When you are a mom to a three-year old and an 18-month old, decorating for the holidays can be an adventure.. and having a clean house can be even more of a chore!

I’ve had to be a little creative with my Christmas decorating since becoming a mom.  I want my house to be festive for the holidays, but I also want to make sure it’s toddler-proof too!

Some think I’m crazy, but we put a baby gate/fence around our Christmas tree.  It may not be the prettiest, but it’s what works for us.  The fence keeps little hands from taking ornaments off the tree, opening gifts before Christmas and most importantly – it keeps them (and my tree) safe!

During the holiday season, I always find myself in the kitchen more often too.  Even though I’m not an expert baker, I still like to make treats and cookies leading up to the holidays.  Plus, we host both our families at our house on Christmas Day.  So, with that said….keeping a clean kitchen is a “must” in my house!

My rules for a clean kitchen?  Never leave dirty dishes in the sink.  Clean as you go. Remember that cooking should be fun… not difficult.  (That’s the hardest one for me to remember sometimes.)

What tips/tricks do you have for staying organized and keeping a clean house during the holidays?  I’d love to know what works (and doesn’t work) for you!

** I am sharing my holiday home decor and cleaning tips for the chance to win prizes from The SITS Girls and Great Cleaners. **