9 Home Services that Will Make Holiday Prep Way Less Stressful
We’re approaching the busiest time of the year, and that means plenty of entertaining, shopping—and stress. Whether you’re about to host your extended family for Thanksgiving or are prepping for a big holiday party, you probably have a to-do list that’s as long as your last CVS receipt. What if we told you there’s another way? Nowadays there are an endless number of services available to make life easier, and there’s no better time to invest in one than right now. From grocery delivery to professional organizing, we found the 9 home services you need to know about for the holiday season and beyond.
For help with just about anything, go to TaskRabbit. I’ve personally used this service, which connects you to a network of skilled “Taskers” in your area, for everything from furniture building, curtain hanging, to picking up an IKEA wardrobe in Queens. You can even hire someone to wait in line for you, hang your holiday decorations, and bake cookies for your office party. Seriously, the options are endless—and the service is available in dozens of cities nationwide. Also check out Thumbtack for more professional services.
Did you know Amazon offers house cleaning services? (Of course they do.) Just fill out some information on the size of your home and the types of cleaning products you prefer, and Amazon will give you an estimate. The service typically includes dusting, mopping, and vacuuming, plus cleaning surfaces in the kitchen and bathrooms. The “cleaning pros” have to pass a strict background check and have a strong track record, and will chat with you over email to discuss your expectations and schedule a time. Right now, a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home cleaned with standard supplies has an estimated cost of $65.
If you’ve ever had a million things to do and can’t fathom tacking a grocery store visit to your list, Instacart is for you. The site lets you order groceries online from local stores, and they’ll deliver it to your door in as little as one hour—or you can choose to pick up in store if that’s easier. Your total delivery fee is based on the size of your order and delivery time (and there’s a $10 minimum on every order). Instacart is available in dozens of cities nationwide, and growing. If you want to research other options, we recommend checking out Fresh Direct and Amazon Fresh.
For placing orders for grocery and pantry products in bulk, you can’t do better than Boxed. The site offers a huge range of products on everything from food and household essentials to home goods and medicine. Shipping is free on orders over $49 (otherwise it’s $6.99), and most orders arrive within 2 business days. Best part? There are no membership fees (unlike your favorite wholesale stores). There’s also a section devoted to deals, and every order comes with a free sample of your choosing. Also check to see if your area qualifies for Boxed Express, which allows you to place orders for perishable items like fresh fruit and dairy products.
If you’re not a fan of Amazon and want to check out another house cleaning service, Handy is a great option. One of the most well-known house cleaning companies around, Handy is available in major cities across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. It’s quick and easy to book online, and you can schedule an appointment any day of the week between 7 a.m.-11 p.m. All professionals are vetted by Handy and rated by previous customers, and the entire process takes place online, including paying, tipping, and rescheduling if necessary. You can even set up a plan to schedule cleaning weekly, biweekly, or monthly.
If you’ve ever thrown a party and realized too late that you need more alcohol, you should know about Drizly. The online liquor store delivers beer, wine, and liquor to your door in under 60 minutes—and the selection is actually really good (I’ve used it and can confirm). There are thousands of drinks here, including local and not so popular options, plus extras like mixers, ice, and syrups. It’s available in major cities across the U.S., and you can even place an order up to two weeks in advance to really feel organized.
Have too much stuff and nowhere to put it all? SpareFoot is the answer. The site lets you find and reserve storage for everything from your hand-me-down furniture you can’t get rid of to your car that you don’t use enough in the city. It’s also great if you’re in between homes or are about to embark on a long trip and just need a place to store your stuff short-term. You can even opt to purchase storage with pickup to make the entire process as painless as possible. Just put in your zip code (it’s available across the country) and what you’re looking for and when, and compare your options by price, amenities, and more.
Need some help with laundry? Check out Rinse, which picks up your laundry and drops it off on your doorstep when it’s done. You can schedule via app, text, or the site before 5pm for same-day service, with a standard turnaround time of 3-4 days (or quicker if you’re willing to shell out a little extra). Wash and fold service costs $1.95 per pound (around $40 for two loads), while dry cleaning starts at $2.95 per item. Right now Rinse is only available in seven cities, so definitely research the local offerings in your town if you’re interested in laundry service.
If you’re ready to get organized but don’t know where to start, investing in a professional organizing service could be worth it. With locations across the U.S. and Canada, the NEAT Method offers customized plans for conquering clutter and creating a more organized space. Services are available for every room in the house, and you can even hire them to help during every stage of the moving process. And if you don’t live in a city that is serviced by NEAT Method, you can opt for virtual sessions.