Simple routines and set-ups that help your home support you during the busiest season of the year.

The holidays are meant to feel joyful, but for many homeowners, they also bring full calendars, extra guests, more stuff, and a whole lot of mental clutter. While you can’t control every obligation that comes with the season, you can set up small systems at home that reduce friction and help everything run more smoothly.

The goal isn’t perfection, it’s ease. Here are a few simple, low-effort systems that make your home feel calmer, more functional, and more supportive during the holidays.

1. Create a Temporary “Holiday Command Centre”

During the holidays, information multiplies quickly: invitations, schedules, gift lists, school events, receipts. Instead of letting them float around the house, give them a home.

Set up a small command centre in the kitchen or entryway:

• A clipboard or small bulletin board for invites and schedules
• A notebook for gift lists and to-dos
• A tray or basket for receipts and cards
• A shared digital calendar synced with family members

Why it helps: One central spot reduces the mental load of remembering “where did I put that?” and keeps everyone on the same page.

2. Designate a “Landing Zone” for Extra Stuff

Between deliveries, gifts, winter gear, and guests, clutter builds fast. The easiest way to stay ahead of it is to contain it.

Choose one space (a spare room corner, closet, or section of the basement) and use it as a short-term holding area for:

• Incoming gifts
• Extra coats and bags
• Hosting supplies
• Items waiting to be wrapped or returned

Realistic tip: Not everything needs a permanent home right now. Temporary systems are still systems.

3. Simplify Guest Readiness

If you’re hosting this season, you don’t need to deep-clean your entire home,  just focus on the areas guests actually use.

Create a simple guest-ready checklist:

• Entryway cleared and functional
• Bathroom stocked with soap, towels, and toilet paper
• Kitchen counters mostly clear
• One catch-all basket to quickly hide daily clutter

Why it works: Knowing you can be “guest ready” in 15 minutes or less removes a huge layer of stress.

4. Set Up a Wrapping & Gifting Station

Instead of pulling supplies out every time you need to wrap a gift, create a dedicated (and temporary) wrapping station.

All you need:

• A bin or basket with paper, tape, scissors, and labels
• A flat surface (table, desk, or counter)
• A small bag for scraps

When the season ends, everything goes back into one container for next year.

5. Establish a Daily Reset Routine

The fastest way to keep holiday chaos from piling up is a short daily reset. 10 to 15 minutes at the end of the day.

Focus on:

• Clearing the kitchen sink and counters
• Resetting the entryway
• Returning items to their zones

This isn’t about deep cleaning. It’s about starting each day with a clean slate.

6. Give Yourself Permission to Pause

A calm home isn’t just about organization, it’s about intention.

Choose one spot in your home to be a no-to-do zone:

• A cozy chair
• A reading corner
• A candle-lit kitchen nook

Protect that space. The calmer you feel in your home, the better the season will feel overall.

A Calm Home Is a Thoughtful One

Homes naturally work harder during the holidays. By putting a few small systems in place, you allow your space to support you — not add to your stress.

And remember, calm doesn’t mean minimal. It means functional, intentional, and flexible.

If you’d like help preparing your home for guests, listing after the holidays, or simply creating better flow in your space, we’re always happy to help.