13 Things Every Family Should Do in November to Stay Organized

November is the perfect time to get organized before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season begins. By taking a few simple steps now, families can create a smoother and more enjoyable month ahead. Whether it’s preparing for winter weather, planning meals, or organizing your home, getting things in order early can reduce stress and help you stay on track. This guide offers practical tips that will help your family stay organized and make the most of this busy month.

This post may contain affiliate links, which helps keep this content free. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Plan Holiday Meals and Shopping Lists

November is the perfect time to start planning holiday meals. Taking the time to sit down and plan your menu ahead of time can save you a lot of stress later on, especially as the holidays tend to get busy. By organizing your meals in advance, you can map out what dishes you’ll be serving and create a shopping list with all the ingredients you need. This helps you avoid last-minute trips to the grocery store, ensuring that you have everything ready when the time comes. Planning early also allows you to order any special items you might need ahead of time, ensuring that nothing is forgotten or out of stock when you need it most.

Additionally, organizing your meals early allows you to try out new recipes without the pressure of rushing. You can even take the time to prep in advance, chopping vegetables, marinating meats, or baking treats ahead of time. This will make the actual cooking process on the big day more relaxed and manageable. By breaking down tasks like prepping ingredients, cooking, and even setting the table in advance, you can stay ahead of the game and enjoy a smoother holiday experience. This approach allows you to fully enjoy the meals and spend quality time with your loved ones without feeling overwhelmed by last-minute tasks.

Declutter Common Areas

As the weather cools down and the holiday season approaches, families tend to spend more time indoors. November is the perfect time to tackle common areas like the living room, kitchen, and entryway. Decluttering these spaces can create a more inviting and functional home as you prepare for holiday guests and activities. If you’re hosting family gatherings or holiday meals, clearing out unnecessary clutter will make your space feel more organized and welcoming. Set aside a day or weekend to go through areas that tend to collect extra items, from old magazines to unused kitchen gadgets. By focusing on high-traffic areas, you can make a big impact on your home’s overall feel.

Once you’ve cleared out unnecessary items, consider organizing the remaining possessions into labeled storage bins or shelves. This will help keep your home tidy as you prepare for the influx of holiday decor, gifts, and supplies. For example, organize your entryway by creating a designated spot for coats, shoes, and bags. In the living room, arrange blankets and pillows neatly and create a dedicated area for family games or holiday movies. This not only frees up physical space but also helps to clear mental clutter, giving you a more peaceful environment to enjoy as a family.

Create a Holiday Budget

The holidays can bring extra expenses, and organizing your finances early can help you stay on track. November is the ideal time to create a holiday budget, allowing you to plan for gifts, meals, decorations, and travel expenses. By setting a realistic budget for each category, you can prevent overspending and avoid financial stress later on. Tracking your expenses as you go also allows you to see where you might be able to cut back, like reducing the number of gifts or choosing less expensive holiday decor. With the right plan in place, you can enjoy the festivities without worrying about your finances.

Additionally, having a holiday budget in place helps you manage your savings for the season. If you know how much you’ll need for gifts and other holiday-related expenses, you can make adjustments to your monthly spending now to ensure you’re prepared. A budget gives you the flexibility to enjoy the holidays without the burden of debt or overspending. By being mindful of your financial goals in November, you can enter December feeling confident and organized.

Prepare Your Home for Winter

As the temperature drops, it’s important to make sure your home is ready for the colder months. November is a great time to inspect your home for drafts, leaks, and insulation issues that could lead to higher energy bills. Check your windows and doors for gaps, and seal them to prevent heat from escaping. Additionally, cleaning out your gutters before the first snowfall can prevent water damage and ensure that everything runs smoothly through the winter months. If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s clean and ready for use. A little maintenance now can save you both time and money during the coldest months.

In addition to weatherproofing your home, this is a great time to organize winter supplies. Store away any seasonal outdoor furniture or garden tools that are no longer in use, and bring out your winter gear, like coats, gloves, and scarves. By organizing your garage, closets, or storage areas, you can make it easier to access everything you need when the temperatures dip. Getting your home prepared for winter not only keeps it cozy but also ensures that you won’t face any unexpected issues during the colder months.

Tidy Up Your Family Calendar

The month of November is often a busy one, with Thanksgiving plans, school events, and even early holiday activities. One of the best ways to stay organized is by tidying up your family calendar. Take some time to review everyone’s schedules, kids’ school events, work commitments, and any social gatherings. Having a visual overview of the month can help you plan and avoid scheduling conflicts. If you don’t already use a shared calendar, consider using a digital app or a physical family calendar to keep track of everyone’s activities. Being aware of upcoming events allows you to plan your time more effectively and reduce stress throughout the month.

In addition to scheduling, consider blocking out time for important tasks like grocery shopping, gift shopping, or holiday preparation. Make sure to include self-care time or breaks to recharge, especially if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all the extra activities. By keeping your calendar organized, you can create a balanced, well-structured month that helps you stay on top of everything without feeling scattered. This level of organization allows you to spend more quality time with family and less time stressing over logistics.

Declutter and Organize Kids’ Playrooms and Bedrooms

With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a great time to go through your children’s playrooms and bedrooms to organize their toys, clothes, and books. Start by sorting through toys to identify any that are broken, unused, or outgrown. Donate items in good condition, and make sure to store away anything that is no longer age-appropriate. This helps clear up space for new gifts that may come during the holiday season. By keeping their rooms neat and organized, children can find what they need more easily, and you can avoid clutter taking over the rest of the house.

In addition to toys, take time to evaluate their clothing. Make sure their wardrobe is ready for the colder months by pulling out winter clothes, checking for missing items like gloves or hats, and donating any clothes that no longer fit. If there are holiday-themed clothes or pajamas, keep them accessible so they can be enjoyed throughout the season. By organizing both the playroom and their bedrooms, you’ll create a more functional space for your kids and help maintain a tidier home overall.

Set a Family Cleaning Schedule

The holidays often bring a lot of extra foot traffic into the home. To prevent your home from becoming chaotic with all the extra visitors and events, consider setting up a family cleaning schedule in November. Have each family member take responsibility for certain tasks like vacuuming, dusting, or cleaning the bathroom. Breaking down cleaning into manageable chunks helps avoid the overwhelming task of cleaning the entire house at once. If everyone pitches in, it becomes a much easier job, and everyone stays involved in keeping the home tidy.

In addition to daily or weekly tasks, schedule a deep clean for areas like the kitchen and living room. These spaces tend to get the most use during family gatherings and could benefit from some extra attention. By tackling regular cleaning tasks in advance, you’ll feel prepared to host guests without scrambling to tidy up at the last minute. This organized approach also helps keep the home in order as the holidays get closer and events begin to pick up.

Organize Holiday Decorations

November marks the start of the holiday season, which means it’s time to think about your decorations. Take a day to pull out your holiday decor from storage and organize it. Sort through everything to make sure all items are in good condition and replace any worn-out decorations. By decluttering and organizing your holiday decor, you’ll be able to enjoy the season without stress. You can set up a dedicated storage system, like labeled bins or bags, to make it easier to pack away decorations after the season ends.

As you organize your decorations, it’s also a good idea to plan where you’ll display them. Decide where to place your holiday tree, arrange the mantel for stockings, and think about any other spots that will need festive touches. Having a plan ahead of time will make decorating quicker and more enjoyable. By staying organized with your holiday decorations, you ensure that everything is ready for the season’s festivities, and you can easily transition from one holiday to the next.

Prepare Your Emergency Kits for Winter

As the weather grows colder, it’s important to ensure that your family is prepared for any emergencies that might arise. Take the time in November to check and update your emergency kits, both at home and in your car. Make sure you have essential items like flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and blankets. If you live in an area prone to snow or power outages, consider adding extra items like a portable heater, bottled water, or non-perishable food. This can provide peace of mind knowing you have everything you need in case of an unexpected event.

For your car, make sure to pack an emergency kit with items like a snow shovel, ice scraper, and extra warm clothing. It’s also a good idea to keep your gas tank at least half full during the winter months to avoid freezing issues with your gas line. Ensuring that your emergency kits are properly stocked will help you feel more confident and ready for any weather-related challenges that may arise throughout the colder months.

Update Your Family’s Calendar with Holiday Events

As the holidays approach, it’s essential to get a head start on organizing your family’s calendar. November is a good time to sit down and review important upcoming events, from Thanksgiving dinners to school performances and holiday parties. Ensure that every family member’s schedule is updated so that nothing overlaps or gets forgotten. This also allows you to plan your time more effectively, making sure you leave room for both family gatherings and personal downtime.

It’s also helpful to use a shared digital calendar or a family bulletin board to keep track of everyone’s commitments. With so many events happening during the holiday season, having a central place for reminders helps keep things organized. This also gives you time to manage any conflicts or to schedule travel arrangements early, making the entire season run smoothly. By taking a proactive approach to your calendar in November, you can make sure that everyone is prepared and that no important events slip through the cracks.

Organize Your Digital Devices and Files

In today’s digital world, many of us spend a lot of time on our phones, computers, and tablets. November is a great time to clean up your digital devices and files. Take some time to go through your phone’s photos, delete duplicates, and organize important documents into folders. This not only reduces digital clutter but can also help you locate important files faster when needed. You can even back up essential files and photos to a cloud service, providing an extra layer of protection against unexpected data loss.

Additionally, consider updating passwords and organizing apps on your devices. This can make it easier to manage your online life and reduce time spent searching for apps or remembering login credentials. For families with multiple devices, setting up a family cloud account or shared folder can also help keep track of photos, videos, and documents that everyone may need. By spending some time decluttering your digital space, you can feel more organized and ready for the demands of the holiday season.

Set Up a Family Volunteer Schedule

November is a wonderful month to focus on giving back, especially with the holidays around the corner. As a family, set aside time to volunteer together for a cause that is meaningful to you. Whether it’s helping at a local food bank, organizing a charity drive, or volunteering at a soup kitchen, getting involved in community service not only helps others but can also strengthen family bonds. You can schedule volunteer days on your family calendar, ensuring that everyone can participate and contribute.

Volunteering as a family also teaches valuable lessons about gratitude, kindness, and empathy. It allows everyone to make a positive impact on their community while creating lasting memories. If you have children, it’s a great opportunity to model how important it is to give back. By organizing a family volunteer schedule in advance, you can ensure that you all participate in spreading holiday cheer and making a difference this season.

Review Family Health and Wellness Plans

Before the holidays bring on all the indulgence and potential stress, November is a good time to review your family’s health and wellness plans. Take a look at everyone’s exercise routines and check in on any upcoming doctor appointments, vaccinations, or health screenings. If there are any medical concerns or treatments that need attention, make sure to schedule appointments ahead of time to avoid holiday rushes. Also, consider reviewing dietary habits and adjusting them to ensure everyone stays healthy as the colder months set in.

In addition to physical health, it’s essential to check in on mental health. As the holidays can be both joyful and stressful, setting up strategies for managing stress, such as mindfulness practices, regular family walks, or simply planning relaxation time, can benefit everyone. November is a great time to assess these needs, adjust routines, and ensure that you’re prioritizing health and well-being as you head into a busy holiday season.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.