15 home upgrades to make before the rush
Clocks fall back tomorrow. Use the extra hour to get your house ready for the holidays with 15 smart gadgets and decorating shortcuts.
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The holidays have a way of sneaking up on you, friend.
One minute it’s fall, the next you’re juggling guests, packages and tangled Christmas lights. I’m getting a head start this year, and you should, too. These 15 clever home upgrades tackle the little headaches now, so you can enjoy the fun stuff later.
🤖 Robot vacuum and mop (31% off, $250)
4.0 ⭐ 25,600+ reviews
Hosting this year? Put a robot on cleanup duty. It maps your rooms instead of bumping around aimlessly. Dual anti-tangle brushes tackle pet hair, and the base holds up to nine weeks of dust.
📦 Smart garage door opener (15% off, $43)
4.2 ⭐ 290+ reviews
Porch pirates can’t grab what’s inside. Open the garage from your phone, so a trusted driver can leave a package inside, then close it. You get an alert anytime the door moves.
🎦 Blink Mini 2K+ (58% off, $17)
4.4 ⭐ 6,700+ reviews
Heading out of town? Plug in Blink’s newest 2K camera and check on your pets from anywhere. Motion alerts ping your phone when someone walks in, and two-way audio lets you listen and talk back.
🚨 Smoke and carbon monoxide detector (14% off, $37)
4.5 ⭐ 4,300+ reviews
Holiday cooking comes with a side of caution. Check your smoke and CO alarms before the rush. This 2-in-1 detector covers both threats, with a sealed battery that lasts up to 10 years.
🚪 Door draft stopper (13% off, $13)
4.4 ⭐ 400+ reviews
Stop paying to heat the outside. Slip this under your door to block chilly drafts and muffle noise. Perfect for keeping the guest room cozy and quiet. A tiny fix you’ll appreciate all winter.
👕 Closet organizer (23% off, $30)
4.5 ⭐ 1,600+ reviews
Clear the closet before company peeks inside. Stack a couple of these bins for your overnight guests. After the visit, use them in the bathroom or pantry, or fold them flat and tuck them away.
✨ Cluster lights (20% off, $24)
4.2 ⭐ 700+ reviews
A little twinkle is nice. How about 400 lights? Pick from eight lighting modes, set the timer and decorate indoors or out. The green wire hides in trees and garland. Need more? Connect a second strand.
⚡ Voltage tester (20% off, $12)
4.6 ⭐ 5,800+ reviews
Before you deck the halls, check the volts. Hold it near an outlet, wire or light strand. It shows signal strength and beeps when power is there. The built-in flashlight helps behind the tree.
🔌 Smart home energy monitor (10% off, $180)
4.1 ⭐ 300+ reviews
Spot the energy hogs in real time. Have an electrician wire it into your breaker panel, and it tracks every watt coming and going. Your data stays at home instead of being sent to the cloud.
🎄 Wreath hanger (10% off, $9)
4.6 ⭐ 8,100+ reviews
Your wreath shouldn’t require a power drill. Slip this padded hook over your door and hang away. It adjusts from 14.9 to 25 inches, so your wreath sits at just the right height.
🎁 Wrapping paper cutter (11% off, $24, two-pack)
4.4 ⭐ 600+ reviews
Crooked cuts and tangled tape? Not this year. Slide this tool along the roll for straighter cuts, while the built-in tape dispenser keeps strips handy. Give the second one to a fellow last-minute wrapper.
🪑 Chair leg protectors (23% off, $10, 24-pack)
4.4 ⭐ 600+ reviews
Extra chairs at the table? These silicone caps slip over the legs, and the felt on the bottom glides without that awful scraping sound. They’re reusable, so toss them in the wash when the time comes.
👣 Rug grippers (15% off, $10)
4.4 ⭐ 42,100+ reviews
Nobody should trip on the way to the gravy. Pads hold corners down to stop shifting and bunching. They grip tight to hardwood or tile but peel off clean. Simple, smart and maybe ankle-saving.
🧰 Double-sided tape (20% off, $16)
4.5 ⭐ 12,900+ reviews
Renters, this one’s for you. The roll is more than 13 feet long and holds signs, garland and picture frames right where you want them. Pro tip: Wipe the surface clean first for a stronger hold.
🤎 Leather care kit (19% off, $44)
4.6 ⭐ 4,800+ reviews
Your leather couch is about to have a lot of company. Wipe it down with the cleaner, then rub in the conditioner to soften and protect. It’s safe for almost any color. Made in the USA, too.
✅ Prep more, spend less:
- Refill your go-to basics now, so you’re not scrambling later.
- Don’t wait. Today’s top deals could disappear fast.
📩 Send this to someone who always waits until the last minute to get the house ready. Use the handy links below.
