October may be all about pumpkins and cozy sweaters, but it’s also the best time to set yourself up for a stress-free holiday season. While everyone else is waiting until November or December to scramble, you can use this time to get organized, shop early, and create space in your home for the season ahead.

Why Shop Early in October?

• Spread Out Spending – Buying little by little now helps you avoid one big bill later.
• More Time, Less Stress – With gifts tucked away and storage solutions already in place, you’ll have more time to enjoy holiday gatherings instead of running around last minute.
• Better Selection – By the time Black Friday rolls around, many of the most practical (and popular) items are sold out. Shopping in October means you get first pick.
  

Declutter Before the Holidays Hit

The holidays bring an influx of stuff: gifts, decorations, winter gear, and all the extras that accumulate this time of year. October is the perfect moment to:

• Declutter closets to make room for coats, boots, and guest belongings.
• Re-set your kitchen or pantry so you’re ready for holiday baking and entertaining.
• Streamline toy storage before new gifts arrive in December. If you’ve ever stepped on a Lego barefoot, you know why this matters.
  

Special Focus: Kids’ Toys & Games

If you have kids, you know how quickly toys, board games, and other playthings can take over the house. Doing a toy-reset in October gives you breathing room when the new gifts arrive. Here’s how, plus tools that make it easier:

• Donate what’s outgrown – Pull out toys and games your children no longer play with, or ones that are broken, and donate or recycle them.
• Rotate favorites – Instead of having everything out at once, store half and rotate in the others. It keeps things fresh without new purchases.
• Set clear storage zones – Bins, baskets, cubbies, shelves: make sure everything has a home so cleanup is easier.
• Shop solutions now so you’re ready: here are three products from my collection that help keep toy and game clutter under control, and make the holidays smoother:
  
  1. Large Mesh Zipper Pouch File Bags – Perfect for sorting games or puzzles so you can see what you have and grab it without knocking over everything else.
     
  2. The Container Store “Our Boxes” – A clear, stackable bin available in multiple sizes—perfect for storing and organizing any type of toy.
     
  3. 8 Cube Bookcase – A toy-storage shelf makes cleanup fast and visible.
     

Shop My Favorites for Holiday Organization

Here are a few items from my ShopMy collection. These are all things I trust to help tame the chaos leading up to the holidays.

👉 Shop the Smart Move Organizing Collection

• Hanging Double Sided Gift Bag Storage Organizer – Link
  • Keep all those holiday bags neat and visible in one spot.
• SpaceAid Bamboo Silverware Drawer Organizer – Link
  • Maximize every inch of your drawer. Image no gaps, no wasted space, and no lost items.
• 4 Pack Clear Small Stackable Storage Drawers – Link
  • From craft supplies to cosmetics, these little drawers pack a big organizing punch.

The Bottom Line

By taking advantage of October’s calm-before-the-storm energy, you can create a home that feels ready for hosting, gifting, and making memories. Whether you’re shopping early or tackling a seasonal reset, this is your chance to get ahead.

So grab a pumpkin spice latte, light that fall candle, and start checking a few things off your list. You’ll thank yourself in December.

Oh, and One More Thing

👉 Contact me here to see how I can take some of that stress off your plate.

If you’re short on time (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), let me help lighten your load. From decluttering to full home resets, I work with Omaha families to create organized spaces that actually work for real life.