This Home Holiday Checklist will help save you stress this December.

 

This is our final cleaning and organizing post for the year, I hope it has helped you get some things in order and taken some stress off you. We are going to finish up strong and enjoy the end of this year and look forward to a new year! We are working on Christmas preparation for your home (or the holiday you celebrate)  You can repeat these daily quick cleaning and organizing tips again this next year to keep on top of those tasks that are sometimes forgotten!

Take it one small task at a time throughout the year with our series and you can tackle it all easily! We want to help you clean and organize your home the way that works best for you! We have been working on getting ready for the holidays that last few months and these final daily tasks should help you have less stress this holiday season.

Most tasks should take 15 – 30 minutes. If it works for you do each task on the corresponding date, if not just use it as a list of tasks, some days you may get more than one done. You may wish to take off the weekend and double up on weekdays or vice versa. I want you to be successful so do what works best for you. We only gave you 25 tasks this month so you can catch up if need be.

My friend’s over at Grove Collective made a special cleaning offer for my readers.

You can items FREE from Grove Collaborative when you place your first order of $20 using my link.

New customers will get the holiday set

• Free Mrs. Meyer’s holiday hand soap
• Free Mrs. Meyer’s holiday dish soap
• Free Mrs. Meyer’s holiday multi-surface spray
• Grove Collaborative caddy
• Grove Collaborative walnut scrubber sponges

 

Check out this special cleaning offer

It is so handy to have cleaning products come right to your doorstep and they make it easy to cancel auto shipments so you can just order whenever you want or you can easily cancel.

Sign up a the end of this article to get your free Clean and Organize List for Every Month This Year

 

December Savvy Cleaning and Organizing – Home Holiday Checklist

1. Launder and put away fall linens and dishes– if you didn’t already at the end of November finish putting away out of season items.
2. Make your list and check it twice– Maybe you are already done Christmas shopping, good for you! Take today off, if not make a list of what you have bought and what still needs to be picked up. Need gift ideas? Check out the list of gift ideas for all ages. You might want to pin this too since these gift ideas are great for birthdays and other holidays.
3. Start a file for Christmas receipts– Doing this will help you keep track of your spending, make returns/exchanges easier, and keep your counter and desk clean.
4. Dust off and polish the mantle– Let’s get it ready for those stockings and other decor items that will set the holiday mood.
5. Sort through holiday decorations– As you bring out ornaments and other decor instead of repacking items you have not used in years set them aside for donations. Only keep those items you love and use.
6. Wrap gifts as you bring them home– Doing this simple thing will keep your holiday from overwhelming you and keep your shopping and wrapping organized. If you have other items not wrapped yet, catch up today.
7. Thin out your movie collection– While you’re bringing out the Christmas movies make sure all your dvds have case, toss the empty cases and scratched movies. Donate or place unloved ones in a yard sale box.
8. Make a batch of holiday stove potpourri– Make up a mason jar of holiday scent to keep your house smelling festive throughout the entire season. Just grab distilled water and whatever you have on hand- orange or lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, vanilla, cloves, allspice, etc… Mix it up in the jar and keep it on hand. To use: pour some in a pot and simmer on low on the stove.
9. Empty out your purse– Switch to a new winter color or wipe down the outside and inside with a damp cloth. Spray with cleaner and allow to air out overnight. Reorganize the contents.
10. Purge in the kids’ rooms– Help the kids spend 15 minutes sorting toys- toss broken items choose at least 5 things to donate.
11. Create your holiday dinner menu– Make a list of all items you need for the store, spend 15 minutes tidying up the pantry while you check off items on your shopping list.
12. Water the Christmas Tree– If you haven’t been doing so, water the tree well. This will help keep pine needle droppings to a minimum and cut back on your work. Have an artificial tree, spend 15 minutes tidying a hot spot in your home.
13. Create a Christmas morning basket– Batteries, tape, trash bags for wrapping paper, scissors, and tuck your camera in also so you are not scrambling for it last minute! If you don’t have extra batteries or trash bags on hand. Order them today so you don’t have to run out later.
14. Stock the guest bathroom with plenty of fresh towels, toilet paper, and spray– Be sure that your bathroom is guest ready for any entertaining that you might do. Did you know that Amazon will deliver toilet paper right to your home and at a great price?
15. Go through kitchen towels and pot holders– Toss worn out hand towels, pot holders, and rags. Pick up a pretty new set or two for the holidays.
16. Freshen up the couch and chairs– Before holiday entertaining begins give your sitting areas a freshening up. Vacuum out under the cushion well and saturate cushions and throw pillows with fabric refresher.
17. Wash all throw rugs throughout the house– Right before your holiday gatherings, washing them will add to the fresh clean smell in your home.
18. Dust shelves, knick-knacks, books– Give all surfaces a quick but thorough dusting.
19. Empty the fridge of leftovers, wipe down shelves– You are gonna have it stocked soon with all baking, leftovers, holiday drinks and more. Get it ready now!
20. Add fresh flowers/greenery and candles to freshen up your decor– Not only do they add a wonderful scent but they are a simple way to make your home inviting and festive.
21. Spend 20 minutes decluttering – Hit areas like kitchen counters, dressers, and other surfaces that seem to be a magnet for clutter.
22. Freshen up the entryway– Welcome your guests with clean, bright, and festive entryway. Keep clutter to a minimum and add a touch of holiday decor.
23. Clean out the oven, scrub off the stove top– Spray the oven and let it sit overnight, wipe it out well the next morning. Be sure to clean the top just as well.
24. Clean and stock up the coffee/cocoa bar- Wipe down the coffee pot, stock up on creamers and coffee, and tidy it all up. Add a piece or two of holiday decor.
25. Enjoy your holiday!

Hopefully by tackling a few things each day throughout the month. It will help make your home run more smoothly and help you enjoy your holidays more. It is amazing how just 15 minutes a day can make a HUGE impact! Don’t forget to sign up and we will email you free tasks lists for each month.

Be sure to check out more great info here to help with daily cleaning

Simple Steps to Help Keep Your House Clean 

Routines to Help you Get Your Home Organized 

Get Organized with a Nightime Routine

As we settle into the end of the year and the busy holiday season it is time to purge, declutter, and prepare for enjoying family more and things less. This is the time to be brutal in deciding what to get rid of- if you don’t love it or find it useful toss it out! Lightening up the load around the house isn’t just so you can load up on more for the holidays, it is so that you can worry about less, clean less, and enjoy more.

Most of these tasks can be done in 15 minutes or less but can have a huge impact on your home.  [Read more…]

Crisp cool air makes me want to toss open the windows, clear out the clutter, and cozy up my home to welcome fall and any guests that may stop in. Spread a little of the fall spirit around and touch on all the main living spaces in your house, cleaning, organizing, and refreshing areas.

Most of these tasks can be done in 15 minutes or less but can have a huge impact on your home.  [Read more…]

Looking for meal planning ideas?  Here are 101 easy ideas to help show you how to meal plan and get dinner on the table with less stress while you are saving money.

Meal planning is something that everyone should use to help keep their grocery budget in check and their weeknights easier to manage.  Meal planning is one of the most simple ways to save money.  Money that you can then spend on other things that are important to you! You don’t have to feel overwhelmed by meal planning. There are tons of great tips out there for making your menu amazing, cheap, and something everyone in your family will love.  These tips are a great beginning to an amazing meal planning routine for your kitchen.  If you are looking for a meal plan template or printable meal planner, be sure to sign up for this how-to meal plan checklist including a weekly menu planning printable sheet.  I also include a special offer for a meal planning book. 

 

With back to school, I thought this would be a great time to think more about meal planning and how it can save you time, money and stress.

101 Tips For Meal Planning Success – Meal Planning Tips 

This list of tips includes links to our own posts with more details, as well as some basic concepts that work great for any menu type you choose.

 

 

1. Utilize already prepared menu plans to help you get ideas and have a grocery list on hand easily. One of our favorites is Eat at Home. 
2. Shop once a month for main ingredients and weekly for fresh fruits and vegetables
3. Limit new recipes to only 2-3 times per month
4. Invest in quality food storage like a Food Saver or Pyrex Freezer Bowls. See more must have meal planning tools here. 
5. Always label all freezer meals with date prepared, recipe name, and ingredients
6. Get your family involved in decision making to learn their favorite meals.
7. Add easy to prepare meals for your kids and spouse to make.
8. Don’t forget adding breakfast for dinner is a great option.
9. Use liners in your Crockpot to save time on cleanup.
10. Make double batches of breads, cakes, cookies, and brownies to freeze for future snacks or additions to meals.
11. Use limited leftovers to create casseroles by adding a pasta or rice and a cream soup base. Great with small amounts of veggies and chicken.
12. Make your own seasoning blends to cut back on expense and sodium in your meals.
13. Stick with seasonal foods to cut back on costs.  Buy when on sale and freeze for future meals during off-season.
14. Use your Crockpot or Instant Pot for cooking in summer to avoid heating the house with the oven.
15. Don’t overcrowd your freezer.  Foods freeze faster and healthier when there is air to circulate around them.
16. Use your Instant Pot for easy and fast last minute meals including roasts, chicken, soups, stews, and pastas.
17. Plan to use leftovers for lunches by creating larger portions.
18. Use theme nights to make planning easier: Taco Tuesday, Soup Sunday, etc.
19. Complete the full meal planning calendar by planning ahead for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
20. Make dessert a once per week treat instead of daily menu option.
21. Create easy breakfast freezer items like breakfast burritos, muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and smoothie packs that work on any meal plan.
22. Never grocery shop without a list.  
23. Break your grocery list down by aisles of the store with notes of prices in sales papers.
24. Take help with you to make grocery shopping easier, and to keep on track so you don’t make unnecessary purchases.
25. Add leftover vegetables to a freezer bag to be thrown into soups or stews or later easy meals.
26. Don’t throw away marinades.  Reduce and boil to kill bacteria and use as a sauce for meats and vegetables.
27. Double check your pantry and freezer before shopping so you don’t buy something you already have on hand.
28. Clean your kitchen in advance when preparing multiple meals at once so you have all tools available and an empty counter and sink to work with.
29. Create freezer meals in big batches for less time in the kitchen throughout the month
30. Host a meal planning swap with friends who also use freezer meals.  This gives you extra hands to prepare meals and a variety of foods.
31. Create the ultimate meal planning pantry by stocking up on regularly used meal staple items like pasta, sauces, rice, and canned goods.
32. Organize your pantry for easy access and viewing so you aren’t wasting money on last-minute grocery items.
33. Buy extra shelves and baskets for your deep freeze for better storage
34. Defrost your freezer regularly so freezer meals are properly stored and you have more room for frozen foods.
35. Use the same ingredients in multiple recipes to cut back on costs.
36. Buy in bulk and portion items to save money when meal planning.  Meats, bulk grains, dry beans, and spices are often the best deals.
37. Take advantage of seasonal sales to stock your pantry and freezer with produce and meats at lowest prices.
38. Make double batches for easy leftovers.
39. Amp up flavors with fresh herbs.
40. If making freezer casseroles, invest in quality dishes that can go from freezer to refrigerator to oven with no problems.
41. Add healthier options gradually so not to overwhelm picky eaters and create wasted food.
42. Prep fruits and vegetables as soon as you get home with them so none go bad in your refrigerator drawers.
43. Batch cook meats and freeze in recipe portion sizes for faster meal preparation.
44. Cook dry beans in your Crockpot then portion and freeze for easy use in recipes.  This saves time, money, and reduces sodium.
45. Learn what foods freeze well to take advantage of sales (eggs, bananas, cheese, etc.)
46. Keep a menu plan visible in the kitchen for reference. 
47. Make sandwich nights a regular easy meal to give you a break from cooking.
48. Use your grill for batch cooking meats and vegetables easily.
49. Freeze meats in a marinade for even more flavor when cooking.
50. Create hamburger patties and separate with wax paper before freezing for fast meals.  This can also be used for homemade breakfast sausages.
51. Allow foods to cool before putting into the freezer to prevent condensation that creates freezer burn.
52. Lay bags of soup flat on a cookie sheet to freeze then stack like books to save space in the freezer.
53. Make double batches of soups, stews, and chili in the Crockpot to freeze for a second meal.
54. Cook roasts in the Crockpot then shred for BBQ sandwiches, tacos, or casseroles.
55. Cook baked regular and sweet potatoes in batches in the Crockpot to keep the kitchen cool in summer.  
56. Make your own homemade French fries and tater tots by preparing and par-cooking allowing to cool, then freezing for future use.  This cuts back on savings and time for preparing fresh foods at mealtime.
57. Drain excess grease from cooked ground meat before freezing.
58. Use apps for helping stay on top of your grocery list and meal plan.
59. Cook bacon in the oven in large batches then freeze for easy use in recipes.  This is faster and creates less mess.
60. Invest in the right tools for your kitchen like sharp knives, cutting boards, stockpots, non-stick cookware, and casserole dishes with lids.
61. Create your meal plans around the sales at the grocery store.
62. Plan one week of meals just from your pantry and freezer to properly rotate food stock.
63. Limit the addition of meat by adding beans into more casseroles, soups, chili, or tacos.
64. Shred vegetables like zucchini, cabbage, and carrots to freeze for future recipes.
65. Keep separate storage areas for ingredients some may be allergic to for safety in cooking.
66. Create a master recipe list of family favorites then break down ingredients to keep those items on hand at all times.
67. Add new recipes your family likes into a cookbook or recipe box marked with how often you will use for easy access later.
68. Keep a printed and digital copy of your menu plans for easy access.  Evernote and Dropbox are great tools for this.
69. Keep a list of ingredients, recipes, or styles of food your family doesn’t like so you won’t repeat in the future.
70. Watch the weather for best times to grill outside or bake indoors when the temperatures are lower.
71. Use Pinterest and Yummly on the go to create boards focused just on potential recipes for future meal planning. See some of my Pinterest boards here. 
72. Keep vegetable peels in a freezer bag to later use for creating a flavorful vegetable stock to use in soups and stews.
73. Invest in bag holders if creating freezer meals in large freezer bags.
74. Use dry erase stickers for freezer containers to save costs long term.
75. Wash vegetables and fruits in a vinegar and water rinse to kill germs and clean before cutting
76. Freeze cheese before hand grating.  This makes it easier to work with softer cheeses in large batches.
77. Save the butter wrapper to grease dishes with for baked goods.
78. Save water from boiling pasta or potatoes to add back in as you mix with sauces for more flavor.
79. Stock your pantry with ingredients for 3 meals that only require non-perishable items for emergencies.
80. Only add recipes to your meal planning rotation that are approved by 75% of your family.  Food waste isn’t effective in budget meal planning.
81. Follow food blogs and recipe groups for new ideas.
82. Keep the same day each week or month for meal planning and food prep for consistency so you don’t get off track.
83. Add one “clean out the fridge” night each week to help you cut back on leftovers being wasted.
84. Add one vegetarian meal to your meal planning each week to cut back on costs and improve health.
85. Calculate the expense of a ready-made meal plan prior to purchase.  Sometimes the cost far outweighs the frustration of locating recipes on your own and assembling a shopping list.
86. Freeze wine in ice cubes for easy portions to add to soups and sauces while cooking.
87. Prep fresh fruits and vegetables for freezing to use in recipes by cutting, patting dry, and allowing to freeze on a cookie sheet first.  You can then transfer to bags. This removes moisture and prevents freezer burn as well as clumping together in the freezer.
88. Portion leftovers when you put food away so reheating is easier for lunches and meals later.
89. When creating your grocery shopping list, list all recipes individually, then add duplicate items together to create the final total needed.
90. Cook pasta in sauces instead of separately.  It takes longer but means less cleanup and the flavor of the pasta is much better.
91. Create your own pasta sauce in the Crockpot then can for homemade cheaper sauce using fresh ingredients to stretch your meal planning budget and make meals easier to make.
92. Keep your knives sharp so prep is easier to complete.
93. Have a separate cutting board for raw veggies and raw meat for safety and faster meal preparation.
94. Always empty your dishwasher or wash dishes before cooking so you have less mess to clean up afterward.
95. Create semi-homemade meals using ready-made things like canned soups, frozen meatballs, or even cake mixes and add your own ingredients and twists to them.
96. Roast whole chickens and turkeys when on sale then shred meat and portion for use in future casseroles and soups.
97. Organize your refrigerator for easier use when preparing meals.  Keep like items together, and use extra shelves or bins to keep it organized as needed.
98. Always keep at least 2-3 bags of frozen vegetables on hand that everyone enjoys for a fast addition to any meat.
99. Always thaw frozen meals overnight in your refrigerator. Never thaw foods on the countertop. Follow FDA food safety guidelines for the health of your family.
100. Invest in the right tools for the jobs.  Things like food processors are great multi-purpose tools for preparation, and slow cookers in multiple sizes make it easy to prepare a large meal while you work or spend time with family.
101. Start slowly with just one week of meal planning at a time.  Once you get the hang of it, you can move to monthly meal planning.

Jump in with both feet and give meal planning a try using our tips above and in the listed articles we have created to break down some of the more difficult parts of meal planning for your family.

More Meal Planning Resources

How to Create a Meal Planning Pantry

Meal Planning with an Instant Pot

How to Use a Crock Pot for Meal Planning

Meal Planning Tips with Picky Eaters 

Meal Planning – Once a Month Meals

Must-Have Meal Planning Tools 

Restricted Diets & Food Allergies Meal Planning Tips

Wondering How to Make a Meal Plan?

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