Hosting Without the Crash: Crowd‑Sourced Help List Ideas to Keep You Sane

If your people are saying, “Please—no more stuff,” this episode is your new holiday playbook. Kathi Lipp and Roger Lipp share 10 consumable gift ideas that show big love without adding to anyone’s storage, from treat boxes and breakfast baskets to dinner kits, coffee/tea samplers, and even the tricky categories—candles, body care, and yes, cleaning supplies (only for the right person!). Listeners will learn Kathi Lipp’s simple 3–6 month test for choosing truly clutter‑free gifts, how to tailor consumables to minimalists, caregivers, and folks in transition, and how to make gift‑giving personal with paper-and-pen “use it up” favorites, baking kits in a bowl, and thoughtful frozen‑food gifts. Plus, Kathi Lipp shares exactly how to ask for consumables this year: “We’d love things we can eat, burn or use up.” Tune in for practical, joy‑filled ideas you can give—or add to your own wish list—so you can love your people well without creating one more thing to declutter.

In this tender episode, Kathi Lipp welcomes friend and author Cheri Fletcher to walk with listeners who are facing a holiday table that’s forever changed. After losing her 29-year-old daughter, Annie, to undiagnosed colorectal cancer, Cheri offers compassionate, practical ideas for navigating Christmas when your capacity is low and your heart is heavy. Listeners will learn:Simple ways to honor someone who is missing—think favorite movies, small touchstones, or wearing a gift—without turning Christmas into a full memorialGiving yourself permission to scale back decor, modify or skip traditions, and ask the most important question: Why am I doing this—comfort or compulsion?How to host kindly when one person wants to talk and another doesn’tPlus what actually helps a grieving friend (hint: do the small things without asking).Cheri introduces her tool, Beyond “I Don’t Know What to Say” grief communication cards—conversation starters that help families find words when grief makes everyone go quiet. If you need a gentle plan for a hard holiday, this conversation will help you find both comfort and doable next steps.Use the code "clutterfree" or "redhouse" on Cheri's website for 10% off.

In this solo, right-on-time episode, Kathi Lipp shares 10 tiny, high-impact tasks to lower your holiday stress—perfect for the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (and just as helpful for Christmas). Instead of chasing a magazine-perfect home, she helps you remove friction in the exact places that cause chaos. Listeners will hear details of the following 10 small tasks:Clear the "turkey triangle" (sink, oven, main counter)Do a 10-minute fridge edit that saves sanity on ThursdayPre-assign serving dishes so helpers don’t need to ask what goes whereSet up a drink and appetizer station away from the kitchenPrep trash/recycling/compost in advancePost a simple Help List so guests can actually helpGuest bathroom resetCreate a landing zone for coats and bagsDecide on a dishes-and-cleanup plan now, and...Doing one kind thing for "Friday you"—like setting aside leftovers containers and pre-loading the coffee maker.If you’re feeling behind, this episode meets you with grace and gives you a clear, doable path to a calmer holiday—without the perfection pressure.

In this episode, Kathi Lipp shares the one tool that rescued her holidays from overwhelm: the Help List. If your brain goes blank when guests ask, “How can I help?” this episode gives you an easy, repeatable system to turn stress into shared responsibility. Listeners will learn how to: - Create a list of five-to-fifteen-minute jobs guests can grab without instructions - Pre-stage hosting tasks (charcuterie tools, serving dishes, bathroom wipe-downs, ice duty) - Delegate non-cooking roles (greeting, recycling runs, kid/dog duty, dessert station) - Keep food hot and transitions smooth with real-life tips from the Clutter Free community (trivets + sticky notes, buffet swap captain, leftovers station) Kathi shows how a simple Help List declutters your mental load and builds a shared home culture—so you can enjoy your people without playing the one-woman show. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, and small groups.

In this tender, timely episode, Kathi Lipp welcomes her friend Tenneil Register to help listeners who feel the pressure to be merry when life hurts. If you’re carrying loss, change, or exhaustion into the holidays, this conversation offers slow, practical steps to honor your grief—and still make room for moments of joy. Listeners will learn how to: Identify your core need this season (quiet, simplicity, or supportive people) and adjust traditions accordinglyCreate a “safe haven” at home or a mobile breathing space to check in with your heartSet loving boundaries and reset expectations with family when energy is lowUse a simple permission slip to skip activities without guiltTry gentle remembrance practices (a candle at dinner, an empty chair, a ribbon or ornament) that bring meaning without overwhelmUse grounding techniques for overstimulation (engage one sense at a time, savor small joys)Build a nourishing rhythm of rest, connection with safe people, and small acts of creationReflect and release—recognizing what’s hard while noticing new strength and hope They also share a resource to walk beside you: Tenneil’s "When Joy Takes Courage: A Guide to Healing Through the Holiday Season" —a 12-day, retreat-style guide to help you move gently through the season. If your holidays need to be smaller, slower, and softer this year, you’re not failing—you’re being faithful to the season you’re in. This episode will help you breathe again.

In this fun, practical episode, Kathi Lipp and her favorite person, Roger Lipp ,go off the beaten clutter path to share their favorite frugal foodie tool: the Too Good To Go app. If you want great food for a fraction of the price, hate seeing food go to waste, or just need an easy meal that isn’t from your own kitchen, this one’s for you. Listeners will learn: How Too Good To Go works (and when it’s worth it)Their best “surprise bag” wins (pizza, bagels, bakery, gumbo, and more)What to know before you go: pickup windows, freshness, and cancellationsSmart hacks for leftovers: air fryer reheat, freezing donuts, and sharing the bountyWho this is great for (and who should skip it)How to weave it into errands, travel, and low-cost date nights You’ll walk away with a simple, step-by-step plan to save money, reduce waste, and bring a little adventure back to your meals—without adding chaos to your life.

In this quick micro episode, Kathi Lipp pops in to share a simple, powerful way to get your home holiday‑ready: the free 30‑Day 1K Challenge inside the Clutter Free Academy Facebook group. Listeners will learn how to declutter 1,000 items in November by tackling about 40 items a day—with Sundays off and plenty of grace. Members receive a calendar, resources, and daily encouragement to make real progress before Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you’ve been craving accountability, community, and a clear, doable plan, this friendly Facebook group is ready to help you get a thousand items lighter by December 1.

In Part 2 of Kathi's Stress‑Less Holidays series, the creative and clever Tenneil Register joins Kathi as they get practical about creating a peaceful, people‑loving holiday—without running yourself ragged. Listeners will learn:How to communicate boundaries early (and kindly)Why writing your boundaries down reduces dramaHow a simple printed agenda can keep a blended‑family gathering calmPre‑decluttering guest spaces to avoid stash‑and‑dash panicEasy guest‑room touches that feel welcoming (without staging a hotel)The power of starting a donation box now so there’s room for people, presents, and peace. You’ll hear smart ideas for thrifted gifting, family‑first traditions (hello, UNO and naps), and planning charitable giving in advance so it comes from joy, not guilt. If you want a holiday that’s calmer, kinder, and centered on what matters most, this episode offers doable steps you can start today.

In this Part 1 holiday prep episode, Kathi Lipp and the always creative Tenneil Register share practical, low‑energy strategies to help listeners enjoy a calmer, more meaningful season. If you’re short on time, money, or emotional bandwidth, start here. You’ll learn how to declutter before decorating (and why a single focal point may be all you need), simple ways to streamline gift giving for big families, how to audit your calendar for joy instead of obligation, and how to pre‑plan holiday meals that won’t leave you buried in dishes. Tenneil also shares her hospitality bin idea so you’re always ready for guests without last‑minute scrambling. Listen in for doable steps you can take now to reduce December stress and increase December joy.

In this candid Clutter Free Academy episode, Kathi and Roger share how a sudden shift to long COVID reshaped their energy, rhythms, and home—and the simple, grace-filled systems helping them keep life peaceful and clutter free. Listeners will learn:How to reframe success when your “plate” gets smaller and energy is limitedThe “energy budget” mindset that helps you spend your effort where it mattersMeal strategies that don’t require chef-level energy (hello, rotisserie chicken + prepared foods)Easy home adaptations that save steps: snack stations, overbed tables, and a shower stoolThe emotional shift from guilt to acceptance—and how gratitude lightens the loadWhy decluttering brings immediate peace in a tough seasonHow to reset holiday expectations and ask for help without shame If you’re navigating illness, caregiving, burnout, or just a low-energy chapter, this episode will help you simplify plans, protect your energy, and find beauty in a smaller, saner life—one small doable step at a time.