For the first time in 18 months, we are loading up the family car and taking a multi-day trip out of state, just for fun! I love traveling, so much so, that I can pretty much block out the backseat bickering, the white-knuckle, rush-hour traffic through cities, and the crappy fast food while en-route to our destination.
The one thing I absolutely hate about traveling is walking in the door once we get home. Everyone is hungry, tired, and weighted down with (at least one) suitcase of dirty clothes.
Over the years, I have found a few ways to lessen the letdown that inevitably hits when you walk through the door.
5 Ways to Prepare Your House for Vacation
1.) Laundry
Wash, dry, and put away all laundry before leaving. Believe me, you want to walk into empty laundry baskets.
2.) Beds
On that note—put fresh sheets on all beds before you leave and make all of your beds.
3.) Refrigerator
Empty your fridge of anything that will be less than fresh by the time you return. While your cleaning out the refrigerator go ahead and put in a new box of baking soda.
4.) Dishes
Make sure all of the dishes are done, off the counter, and put away.
5.) Groceries
Order groceries to be delivered to your house within 45 minutes to 1 hour of your ETA.
Bonus: Make a meal ahead and pop it in the freezer for your first night back. Usually, I am tired of eating out by the time I get home and there’s no way I feel like cooking—make ahead freezer meal to the rescue!
This one probably goes without saying but also, Make sure you take the trash out! I have forgotten this a time or two and came home to stinky trash….not ideal!