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A Good Housekeeping report outlines nine home-organizing projects to tackle before holiday gatherings, drawing on advice from professional organizers C. Lee Cawley and Linda Thibodeau. The list covers coats and winter gear, dishes and food storage, gift wrap, linens, and guest spaces; it is expert guidance, not a report of a new rule or formal study.
A Good Housekeeping report recommends tackling nine household organizing projects before holiday gatherings, from clearing coat and linen closets to checking dishes and preparing guest rooms. Professional organizers C. Lee Cawley and Linda Thibodeau say doing the work ahead of time can make space for visitors and help hosts spot missing supplies before the busiest days.
The advice begins with areas likely to face extra use when guests arrive. Cawley, a certified professional organizer and owner of Simplify You, recommends emptying the coat closet, donating items no longer worn, and adding hangers for visitors. Thibodeau, co-owner of Curated Spaces, advises checking children’s and adults’ winter coats, boots and mittens for items that no longer fit or get used. She says usable unwanted cold-weather gear may be in demand at donation centers and local coat drives.
In the kitchen, Cawley suggests checking plates and mugs for chips or cracks, locating and labeling serving pieces, washing dishes that have sat in storage, and confirming there are enough dishes, glasses and cutlery for the largest planned gathering. Thibodeau recommends reviewing the refrigerator and pantry for expired goods and making room for holiday groceries and leftovers. She says unopened, unexpired food that will not be used can be donated to a local food pantry.
The remaining projects focus on supplies and visitor comfort. Thibodeau recommends sorting gift wrap, ribbon and bags, discarding damaged materials and storing what remains in a long under-bed bin or purpose-made container. Hosts can check for matching guest sheet sets and usable towels, clear surfaces in the guest room, and make room in its closet and drawers. Cawley also recommends matching hangers and a luggage rack. For the guest bathroom, she suggests clearing counter space and stocking items such as a spare toothbrush, toiletries and feminine products.
More Room for Guests and Supplies
The recommendations address a practical hosting problem: visitors can add pressure to storage, food supplies and shared rooms at the same time. Clearing a coat closet gives guests somewhere to put outerwear; checking dishes and serving pieces may reveal shortages while there is still time to address them. Making space in a guest room and bathroom also gives visitors room to store belongings and use the home without relying on the host for every basic item.
The list also connects preparation with reuse. Donating wearable winter gear can direct useful items to coat drives or donation centers, while suitable old towels and sheets may be accepted by animal shelters. Food donation is more limited: Thibodeau’s advice applies to unopened, unexpired food. The report offers organizing suggestions rather than evidence that completing the projects will produce a particular cost saving or hosting outcome.
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A Nine-Area Hosting Checklist
The report groups its recommendations around spaces and supplies that may see heavier use during holiday visits: the entry closet, seasonal clothing, kitchenware, food storage, wrapping supplies, household linens, guest bedroom, guest closet and guest bathroom. Some projects overlap. For example, reviewing winter gear can happen while clearing the coat closet, while preparing the guest room includes both clearing surfaces and making room for clothing and luggage.
The source is a Good Housekeeping service article that attributes specific recommendations to Cawley and Thibodeau. It does not present survey results, a research study, or an official seasonal checklist. Its guidance is based on the organizers’ professional advice, and readers may adapt the tasks to their homes, schedules and local donation options.
““Make room for everything on your holiday dinner shopping list and all the leftovers that will ensue.””
— Linda Thibodeau
Advice, Not Measured Results
The report does not give a publication date, a recommended order for completing the nine projects, or a timeline for how long they may take. It also does not quantify how much space, money or time households might save. Donation acceptance rules vary by organization, so readers should check locally before bringing items such as linens or food. The article does not say that every household needs all nine projects; the relevant tasks depend on the home and whether guests are expected.
Choose Tasks Before Guests Arrive
The next step for readers is to identify which rooms and supplies will be under the most pressure, then handle those areas before shopping and guest arrivals begin. A practical sequence from the report is to sort entryway and winter gear, check kitchenware and food storage, and then prepare the guest room, closet and bathroom. Donation plans should be checked with local organizations, particularly for food and linens. The source offers no follow-up announcement or scheduled milestone; it presents the checklist as advance preparation for the holiday season.
Key Questions
What are the nine organizing projects?
The report recommends clearing the coat closet, sorting winter gear, checking and washing dishware, organizing gift wrap, reviewing the refrigerator and pantry, sorting linens, preparing the guest room, clearing the guest-room closet and stocking the guest bathroom.
Which kitchen items should hosts check?
Cawley recommends checking plates and mugs for chips or cracks, finding serving pieces, washing stored dishes and confirming there are enough dishes, glassware and cutlery for the largest gathering. Thibodeau advises checking food storage for expired items and making space for groceries and leftovers.
What food can be donated?
Thibodeau says food that is unopened and unexpired can be donated to a local food pantry. Readers should check the pantry’s rules before donating.
What should a host make available in a guest room?
The organizers suggest clearing surfaces, making room in the closet and drawers, providing hangers and a luggage rack, and checking that guests have suitable linens. The report also recommends clearing bathroom counter space and stocking basic toiletries.
Can old towels and sheets be donated?
Thibodeau says dog shelters can use old linens that do not have filling inside, including towels and sheets. Donation requirements differ, so contact a local shelter before dropping items off.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
