Get Ready For Christmas
HOME ORGANIZATIONHOSTING
12/8/20256 min read
How to Get Your Home Ready for Christmas: Stress-Free Prep, Easy Decor Ideas & Smart Storage Solutions
The holiday season is officially here—and with it comes the joy, excitement, and (sometimes) a bit of stress. Between decorating the house, preparing for holiday parties, and getting everything ready for unexpected overnight guests, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But with a little planning and a few smart organization strategies, you can create a warm, festive home that feels joyful rather than chaotic.
This Christmas, simplify your seasonal prep with easy decorating tricks, stress-saving hosting strategies, and smart holiday storage solutions that make your décor easy to put up and even easier to put away. Whether you're prepping for a cozy family gathering or simply want your space to feel magical all season, this guide will help you get your home Christmas-ready—without the stress.
1. Start With a Pre-Holiday Declutter to Reduce Stress
Before you even bring out the Christmas bins, take just 20–30 minutes to declutter high-traffic areas:
Entryway
Living room
Kitchen counters
Guest room
Bathroom cabinets
Clearing away visual clutter instantly reduces stress and makes your home feel calmer and more spacious. It also gives you a blank slate for decorating so your holiday items don’t feel overwhelming.
A few quick ways to declutter before decorating:
Remove everyday décor from shelves and tables to make room for Christmas items without overcrowding.
Put away fall décor so you don’t have multiple themes competing with one another.
Do a quick sweep of smaller items like mail, magazines, and random toys or gadgets.
Once the surfaces are clear, it's much easier to start adding your seasonal touches.
2. Create a Warm and Festive Atmosphere with Easy Christmas Decorating Ideas
Decorating for Christmas should be fun—not stressful. Focus on simple, impactful items that create a cozy, magnetic holiday feel without requiring hours of setup.
Whatever your overall decorating theme is these are my top recommendations for decor that will elevate any space in your home:
Gold Reindeer - These minimalist gold reindeer will look good on any mantle
Use Lights for Instant Warmth
Battery-operated LED lights are one of the easiest ways to make your home feel magical. Use them on:
Mantels
Kitchen shelves
Entryway tables
Inside glass jars or lanterns
Around a mirror
On a staircase railing
Because they’re cordless, you don’t have to worry about awkward outlets or tripping hazards. They’re especially great for renters or small apartments.
10' Fairy lights strand -Battery operated
Use Plug-In Extension Cords with Timers for Hassle-Free Lighting
If you’re using plug-in lights on your tree, garland, or outdoor décor, extension cords with built-in timers are a game changer. Simply set them once and your lights will turn on and off automatically every evening.
No more crawling under the tree or remembering to turn off exterior lights before bed.
Remote Control Outlet Wireless Light Switches
These are perfect for hard-to-reach outlets or large setups. With a simple remote, you can turn on multiple displays at once—ideal for:
Christmas village displays
Window candles
Mantel lights
Bedroom trees
It’s one of the easiest stress-reducing swaps you can make.
Decorative Twist Ties for Garland & Lights
Decorative twist ties may be small, but they make a huge difference when decorating:
Secure garland to railings
Attach lights to shelving
Keep cords neat and discreet
Hold stockings or wreaths in place
They blend into greenery and décor, making everything look polished and professionally styled.
3. Incorporate Christmas Decor Into Every Room—Easily
You don’t need to overhaul your entire home to create a festive feel. Small, intentional touches go a long way.
Switch Out Your Throw Pillow Covers
Instead of buying new pillows, use decorative Christmas pillowcases. They fold flat for easy storage and instantly transform your living room or bedroom. Look for designs like:
Scandinavian neutrals
Classic red and green
Snowflakes
Winter greenery
Vintage Christmas prints
This simple update adds warmth without taking up storage space.
Use Garland for Versatile Decorating
Packable or flexible garland is perfect for:
Mantels
Open shelving
Headboards
Door frames
Kitchen cabinets
Because it’s soft and pliable, you can shape it however you’d like—making it a great option for small spaces or apartments where elaborate installations aren’t possible.
Velvet Bows Garland - 10'
Decorate With Foldable Christmas Decor
Foldable décor like paper stars, accordion-style trees, and pop-up table decorations are lightweight, affordable, and easy to store. Pillow covers are easy to change out season to season without taking up additional space.
Hang paper stars on:
Windows
Corners of the living room
Over the dining table
In your entryway
They add big visual impact with minimal effort.
Christmas stamp decorative Pillow covers
Christmas Plaid decorative Pillow cover-Plaid is the pattern of the season but its never out of fashion if you ask me!
4. Get Guest-Ready: How to Prepare for Unexpected Overnight Visitors
The holidays are full of surprises—and sometimes that includes last-minute overnight guests. A little preparation now means you’ll be ready for anything.
Prep a Guest-Ready Basket
Include items guests might forget, such as:
Travel-size toiletries
Toothbrushes
Lotion
Cotton pads
A phone charging cable
A bottle of water
Keep everything in a decorative basket inside your guest room or bathroom so it’s always ready to go.
Make Your Guest Room Cozy Without Extra Clutter
If you don’t have a dedicated guest room, choose a space that can quickly convert:
A home office with a fold-out couch
An air mattress stored in a closet
A daybed that doubles as seating
Keep a small “guest essentials kit” nearby with:
Fresh sheets
An extra blanket
A set of pillows
A nightlight
This way, you’re ready within minutes.
Stock Up on Entertaining Essentials for Holiday Parties
Holiday hosting becomes much smoother when you’re prepared ahead of time. Keep these items accessible:
Serving platters
Holiday napkins
A drink dispenser or carafe
A set of Christmas plates
Coasters
Seasonal candles or diffusers- Thymes Frasier Fir
Tips for a smoother gathering:
Set up a beverage station so guests can help themselves
Use battery-operated candles for kid-friendly ambiance
Create a “drop zone” near the door for coats, purses, and shoes
The easier you make the flow, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel.
5. Keep Holiday Wrapping Supplies Organized
There’s nothing worse than pulling out crushed bows, ripped wrapping paper, or missing tape right when you need to wrap gifts. Organization is the key to stress-free holiday prep.
Use a Wrapping Paper Organizer
A dedicated organizer keeps:
Wrapping paper rolls
Ribbon
Tape
Scissors
Gift tags
Tissue paper
all in one place. Choose a slim, vertical organizer for small closets or an under-bed version for tight spaces. Get 2 in different colors - 1 for Christmas Wrap and for other occasions.
Exlifbag Wrapping Paper Storage Organizer: I love how this one hangs in a closet and is double sided making it great for smaller spaces. Different sizes of clear pockets allow you to easily see all of your ribbons and gift tags making this the ultimate organizer. (*paid link)
Christmas Wrapping Paper Organizer: This one is perfect for underneath the bed
6. Smart Storage Solutions for Christmas Decor
One of the biggest stressors after the holidays is packing everything away. When your storage is organized, next year becomes effortless.
Ornament Storage Box
A sturdy ornament storage box with dividers protects delicate pieces and keeps everything sorted by:
Color
Room
Theme
Material
No more tangled hooks or broken favorites.
72 4" Ornament box with extra zipper pockets
Wreath Storage Bag
A wreath storage bag prevents flattening, crushing, and dust accumulation. Many come with clear windows so you can easily see what’s inside.
Christmas Tree Storage Bag
Artificial trees last longest when properly stored. A Christmas tree storage bag keeps branches safe, dry, and contained—and it’s much easier than trying to shove everything back into the original cardboard box.
Christmas Tree Storage Bag for 9' tree
Christmas Dinner Plate Box
Holiday plates, specialty serving pieces, and sentimental dishes stay protected all year inside cushioned plate storage. It also simplifies the process next year when you pull everything out at once.
7. Make Next Year Even Easier: Label & Categorize Your Storage
To prevent overwhelm in the future, label all your bins by:
Room (Living Room Decor, Entryway Decor, Mantel Decor…)
Color theme (Neutrals, Classic Red, Metallic…)
Category (Ornaments, Garlands, Pillows, Wrapping…)
This small step saves hours next Christmas.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy a Stress-Free, Beautifully Decorated Christmas Home
Preparing your home for Christmas doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With simple organizational strategies, easy décor ideas, and smart storage solutions, your home can feel magical while staying manageable. Use battery-operated lights, packable garland, foldable décor, and remote-controlled outlets to make decorating effortless. Get guest-ready by prepping essentials ahead of time, and keep stress low by organizing wrapping supplies and holiday storage.
This Christmas, create a festive home you’ll love walking into every day—and enjoy every moment of the season with a little more ease and a lot more joy.
Product Recap:
Thymes Frasier Fir Candle
*article contains affiliate links and paid ads
