Six Organizing Tips to Prepare For Your Holiday Party

It's time to get ready for the party you've been planning to have this holiday season. Don't wait until the last minute to plan your menu and decorate your home for the holidays. However, before you decorate, you may need to declutter! Now is the perfect time to take a good look at your home and decide on how you would like things arranged and organized on the big day. Unless you're fortunate to have abundant space, you may need to move some things around and even remove some items to accommodate all of your guests. Here are a few tips to get organized as you approach the day of your holiday party:

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1.   2-3 weeks before:

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- Mail out your invitations or use an online invitation service like evite.com.
- Begin the decluttering process throughout your home.  Break it down and do something every day.
- Schedule home services to give you a helping hand prior to the party, e.g cleaner, event planner, handyman, professional organizer, interior decorator, personal assistant, etc.

2.  2 weeks before:  

- Plan your menu. Select a menu based on the time of the party, whether it will be casual or formal or simply a wine and cheese cocktail party.  Do you have enough serving platters and a dedicated area to serve beverages? 

3.  1-2 weeks before: 

- If you are ordering catered items, check the deadline for placing your order, in order to be ready in time for the party. 
- If your home is not yet decorated for the holidays, you may want to get started at least a week before the party, so that you don't have to worry about it the week of the party.
- If you having a pot-luck dinner, call guests to confirm the dish they will be bringing to share.

4.  1 week before: 

- Shop for the ingredients you will need for your menu.
- If necessary, begin decluttering your entertaining space.
- If children are invited, set up a kid-friendly area for them to play and feel comfortable.  This is also a great time to put away your children's special toys and breakables, and purchase a few extra bins or baskets for toys that you intend to leave out for your younger guests to play with.

5.  5-7 days before: 

- Call invited guests who have not yet responded to your invitation to find out whether or not they are attending the party.

6.  The Week of the Party: 

- Determine the final count of attendees and check to make sure you have enough food and beverages for everyone.
- If necessary, rearrange your furniture and set it up to encourage conversation.
- Add your finishing touches to your décor and then do some final decluttering!

After all of this organization, on the day of the party, you will be free to take a deep breath, relax and enjoy your clutter-free and beautifully decorated home.  Have a great party!

Six Organizing Tips to Prepare For Your Holiday Party

Jacquie Ross is a Professional Organizer, writer and owner of Maryland based, CastAway the Clutter! [http://www.castawaytheclutter.com]. CastAway the Clutter! and online resource Halo Organizers. Jacquie serves clients in the Baltimore, Maryland area and is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. She teaches homeowners and professionals how to get organized and reclaim their time and space. Jacquie is also the Organized Families writer for the Baltimore Examiner.

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