WINNER Anna (ana4778@
The other day we talked about an option to give you more room in your fridge. On that same line of thought, don’t forget that you are going to need to be prepared for all the extra trash that piles up during the holidays too.
Paper products and beverage containers can pile up fast when you have a large group in your home. Consider adding additional receptacles for folks to discard their waste. Make sure they are easy to spot so people actually use them instead of creating piles in your kitchen work area!
Put someone in charge of checking the trash bins so they can be monitored and changed as needed. At my house the boys have trash bin duty. I have learned that leaving unused bags in the bottom of the trash bin will increase the likelihood that they actually put a new bag in once they pull the full bag. If the bag is sitting there waiting for them, they will replace it. But if they have to go hunt one down, the trash bin may end up getting filled before the new bag arrives!
You might even consider labeling the trash bins so folks know where to place the various items. After all, ’tis the season for lots of food to be shoved down drains. Giving folks a place to put their trash will help you keep your house clean and it may even save you a call to your local plumber!
Of course you might want to plan ahead. We have a great deal on Drano® products right now at Publix. Get 15% off Drano® Max Gel and Drano® Dual-Force® Foamer. It might not be a bad idea to grab some and be prepared!
Stay tuned for more tips tomorrow and remember, you can stock up on all your favorite SC Johnson products in preparation for your holiday fun and get a Publix gift card with your purchase. You’ll earn a $5 Publix gift card when you purchase $20 in participating SC Johnson products now through 11/23.
Getting your gift card is very simple. All it takes it three easy steps!
- Purchase $20 in participating products at Publix.
- Snap a photo of your receipt.
- Submit your photo to happythanksgatheringpublix.com
I have more great news! One iHeartPublix reader will get to stock up on great SC Johnson products to help them make their holiday great thanks to a $100 Publix gift card!
Entry is simple! You just need to complete the task below. The random winner will be selected on Friday 11/18 at 11 pm EST. View the Giveaway & Sweepstakes Rules.
REQUIRED ENTRY:
- How will you prepare for all the upcoming holiday madness? Do you have a plan in place to deal with the extra people?
Valid on qualifying purchased from 10/30/16 to 11/23/16; terms and conditions apply. All valid receipts must be uploaded by 11/29/16. Void where prohibited. Offer available while supplies of gift cards last. Limit one (1) gift card reward per household address. Full Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy can be found at happythanksgatheringpublix.com
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I like to deep clean ahead of time (that’s my plan for this weekend). Then, before the family arrives, I just have to give my house a quick wipe down. I also change out guest bedding this weekend, so it’s clean and fresh for the massive number of people that are sleeping over (lots of out of town family).
I honestly always end up at someone else’s house for the holidays. I try to be a good house guest and clean up around the place as much as I can. Entertaining so many people is always so stressful for the host so I try to help out.
I try to get to bed early the night before, so that I am well rested and relaxed, to deal with all the madness the next day.
My plan is to stay organized. I’m not one that gets up set if guests are running late or if the food isn’t done right on time, but I do believe that the key to all the holiday madness is being organized. As long as I am organized I can work through just about anything:)
The dumpster is just a few steps outside my door. I don’t own a trash can. Yes that’s right I don’t own one! I recycle a lot and the recycling dumpster is right outside the door too. When I have guests over, I use real dishes, real napkins and cloth tablecloth. So there’s very little trash. I save a few plastic containers and set them out on the counter top for guests to take home leftovers in. I have a toilet paper tower in the bathroom that has mega rolls on it so we don’t run out of toilet paper while guests are here.
My plan is to make lists and stick with them – for deadlines of shopping, baking, etc…!
I am trying to just go with the flow. It doesn’t always work that way but I am making an effort to be better at managing stress.
Most of the food will be prepared the day before and my guest will be bringing a covered dish
I have a list of all the dishes I prepare for the day before and the day of. I also get my hubby to bring the trash can from his garage into the house to set in the corner for trash.
remember always no matter what that a relaxed host = happy guests who feel welcome
When hosting lots of people for multiple days, I always set an itinerary . In my itinerary (which I usually share with them ahead of time in case of serious objections) I include what, if anything, we are doing that particular day as well as what will be served for lunch and dinner. This saves a LOT of headaches, trust me.
I try to do as much ahead of time as possible – getting the house ready and getting decorations – fancy plates, etc out and clean and ready. I write down tasks and check them off as I go! that helps a lot
I try to clean one room at a time as early ahead as possible, paying special attention to the guest bathroom.
prepare everything early
This year I’m going to someone else’s house (though I am bringing some side dishes). When I have cooked the big meal, I tried to keep some dishes simple, like plain steamed vegetables, instead of making all those heavy casseroles.
I always always have extra chairs for extra people. Plus to soften the madness of this holiday I will have some silly game where the guests can win a gift card to enjoy a purchase online so that they can relax and not rush out to the stores and actually enjoy what thanksgiving is all about.
Martha Stewart has a great schedule so I can get all of the prep work done! Guests ALWAYS help with food prep and clean up! I try to have extra towels on hand for bathrooms and in the kitchen for dishes! Candles for the mood and paper towels for the inevitable!
To help with the mess I invest in good paper plates and plastic cutlery. It really helps.
Our family does a potluck, so it makes holidays easier. I find it easiet to tell everyone what I am cooking and let them decide what to bring. If extras come, they can bring a dish, drinks, paper goods.. . Whatever without my stressing over planning each dish.
My plan is to very organized. Also, I start early and mot wait until the last minute to plan things.
We’re going to free up space by staying at a hotel.
I make a list of all the loved ones that are attending. Make a list of what I’m going to serve. Next the list of what I need for the dishes I will be serving, Them head on down to publix. Oops I forgot to mention the cleaning supplies for my pre holiday cleaning. Use my coupons to get the best deals. Publix is the only place I shop anymore. Go home put groceries up. Put on some music and clean while I’m dancing. I love the holidays the happiness and good spirits make my year regardless on how it went since January 1st.
I make a list of all the loved ones that are attending. Make a list of what I’m going to serve. Next the list of what I need for the dishes I will be serving, Them head on down to publix. Oops I forgot to mention the cleaning supplies for my pre holiday cleaning. Use my coupons to get the best deals. Publix is the only place I shop anymore. Go home put groceries up. Put on some music and clean while I’m dancing. I love the holidays the happiness and good spirits make my year regardless on how it went since January 1st.
Making checklists so that nothing slips through the cracks and gets overlooked. Also doing as much ahead of time as possible.
Try to do as much as possible early. Make lists of everything I need to do and purchase. Cross off items as I get things done.
Clean, eat, drink and be merry. Cleaners food and wine from Publix of course.
Cook on Wednesday and go out for dinner on Wed night and then relax for the evening in front of our traditional Thanksgiving Eve movie.
I enjoy the madness,that”s part of the holidays.
Not doing thanksgiving at my house this year. Yay! I get a break
Staying organized and planning in advance!
I prepare as much food as possible in advance and put it in the freezer. I also deep clean room by room starting a few weeks before guests arrive.
Hosting smaller gatherings helps with the number of people. I’m planning on two smaller parties on consecutive days this year. Easier on me so I get a chance to enjoy the party a little.
We will bring out an extra table to accommodate everyone. Other than that, just making sure to have plenty of ziplock baggies and foil pans to send leftovers home with people 🙂
We don’t have extra people during the holidays as all of our families live in different states.
Get my list out, make several copy of, circle jobs to breakdown the list, ……that way I can stay on a schedule…….start shopping and deep cleaning, than a week before I start working on recipes, setting then up in Ziploc bags then placing all in larger bags. This way when I’m putting everything together, no trips to Publix to get last minute forgotten cream of chicken….haha, lesson learned several year ago
No plan. Just winging it!
Just go with the flow as long as my pumpkin pies from scratch is ready
Always prepare everything early
Just keep things clean and tidy on a daily basis so it doesn’t accumulate! That way if someone shows up it’s not a big deal and you can handle any extra little things quickly.
Always organized and follow the plan
Cleaning and cooking and more cleaning and cooking!!!!
My plan is to stay relaxed and enjoy my time with family and don’t stress the little things . And make sure I check my list at the store so I don’t forget anything. I always make lists but never look at them at the store , my husband gets annoyed by that , but he’s used to it
I always cook more than enough, have my fold up chairs and table handy, and be ready to welcome them.
There is always plenty of food in case extra guests show up. We can set up an extra table and chairs. The more the merrier!
I do as much as I can ahead of time and I have lists for everything. I stick to my ‘schedule’ as close as possible and it seems to work-we always have a great time.
Special table configuration gets everyone together…not fancy, but what it’s all about!
I make a trip to Publix the day before for easy breakfast items from the bakery, plus some fruit, and great coffee of course!
Honestly, I don’t even stress about it, just go with the flow. I want to enjoy the holidays too!
I will make a list of “to dos” to try to stay ahead of the craziness and then delegate as needed! Plan ahead, plan ahead!
I keep things simple, from menu to decorations to guest lists.
I try to be well rested and remain calm.
I keep the guest room ready and always have extra food on hand for the unexpected guest.
Plan ahead and keep things simple. Most important thing is happy guests.
No plan needed. We’re going camping and ordering our meal from Publix 🙂 I highly suggest it!
I plan on using Ziploc for leftovers and Scrubbing Bubbles for the toilet. I love those brands under SC Johnson!
We have no plan! Just lots of food and ready for a great day! I think people need to have a plan in case WE stop by! haha!
We will be the ones traveling. I hope our”host family” is ready for the 4 of us!
Everyone in the family has a list to complete. After that, its Family,Food & Football 🙂
We took the easy road this year and let somebody else do the holidays at their house.
I do not have to plan much as my mom cooks every year so we just go over there and hang out!
My plan is to stuff them with food to keep them happy 😉
Give everyone something to do to keep them busy and out of your way.
We all live within 25 miles of each other, so no worrying about overnight guests. Everyone has their “special” food items that they bring, so the preparing is much easier. I usually prepare the main course.
Cook a little extra and try to manage all the stress.
Well..I do it all!
But, I enjoy.
Make desserts ahead. And, several othe things the day or two days before..all chopping done. Do as much as possible before. Get up early to start.
It’s all timed out with times therefore usually I do okay.
Planning is key. I got my turkey las Saturday and tomorrow trip to get all my fresh produce and fruit.
I try to make more food for Thanksgiving than we will need. (I can eat leftovers) . For Christmas I buy some small gifts or bake extra cookies to give as gifts. I also try to take time to enjoy this season as much as possible.
Keep it simple and have lots of good food!
I try to focus on one thing at a time, this seems to keep me calm and able to accomplish all that needs to be done.
Will have plenty of food on hand to accommodate unexpected guests!
Start cooking early and clean up along the way!
the ‘grandkids’ bedroom becomes the guest room. I stock the bathroom with items that I know they will need.
I tend to be the planner in our family, so I tend to plan ahead and have extras on hand for that last minute present or guest. I have several Christmas parties to attend plus birthday parties to plan/attend this holiday season. I’d be lost without my calendar and notes on my Iphone! I keep my Christmas shopping list and grocery shopping list updated (for items outside Publix) as I purchase items.
The important thing is making sure the place is clean, and that there are multiple options for entertainment after dinner.
I just keep plenty of chocolate on hand to counterbalance the familial insanity! :p
Take it one task at a time and try to remember to enjoy things!
We are keeping it pretty simple this year so their won’t be to many extra people. Just get as much grocery shopping done before hand so there is no rushing around.
I make lists of all the stuff we need to do and check them off when completed–it’s the only way to make sense of the holiday madness!
Stock up on extra food, quick meals & desserts!
I have many lists for everything.