Week By Week Guide to a Stress Free Holiday Season with Tasha

With the holidays quickly approaching, Tasha shares a week-by-week guide to help us stay organized and avoid last-minute overwhelm.

Preparing for the holidays is like any other large project—start with a master list and then break it into smaller, manageable chunks. Instead of mapping out every single day, create a flexible plan that allows for unexpected events.

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FLEXIBILITY IS KEY
Illnesses, surprise guests, or changing travel plans can throw schedules off. A successful plan will have flexibility and breathing room so that when things shift, we don’t have to stress.

Tasha compares this to her experience in project management for the Get Organized HQ Virtual Conference. Learning how much you can reasonably handle in a week is a skill that develops over time.

WEEK ONE: CLEANING TASKS
The first week focuses on cleaning high-traffic areas. Whether you’re hosting guests or preparing to travel, this is the time to take care of spaces that will actually make a difference, such as guest rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Tasha suggests prioritizing cleaning tasks in tiers. First tackle non-negotiables like washing linens or clearing off the guest bed, and then, if time allows, move to “bonus” tasks like vacuuming behind furniture.

WEEK TWO: MEAL PLANNING
In week two, focus Thanksgiving meal planning. Finalize the menu, make a shopping list, and reach out to anyone you are hosting or assisting to coordinate dishes.

Delegate tasks early. Ask guests to bring sides, desserts, or drinks, and confirm who is responsible for what. Having this plan in place reduces stress as the holiday draws near.

WEEK THREE: SHOPPING & BLACK FRIDAY PREP
Week three is for grocery shopping and prepping for Black Friday. Tasha advises getting Thanksgiving groceries early to avoid last-minute stress.

She also encourages us to make a master plan for Black Friday shopping, noting that being intentional will help prevent unnecessary purchases and clutter. By listing what you truly need you can take advantage of sales without overspending.

WEEK FOUR: ENJOY THANKSGIVING
During Thanksgiving week, Tasha’s advice is to slow down and enjoy the holiday. This week acts as a buffer. If something from previous weeks was missed, you can take care of it now. The focus should be on family, and enjoying the season.

WEEK FIVE: THANKSGIVING RECOVERY
The week after Thanksgiving is for resetting and recovering. Tidy up from hosting, unpack from travel, and catch up on laundry.

This is also a good time to decorate for Christmas and take care of holiday cards. Tasha shares a tip about using services like Shutterfly’s address book feature, which can save time in future years by automating the card mailing process.

WEEK SIX: FRESHEN UP YOUR SPACE
By week six, it’s time for a quick refresh of your space—wiping surfaces, vacuuming, or tidying up lived-in areas. Since the deep cleaning was already done, you shouldn’t have to redo any of those tasks.

Tasha also suggests finalizing the Christmas meal plan. Whether you’re hosting or traveling, coordinate with others and make a shopping list to stay ahead.

WEEK SEVEN: SHOPPING & WRAPPING
Week seven focuses on shopping and gift wrapping. Buy groceries and finish any last-minute shopping early to avoid crowded stores the week before Christmas. She encourages us to make gift wrapping enjoyable by putting on festive music or a holiday movie.

WEEK EIGHT: ENJOY THE HOLIDAY
The final week is about enjoyment and rest. At this point, the essentials are done. Anything left is nonessential and can be let go.

WRAPPING UP
Tasha announces that season one will wrap up the week of Thanksgiving, but weekly episodes will continue until then.

She thanks everyone for listening and hopes that the podcast has encouraged everyone to live a life of less stress and more peace.

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