Back to School Survival Guide: Staying Organised All the Way to Christmas (Yes, We Said It!)

It’s mid-September, and that means one of two things:

• You’re already two weeks into the new school year and wondering how the “back to school” stationery haul has disappeared so quickly.

• Or, for some parents and carers, you’re just about surviving the first week back and questioning whether the morning rush ever gets easier.

Either way, the new term always brings a mix of relief, chaos, and a mountain of laundry. And just as you’re getting used to the routine again, here we are mentioning… Christmas.

We know, we know—it’s far too early. But hear us out: the weeks between now and December are the busiest of the year. By getting ahead of the game, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re sipping mulled wine instead of frantically trying to find clean school socks.

So, here are our top tips for parents and carers on how to stay organised, keep your home in order, and make the run-up to Christmas as stress-free as possible (with a sprinkle of humour, because otherwise, we’d all cry).

1. Create a Family Command Centre

If the phrase “Where’s my PE kit?” makes you twitch, it’s time for a dedicated family station. This could be as simple as a pinboard, calendar, and a couple of storage boxes near the front door.

• Calendar: Note down PE days, after-school clubs, birthdays, and even those non-uniform days that always creep up on you.

• Storage: A labelled basket for each child can work wonders. School letters, homework, reading books—all in one place.

• Bonus tip: Keep spare pens, hair ties, and a roll of pound coins (school bake sale emergencies) at the ready.

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A command centre may not solve world peace, but it can stop at least one early-morning meltdown.

2. The Power of the Weekly Reset

Sundays aren’t just for roast dinners—they’re for survival planning. A weekly reset saves you from the dreaded Monday scramble.

Here’s what it looks like:

• Uniforms washed, ironed, and ready. (Or at least clean-ish and not still in the bottom of the wash basket.)

• School bags packed. Homework checked, reading books back in place, lunchboxes located and—ideally—not containing a half-eaten sandwich from last term.

• Household tidy-up. A quick vacuum, bathroom reset, and a clear kitchen counter go a long way in setting the tone for the week.

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It doesn’t need to be perfect—just enough so you start Monday on the front foot instead of tripping over last week’s chaos.

3. Embrace the 15-Minute Blitz

Forget the all-day cleaning marathon. Life’s too busy for that. Instead, use the power of the 15-minute blitz.

Here’s how it works:

1. Set a timer for 15 minutes.

2. Get the whole family involved. (Yes, even the kids. Especially the kids.)

3. Focus on one area—living room, bedrooms, or the dreaded hallway clutter.

   
   

You’ll be amazed at how much you can achieve in such a short time. It’s a simple way to keep the house feeling under control without dedicating your entire evening to it.

4. Start a Secret Christmas Stash 🎄

Yes, it’s early. But imagine this: it’s December, and while other parents are panic-buying novelty socks and overpriced chocolates, you’re sitting back smugly because you planned ahead.

• Pick up small gifts as you go.

• Keep wrapping paper, tape, and tags in one box.

• Store everything out of sight (top of the wardrobe, under the bed, or in the loft—just remember where you put it!).

Future-you will be eternally grateful. Plus, it spreads the cost and stress instead of cramming it all into the final three weeks of the year.

5. Declutter Before the December Deluge

We all know Christmas comes with stuff. New toys, clothes, books, and gadgets will make their way into your home. Get ahead by decluttering now.

• Donate clothes your children have already outgrown (spoiler: they’ll grow out of this year’s uniforms by Easter anyway).

• Pass on toys that don’t get played with.

• Recycle the mystery plastic pieces that clearly belong to something long since broken.

Less clutter now means less chaos when Santa delivers a fresh wave of “essentials.”

6. Outsource Where You Can (Hint: That’s Where We Come In)

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to do it all yourself. Between school runs, after-school clubs, meal planning, and Christmas prep, there are only so many hours in the day.

This is where outsourcing can be a game-changer:

• Cleaning services: Regular cleans or one-off deep cleans can take a huge weight off your shoulders.

• Gardening and outdoor jobs: Save yourself from braving the September drizzle.

• Holiday home management: For those juggling extra properties, let us handle the details.

At Elliotts Cleaning and Property Services, we’re here to keep your house running smoothly—so you can focus on the things that matter (like remembering if it’s fancy-dress day or just a normal Wednesday).

7. Don’t Forget to Look After Yourself

Finally, a reminder: being organised is great, but it doesn’t mean running yourself into the ground. September to December is a marathon, not a sprint.

• Schedule downtime, even if it’s just 20 minutes with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

• Share the load with partners, older kids, or supportive friends.

• Remember that “good enough” is perfectly fine—your children won’t remember spotless floors, but they will remember you being present.

Final Thoughts

So yes, it’s only September. But by getting into good habits now, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress later. Between school routines, autumn colds, and the countdown to Christmas, a little organisation goes a long way.

And remember—if the thought of juggling it all makes you want to crawl under a pile of laundry, we’re only a phone call away. From domestic cleaning to property services, we’re here to keep your home organised, sparkling, and ready for whatever the school year (and Christmas) throws at it.

👉 Here’s to a smoother, calmer, and cleaner run-up to the festive season. You’ve got this!