This post is sponsored by SC Johnson. All comments and opinions are my own.
Prepping for the holidays is really a ton of work. Most of us don’t wear capes so to maintain our sanity, asking for help is a must!
When my boys were little, just getting folks to help me watch them while I did most of the work was super helpful. Now that they are older, they are able to reduce my workload and help me in all kinds of ways.
When I am making my holiday to-do list, I also make one for each boy. I figure we are entertaining as a family so everyone might as well split the work! My boys are typically very willing to help though they prefer some chores over others.
I don’t usually require them to do the cooking so their jobs are usually done before guests arrive. They are great about helping me clean and get the house ready. Jake is a master window cleaner. He just needs a bottle of Windex® Original Glass Cleaner and a roll of paper towels and he can have all my windows and mirrors looking great in a flash.
Jeb is usually in charge of trash before and during our dinner.
I also found that labeling trash bins cuts down on messes when there is a large group. That way folks know where to place the various items once they are done. 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. You can stock up on Drano® Max Gel and Drano® Dual Force® Foamer with the 2/$8 sale. It might not be a bad idea to grab some and be prepared!
Drano® Max Gel 32 oz or Drano® Dual Force® Foamer 17 oz, 2/$8
Don’t forget, you can enjoy great savings and get a nice perk when you stock up at Publix! Simply pick up your favorite SC Johnson products in preparation for your holiday fun and get a gift card to boot. You’ll earn a $5 gift card when you purchase any four participating SC Johnson products from 10/1 – 11/30.
Getting your gift card is very simple. All it takes it three easy steps!
- Purchase FOUR participating products in a single transaction at Publix.
- Snap a photo of your receipt.
- Submit your photo to happythanksgathering.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 mandatory task below (answering my question). You can gain additional entries by completing any of the other options as well! View the Giveaway & Sweepstakes Rules.
- How will you prepare for all the upcoming holiday chaos? Do you assign tasks to your family and/or friends?
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I’m getting up there in years, so letting some of the responsibility fall to the younger members of the family is becoming a necessity. I am beginning to learn that I can no longer do it all by myself. Relinquishing control of everything isn’t something that I find easy, but this year I am determined to try & relax the reigns a little bit!
I bought 4 Ziploc boxes yesterday, used 2 of the $1/2 coupons, and submitted my receipt. Already got the email this morning that my receipt has been verified & I will get the $5.00 GC! That means that I paid $0.25 each for Ziploc bags! SWEET!
I usually go to someone’s house & bring a dessert.
I try to get my husband to help but he seens to not be in the hurry I am!
I just start early and make sure have fun instead of stressing!
Everyone pitches in. Its really nice.
take dessert to someone’s house
If I’m having a lot of family over, I “assign” them a dish to bring, such as a vegetable, dessert, bread, etc. Not specifically what to bring but what TYPE of dish to bring. I like the hodgepodge of items we get!
Everyone pitches in
Choo Choo! All aboard the Cleanup Express!!!
We are remodeling our house so Christmas Eve will not be celebrated at our house this year so that makes it a little easier but in a house of 5 boys (plus husband and a small farm) its up to me to arrange everything but I love doing it. It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Christmas chaos!
I make lists, lots of lists, so that I don’t forget to do anything. And I just take things one day at a time. At the end of the day, just being with friends and family is all that matters, and if something isn’t done perfectly or on time, so be it!
I print out the chores I need help with, then cut the chores in strips. Fold the strips and put in a container and all family members, friends, etc. reach into the container and pull out one strip and that is their chore. They can trade with others as long as the job(s) get done. You could award a prize on one of the strips to make it more exciting.
Absolutely, every one in the family are assigned a task during the Holidays, of course I’m the one with the most!!!!!
My husband shares in the house cleaning duties to get ready
As an older member of our family I ask for a lot of help from friends, family, etc. I break it down into categories, setting the table, help with the cooking, the cleanup, and even volunteers to walk & feed my pets (2 dogs and 1 cat). Then when it’s over we call all relax at the same time.
Every family are assigned their duty on the holiday for cleaning the house, shopping , and cooking. For saving time, I usually plan ahead and make list to follow it.
I just start early and make sure we all have fun instead of stressing!
I ask my three daughter in laws to bring dessert.
I cook the turkey, cut the potatoes, cook the vegetables and more. Luckily my daughter will give me a break on making the salad, setting the table, and do the dishes.
I prepare by organizing my menu, making lists and of course, delegate a few tasks to my helpers!
I always followed the I heart Publix sales promotion to prepare the holiday season.
Each of my family is assigned by me to do his or her cleaning job.
We normally go to the homes of family and friends. I always try to pitch in and help by bringing a dish, helping to put away/ organize the leftover and helping them to clean and get everything back to normal!
We have family and friends over our house for Thanksgiving every year. We have gotten into a routine of things we do every year.
The whole family helps clean and we all make the meal together.
I have a schedule of chores tht need to be and by whom.
Delegate! My kids can set a fine table, and are a good team at dishwashing.
I actually find Thanksgiving an easy meal to make because I serve few complicated dishes and more plain things (like baked sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli instead of casseroles). Or I go to someone else’s house and bring Waldorf salad.
Don’t ask
Elizabeth, I always look for your comments, always makes me laugh.
PS. I always feels like I got to know you cause you was there on my 1st Twitter party……..lol
We have a new baby in the family so we are going to my mom’s house and letting the parents of the new addition have this year off from any responsibilities. Which means that we will pick up the slack as a family. I am going up the day before with my oldest daughter to help clean, cook and set up, as we are also celebrating my youngest 3rd birthday. Going to be so much fun with family, we have so much to be Thankful for!!
It is just going to be us this holiday season so we’re not going to stress over anything!
Everyone helps-friends always bring food.
My husband and I live in Florida, while our family members live in Michigan. About the only chaos we exp
My husband and I live in Florida, while our family members live in Michigan. About the only chaos we experience is putting up outside Decorations, which is mild chaos.
Always helps going to some else’s house and just bring a side!
My list is so helpful to me, it may only be short list like to go ahead get cranberry sauce done, always makes extra.
I stocked up on Ziploc containers on sale with coupons at Publix,then took advantage of the $5 offer all thanks to Michelle at I Heart Publix
My wife divides the responsibilities
Oh. My endless lists
Potluck style and rotate who hosts
I prepare for the holiday chaos by slowly preparing ahead of time instead of all at once. It makes it less stressful. I also have my husband run errands and help me out with things as well as have the kids do little chores around the house.
I like to make lists and dole out various chores so that everything gets done in a timely manner.
I make lists but they usually get thrown out the window at the first sign of crazy! Every year I say I’ll be more prepared but it just never happens. =)
I make a list for my husband and he always gets everything done.
We’re going to the beach on vacation instead.
I prepare for all the upcoming holiday chaos by getting organized, making a lot of lists and starting early on shopping, cooking, baking, etc. I’m definitely not afraid to ask for help either.
I don’t stress out on things anymore……life is too short….. just go with the flow of things and laugh at things that don’t turn out perfect.
Everyone has some small job to do and usually guess ask “What can I bring” so you assign items and do the major items myself. Also have lots of wine on hand””””””’
I find that making lists and delegating really works at my house.
Hopefully nothing, if I can get away with it. I want to skip it. I’m tired!
I survive the chaos by going over my friend’s house. I bring lots of good food and everyone helps out.
Drano once a month and before any holidays
I have my kids sweep and vacuum and take out the trash
We will try to plan ahead as much as possible.
Everyone pitches in and does a little to make things happen.
Everyone helps out and everything gets done.
My husband and I divvy up the chores and get it all done – whoever gets to it first. Love it!
I plan everything in advance and everyone in my family has jobs to do.
Our Thanksgiving is going to be a small one this year so not to much holiday chaos is expected.
Everyone pitches in the clean-up, except for the cook!
Everyone pitches in to clean up, except the cook!
I usually end up doing all of the chores and cooking while my husband keeps our little ones occupied 🙂
I am going to minimize the chaos, get the kids to help, and scale back a bit on the decorating this year.
We’re traveling for work right up to the holidays. Will lay low this season.
I do everything ahead of time myself. I enlist the help of my siblings when it is close to the big event.
It’s just my husband and I, however, we work together to get the house clean. We plan ahead for if we’re having company and prepare the house a few days in advance
I am ready now..lol
I prepare way in advance..well except for very last minute touches and fresh veggies.
the chaos begins 3 days before with lots of cooking.
Mom and I do pretty much everything for everyone.
I do it all myself, hubby has paws instead of fingers
Mu husband helps with anything needed!
We are not having anyone over our house this year, so we will share the work load without chaos.
chaos minimized by planning that started a month ago
I assign tasks to the kids but do most of the preparations myself.
My brother and sisters and I divide up the different chores to help my mom and dad out.
My boyfriend and I divide up the chores to make it easier.
make a to-do list
I try to get everyone involved in helping get ready, but, I tend to do the bulk of prepping.
I have them help with the outside decorations and I do everything else myself!
I end up doing pretty much everything but I enjoy it.
I somehow managed to escape the chaos. I don’t host the holiday meals, but usually bring a side dish and my appetite!
If it’s cooking for a get together then my daughters help. No one to help me clean the house though – grrr.
My sweety takes care of the yard and outside the house and he is the vacuum person in our house. I do the food prep and clean the bathrooms and the rest of the house. I try to do it every week but double up before the holidays and do a deeper cleaning.
We clean the house, decorate and when everyone comes over, they each bring a signature dish. Everyone helps with the clean up before they leave
Everybody pitches in and does their part.
My husband and I work as a team on the cleaning and decorating aspect. On Thanksgiving day, I assign my adult kids each a task in an attempt to put a hot meal on the table. My Mom always says grace.
Oh how I wish I could delegate! I actually do most of the cleaning and cooking by myself, but I start in advance to keep it manageable!
I work at Walgreens which never closes. So I work Thanksgiving so I don’t have to deal with the craziness. My husband will take the boys and as soon as I’m done with work I go eat at my mom’s house.
I plan ahead that way it doesn’t get too crazy. We don’t have any family close by so that that makes it simpler.
Everybody helps out with the cooking and cleaning.
My (adult) son and I split the cooking!
Get organized and make a list. Everyone tried to help!!!!
My husband puts the turkey on a smoker in the early morning so that is not occupying space in the oven. There is then space for all of the other dishes that need to be baked.
I’m a big fan of lists, so we make a big list of all the tasks and then whoever completes it, gets to cross it off!
Prep as much as possible and ask for help when I can.
Prepare in advance, we divide food dishes to different family members, remember it is suppose to be fun. Thanks!
Just try to keep up with clean and do prep ahead of time
I try to plan ahead but usually just wing it and get through it then take a day to relax once it’s all over!
We start with anything that can be done in the week leading up to the event (cleaning, prepping any food we can, ensuring we have the chairs and tables all out and ready). This way the day of the event, we don’t have so much to get ready
Everyone pitches in a little. Makes the workload less on all of us and we all get to enjoy the big day.
Cleaning the house, decorating for the holiday and stocking up on the great deals at Publix for our holiday feast.
Everyone gets one or two of the rooms in the house to make clean and then we all help cooking!
Everyone pitches in, so we don’t have a lot of chaos.
My husband runs a lot of the errands and does some of the grocery shopping if I get too busy. Usually we manage to keep it pretty calm around here.
I handle the inside and my husband handles the outside. We each get a kid to help, it works!
My daughter and I get ready for our guests by doing the cleaning together and start preparing our dinner the night before. Our yard is done by the man that does our yard every month and looks good for Thanksgiving Day.
Everyone has a job. That way no one has to be overwhelmed.
I clean and prepare the food with my daughter inside and my husband and 4 boys prepare the backyard to fry a turkey and we sit outside around a fire after we eat . We start the day before so we can get more done and have our food done earlier
I make daily lists so I don’t forget anything.
We share the responsibilities of cleaning, decorating and cooking.
I’m trying to make the most I can before hand and then try not to stress during the big day,
Hang a few lights. Put up the tree. Every so often, travel across the country to visit family.
I prepare first by getting the home in tip top cleaning condition. Then I purchase candles that give the smell that the holidays are near, gather my festive dishes and make a list of the foods to prepare. After the preparation is completed I love to spend and enjoy the time with family.
I do it all except decorate; actually i decorate but then the kids re-decorate ;o)
I assign chores and tasks to everyone. They all help.
We’ve gotten everything decluttered, so it’s mostly just a quick cleaning and we’re ready. For big dinners, everybody is assigned a dish.
My daughter helps me with all the baking, and the two boys decorate rooftop lights and haul the tree in!
Everyone has a job. We try to break each larger task into smaller ones.
We are lucky this year and are going to celebrate at a family member’s house. So I only have to make side dishes. My immediate family helps a little with decorating our house.
I assign tasks to everyone. Don’t forget the children. They love helping, and it makes them feel special to know you trust them to get something” important” done.
I like to include everyone in getting ready for Thanksgiving.
everyone helps clean and guests bring side dish
Everyone helps bring a dish for dinner
Yes, family members help out. My dad cooked for the Holidays for so many years, so he doesn’t have to do anything because of his current health. We all always click glasses for a toast though .
Yes, family members help out. My dad cooked for the Holidays for so many years, so he doesn’t have to do anything because of his current health. We all always click glasses for a toast though .
Husband usually keeps an eye on the trash and kids help with cleaning up dishes. Guests bring a side dish, as I do when it’s at their house.
I make lists for myself. I dont’ assign as that generally results in things not getting done 🙂
Everyone helps and is assigned a task. Also we check all bathroom toilets and sinks for slow drains or clogs.
Mom and me do it all.
Yes. Definetly. It makes life easier when you have lots of help from family.
I have definitely learned that the kids can be wonderful helpers. I used to be such a perfectionist, but I’ve learned to let that go and focus on what the holidays are really about!
Just stay organized and prepared. We definitely recruit family to help with the cooking.