Holiday Ready: Tidy Up the Guest Room and Toy Area Before the Holiday Rush

With the holidays around the corner, now is the perfect time to prepare your home for visitors and manage toy clutter before the gift-giving season arrives. By organizing these two key areas—the guest room and the kids’ play area—you’ll create a calm, welcoming space that feels ready for the holidays.If you use one of your kid’s bedrooms for guests, apply what you can.  Do what you can like declutter now.

Here’s how to get started!

1. Clear Out and Organize the Guest Room

Whether it’s a dedicated guest room or a shared space that doubles as an office or storage area, a welcoming guest room will help your visitors feel comfortable and at home.

-Declutter Personal Items: Remove any personal belongings or items that don’t belong in the guest room. This includes paperwork, personal decor, or seasonal items stored there. Aim to create a neutral, relaxing space for your guests. We went through our daughter’s room to declutter and get rid of any unnecessary things to make the Holiday season a little bit easier. 

-Freshen Up the Linens: Wash and replace the bedding, including fresh sheets, pillowcases and blankets. Add some extra blankets to the room for added warmth and comfort.  Since our guest room is one of our kids rooms, we wash the sheets the day they come. 

– Provide Essentials: Stock the room with basic essentials your guests may need, like extra towels, toiletries, a small basket for personal items and a phone charger. If possible, clear a drawer or a small section of the closet so they have a place to unpack. Have hangers in case they need to hang anything up. 

– Add Cozy Touches: A small bedside lamp, a candle, or a few books can make the space feel more inviting. Think about what would make your guests feel welcome and at ease during their stay. Our daughter writes a note for the guest and definitely adds something for a special touch for that specific person. 

A clean, organized guest room will make a wonderful first impression and help your guests feel truly at home during the holidays.

2. Declutter the Kids’ Play Area, including their toys in their rooms.

The holiday season often brings new toys, games and gifts, which can lead to toy overload if you don’t plan ahead. By decluttering the kids’ play area now, you’ll not only create space for the new additions but also teach your kids the value of sharing and giving. We talked about this a couple months ago. 

-Sort and Organize Toys: Go through all toys, games, and activities with your kids, sorting them into categories like “keep,” “donate,” and “discard.” This is a great time to let go of broken items, toys that have been outgrown, or things they rarely play with. Think about how many toys they are getting for Christmas and get rid of that many toys. 

-Encourage Giving: Explain the concept of donating toys to kids who might not have as much, especially around the holidays. Letting your children choose which toys to donate can make the experience meaningful and help them feel proud of their generosity.

Here are a few tips from the previous blog to remember.

-Use Bins and Shelving: Once you’ve narrowed down the toys, organize them in accessible bins or on shelves. Label each bin for easy cleanup and create a designated space for frequently used items. This will help keep the play area tidy all season long.

-Rotate Toys: If there are too many toys to handle at once, consider setting up a rotation system. Store half of the toys out of sight, then switch them out every few months. This keeps things fresh for your kids and prevents overwhelming clutter.

A decluttered play area not only gives you more control over holiday clutter but also keeps the space fun and manageable for the kids.

Final Thoughts

By taking the time to prepare your guest room and kids’ play area, you’ll create a warm, organized environment that’s ready to welcome holiday guests and new memories. A clean, comfortable guest room helps loved ones feel at home, while a decluttered play area keeps the fun manageable for your kids.

The holiday season is all about creating space for connection and joy. With just a bit of effort now, you’ll set the stage for a peaceful, inviting home where you can relax and truly enjoy the festivities.

Stay tuned for next week’s blog, where we’ll tackle the bathroom and prepare for the holiday gift influx with more simple, effective decluttering tips!