baking supplies and old spices are easy to spot and easy to toss. For a fuller pantry reset, see how to organize a pantry.
Edit holiday decor while the garage is comfortable
Many Las Vegas homes store decorations in the garage, where summer heat is hard on candles, ornaments with glue, artificial wreaths and light strands. Open every bin as you unpack it this year. Melted, faded or tangled pieces that you would not put on display can be thrown away now.
Unwanted but usable decor can be donated before the season starts, when someone else can still use it. When you pack up in January, use the guidance in how to store holiday decorations in a hot garage so next year's bins come out in better shape.
Make guests comfortable with a little cleared space
Visitors need surprisingly little: a few empty hangers, a cleared drawer, a spot for a suitcase and a place to charge a phone. If your guest room or casita has become storage, start with the closet and the nightstand, and move anything that does not belong to another room.
The front entry gets busier too, with coats, shoes and bags piling up. Clear the entry closet of things you rarely use so guests can hang a jacket on those cooler December evenings.
Make room for gifts before they arrive
The week before the holidays is the best time to edit toys and kids' clothing, because children are often more willing to pass on old toys when new ones are coming. Our guide on how to declutter kids toys walks through doing it with your children.
Think about adults' gifts too. Clearing a shelf or a drawer now means new items have a home instead of landing on the counter.
