Get Your Atwell Home Ready for the Holidays

The holidays are coming! Before you bring the boxes of holiday decorations out of storage, though, take some time to put your house in tip-top shape. Try these tips to get your Atwell home ready for the holidays.

Remove the clutter.

The saying goes that one person's trash is another person's treasure. The same goes for those items around your Atwell home that no longer serve their original, useful purpose! Fall is a great time to purge the clutter to give your holiday decorating a clean slate. Recycle old magazines and take books to a used book store or consider donating them to nursing homes, shelters or libraries. Sell or give away unused knickknacks and furnishings, or box them for future upcycling projects. That cabinet of used flower vases? Local florists are often looking for recycled vases so ask around.

Prepare for baking.

With the holidays comes holiday baking. Make sure your Atwell kitchen is equipped by freeing pantry shelves of outdated and unwanted items. This is particularly important for baking ingredients as many lose their effectiveness and flavors as they age. Check dates on things like flour, baking soda, coconut, spices and yeast. Keep a notepad or chalkboard in your pantry to note items for replacing.

Now is a good time to purge the freezer and refrigerator, too. Clean empty shelves with a spray made of two tablespoons baking soda and a quart of hot water.

Freshen up your spaces.

Even a new home can benefit from eco-friendly hacks to bring out the sparkle, from windows to countertops, cabinet doors to ovens. Instead of donating that entire pile of old t-shirts, put some to work instead as cleaning rags. And don't forget the outdoor living areas. Wash outdoor furniture and cushions, sweep or mop patios, and dust ceiling fans and fixtures.

Planning to use the fancy dishes you haven't seen since last year's holidays? Wipe or wash them, as well as serving utensils and crystal, so they are ready to use. Check table linens for stains; wash or replace as needed. Take inventory of napkins, napkin rings, placemats and other items you'll need.

Hosting holiday guests? Pay special attention to rooms in your Atwell home that don't regularly get used, like guest rooms and baths. Empty trash cans, check nightlight bulbs and remove old items from bathroom cabinets. Stock bathrooms with boutique-style toiletries and travel sizes of frequently forgotten items like toothpaste and razors. Set out extra pillows and blankets. Surprise your guests with special touches like bottles of water or a locally made candy by the bedside.