Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel weeks of the year, and whether you’re flying across the country or driving a few hours to see family, the rush to pack and get out the door can make it easy to forget about your home. Taking a little time to clean, organize, and store a few things before you leave can make your return so much more relaxing. Instead of walking into a mess after days away, you’ll come back to a calm, fresh space that helps ease the transition back into your routine.
Start with your kitchen, it’s the easiest place for odors and messes to build up while you’re gone. Toss out leftovers, clean out anything in the fridge that may spoil, and empty the trash so nothing sits and starts to smell. Wiping down countertops, rinsing the sink, and emptying the trash ensures you won’t return to dried-on food or unexpected insects. Even if you only have a few minutes, hitting these key areas makes a huge difference.
Your living room and common spaces should be next on your list. These areas collect clutter quickly: mail, jackets, shopping bags, and anything that gets dropped on the couch or coffee table. Put things back where they belong, sort out the coat closet, and clear the old mail. If you have fall décor or seasonal pieces that you won’t use after Thanksgiving, if you have time consider storing them before you leave in your storage unit
Bedrooms and bathrooms benefit from a quick reset as well. Make your bed so it’s inviting when you return, gather any laundry into a hamper, and avoid leaving dirty towels laying around. In the bathroom, wash out the gunk and wipe away the sink tops. Completing tasks like these gives you a refreshing environment when you return home.
If you’ll be away for more than a few days, think about what items you should store for safekeeping. This includes valuables, important paperwork, or anything you might want to hide. Some people also like to store seasonal gear or things they don’t want cluttering up their home over Thanksgiving break. A small storage unit can be especially helpful during travel-heavy months, giving you the peace of mind that your belongings stay clean, protected, and out of the way.
Before you lock up and head out, do one final walkthrough to check windows are locked, the stove is off, and electronics are unplugged. Water your plants one last time and set the thermostat to an energy efficient temperature to conserve electricity as the days get colder while you’re gone.
Traveling for Thanksgiving should feel warm and stress-free. With just a little TLC right before your trip, you can enjoy the Thanksgiving dinner away from home without having to worry!