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The holidays are when families come together to celebrate and have fun. It is also a time when the stresses of being a homeowner can become overwhelming. Between cooking, cleaning, decorating, and entertaining guests, it's hard not to feel like you're on an endless loop.

That said, there are always lessons learned that we carry forward into the next holiday season- new experiences that make us better homeowners. Here are five things that I learned from being a homeowner during the holidays:

1) Staying Organized Maintains Sanity

Things can get chaotic when hosting guests or traveling for the holidays. Being organized is like having the superpower to be able to clean up in a snap, answer your door without checking who it is, and ensure all of your baked goods are made before guests arrive. Planning makes a difference, whether it's keeping track of guest lists or putting simple labels on baking dishes so you know what's in them. Being organized also means having a clean space to keep your guests comfortable and happy. A cluttered home doesn't convey the same impression as one that is neat and tidy. Organization leads to a cohesive decorating scheme. It's essential for you too because it requires less time to decorate and clean up.

2) Technology Makes Life Easier

While many people think mobile devices make life harder, they couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, nobody wants their kids scrolling social media at the family Christmas Party, but that’s on parents to do a better job teaching kids about screen time usage! All things considered, mobile devices are a godsend come November. For instance, one can use a cheer map to find holiday lights in your neighborhood. That way, families can see which neighbors have gone to the trouble of setting up lights without the hassle of driving around the neighborhood.

3) Practical Gifts Are Best

It isn't easy to find a gift for the person who has everything. It's even harder when you're not an expert on their interests or hobbies. For example, if your mother loves golfing, a membership to a local course may be a practical gift that she'll use. Other things like tickets to see her favorite opera singer or concert tickets are also great gifts, but it would be ideal to have some knowledge of her interests, so you can get them something they'll enjoy. Therefore, if you know what they like, get them something related to their interest. However, if you're not sure about what your gift recipient would like, an alternative option is getting them a gift card or giving the money so they can buy themselves something practical or fun.

4) Entertaining Friends is the Best Way to Bond

You don't have to wait until your guests arrive to bond with them. Participating in other activities that encourage socializing is a great way to get to know people better. For example, inviting friends over for a Sunday brunch is less formal than hosting a dinner party so you can all chat without worrying about being on your best behavior. You may also consider organizing an activity that everyone in the group enjoys participating in, like hosting a game night or attending one together.

5) Holiday Dinners are Special for Everyone

The holidays are an extraordinary time of the year. It is a time when families come together to celebrate and have fun. It is also a time when the stresses of being a homeowner can become overwhelming. Between cooking, cleaning, decorating, and entertaining guests, it's hard not to feel like the holidays are a time when you have to go above and beyond. Don't put pressure on yourself to be perfect, instead allow yourself the opportunity to take care of your loved ones and enjoy spending quality time with them.

In summary, these are lessons that can help you feel less stressed during the holidays. Remember to enjoy yourself and don't worry about small things like making mistakes or having a few too many cocktails; your guests won't remember those moments as much as how happy they were at your party.