A Monthly Holiday Checklist to Get Your House Ready with Ease
Sep 28, 2020From Thanksgiving Prep to Christmas planning, this handy holiday checklist helps you get everything ready with time to spare!
The fall leaves are changing and it’s just a few weeks until the holiday season! If that thought gives you more anxiety than joy, you might just need a good holiday checklist to get your Thanksgiving prep and Christmas planning on track. Click through the checklists below (including handy printables!) to go room by room, month by month and get everything just the way you want it.
Around the House
In the Kitchen
For Family & Yourself
Around the House
- Test your furnace and schedule any necessary maintenance.
- Schedule carpet cleanings before guests arrive.
- Check your windows for drafts, broken seals, and damaged locks. If needed, schedule a window replacement project to complete before the real cold weather arrives.
- Inspect bathtubs and showers for broken tile and grout, moldy caulk, leaks, and other problems to repair before guests visit.*
- Inspect gutters, eaves, and attic windows for damage. Repair any damage or access holes before critters decide to move in for the cold weather.*
In the Kitchen
- Clean out the candy stash and toss anything from previous holidays.
- Buy trick-or-treat candy in advance. (Try not to eat it!)
- Inventory your fall and holiday baking supplies.
- Find a fall cocktail recipe to try out with a friend.
For Family & Yourself
- Pack away bathing suits and beach towels to make room in closets for fall clothing, winter coats, and guests’ belongings.
- Nail down halloween costume ideas early so there’s time to shop and create.
- Plan a trip to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard. Try someplace new this year!
- Sift through this year’s photos and choose your favorites for holiday cards.
- Start making lists of holiday gift ideas for friends and family
Around the House
In the Kitchen
For Family & Yourself
Around the House
- Check last year’s holiday lights for burnt-out bulbs, working timers, and anything damaged or outdated.
- Take time to hang holiday lights now before the weather gets too cold.
- Clean indoor and outdoor light fixtures to remove bugs, dirt, and dust. Replace burnt-out bulbs.
- Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.
- Have clean linen sets, including sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and towels ready for guests.
In the Kitchen
- Clean out your pantry. Donate extra canned goods.
- Clean out refrigerator and freezer.
- Organize your food storage and toss or recycle any lids and bowls without mates.
- Review holiday recipes and stock up on ingredients.
For Family & Yourself
- Check with family and friends to confirm who’s hosting holiday celebrations.
- Order, print, and send holiday cards early!
- Plan a family service project to give back.
- Plan and purchase/make holiday gifts for teachers and other important helpers in your life.
Around the House
In the Kitchen
For Family & Yourself
Around the House
- Prep your home and vehicles for bad winter weather. Equip each vehicle with an ice scraper, flashlight, blanket, bottled water, and first-aid kit.
- Make sure your home has plenty of working flashlights, batteries, an emergency radio, first-aid supplies, food, and water, etc.
- Clean any remaining fall leaves from your gutters to prevent ice dams from forming over the winter.
In the Kitchen
- Schedule a cookie exchange with friends or coworkers.
- Stock up on foil pans, cookie tins, and disposable storage containers for taking to holiday parties so you don’t have to track down your good casserole dish later.
For Family & Yourself
- Clean out toys and games, and donate any no longer used.
- Start gift wrapping early
- Start thinking about New Year’s Resolutions
- Set aside a night or two just for you!
Need Some Help Crossing off Your Holiday Checklist?
There’s a lot to do during the last few weeks of the year, but planning ahead and having the security of a lifetime warranty can help. Give the Improveit team a call to take some items off your to-do list. Whether it’s time to replace your windows so you don’t suffer through another cold winter, or the outdated guest bathroom needs a refresh for holiday guests, our crews work all year long and are ready to help!
