8 Simple Projects to Do Over Holiday Break

Holiday break is that weird mix of “we’re off” and “everyone’s climbing the walls.” It’s the perfect time for quick projects that actually make the house work better without eating the whole week. These are simple, low-cost things you can tackle in a day (or less) that you’ll appreciate long after the tree is down.

Create a real drop zone by the main door

Instead of letting coats and bags spread all over the house, use a day to create a real landing spot at the door you use most. That might mean hanging a few sturdy hooks, adding a shoe rack or boot tray, and putting a small basket or bowl there for keys and mail.

You don’t need a full mudroom setup. Just give every person one hook and one shoe spot. Once that’s in place, you’ll spend less time asking, “Where are your shoes?” and more time actually getting out the door on time when school and work start back up.

Do a quick pantry reset so you can actually see what you have

Pick one afternoon to pull everything out of your pantry or main food cabinet. Toss expired items, donate unopened extras you know you won’t use, and wipe shelves as you go. Group things in a way that makes sense for your family—snacks together, baking items in one spot, canned goods in another.

You don’t need matching bins for this to work. Even just using old boxes or baskets to corral categories helps. Afterward, meal planning in January gets easier because you’re not buying duplicates of things buried in the back.

Refresh one bathroom with tiny changes

You don’t have to remodel to make a bathroom feel better. Choose one bathroom and focus on simple upgrades: swap out a stained shower curtain, replace the bath mat, and hang a fresh hand towel. Take ten minutes to declutter the counter and under-sink area.

If you can, add one small thing that feels “nice”—a pump soap that smells good, a basket for extra toilet paper, or a simple piece of art. It’s a small project that makes every day feel less chaotic, especially when everyone’s rushing in the morning again.

Hang the photos you’ve been meaning to print

Holiday break is a great time to finally get pictures off your phone and onto the walls. Order prints or use what you already have, then pick one wall, hallway, or stair area for a small gallery.

Lay frames out on the floor first to decide your layout, then hang them with simple picture hooks or removable strips if you’re nervous about holes. Having real family photos on the wall makes the house feel more personal and “finished” without spending a lot.

Tackle one annoying kitchen cabinet or drawer

Instead of trying to reorganize the whole kitchen, pick the one cabinet or drawer that annoys you the most—maybe the Tupperware black hole, the spice cabinet, or the baking drawer.

Empty it completely, wipe it out, and only put back what you actually use. Use small boxes, extra containers, or dividers you already have to separate things. Fixing that one hot spot makes daily cooking smoother and gives you a quick win without turning into an all-day project.

Set up a simple charging station for devices

Holiday break is often when new devices show up and old cords multiply. Pick one spot—counter corner, entry table, or shelf—and make it the charging zone. Add a small power strip, label cords if you want, and clear that area of everything else.

Tell everyone, “Phones, tablets, and earbuds charge here.” It keeps cords from spreading into every room, makes it easier to find things when you’re heading out the door, and helps you avoid late-night “Where’s my charger?” drama.

Do a quick closet cleanout for the season you’re in

Focus on current-season clothes only. In your or your kids’ closets, pull out anything obviously too small, worn out, or uncomfortable that nobody ever reaches for. Bag up donations and toss what’s truly done.

You don’t have to create a capsule wardrobe. Just getting rid of the obvious “no’s” makes it easier to see what you actually wear. It also shows you what you don’t need to buy in January sales, which is quietly good for the budget.

Make a simple “everyday cleaning” basket

Instead of cleaning supplies scattered under three sinks, make one grab-and-go basket with your basics: all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner or vinegar mix, microfiber cloths, dusting cloth, and maybe a sponge or scrub brush.

Store it in a central spot—hall closet, laundry room, or under the kitchen sink. When you want to do a quick reset, you just grab the basket and move room to room. It sounds small, but not having to hunt for cleaners makes it way more likely that you’ll actually use a quiet afternoon to knock out a few things.