Preparing Your Household Team for the Holidays

By International Domestic Consulting (IDC) and Peter O’Donovan

“In luxury households, the difference between chaos and calm is found in one word: preparation.” — Peter O’Donovan, Founder of IDC

The holiday season is when a private household truly comes alive. The lights, the gatherings, the ritual of entertaining—everything feels heightened. But behind the effortless sparkle of a perfectly orchestrated season lies a team that’s prepared, coordinated, and quietly working in rhythm.

At International Domestic Consulting (IDC), we often remind our clients that the holidays don’t test your household staff—they reveal them. The homes that appear most serene are the ones that began planning weeks in advance.

Planning the Season Ahead

A successful holiday season begins with a full-staff briefing. Two or three weeks before events begin, gather your <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="/jobs/job-estate-managers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQzQU">Estate Manager</link-block></response-element>, housekeepers, chef, butler, and any seasonal hires. Discuss the calendar, guest flow, menu preferences, and décor expectations.

Anticipate deliveries, gift wrapping, travel arrangements, and potential pinch points. The more clarity your team has, the more invisible their movements become when it matters most. It’s also essential to confirm who is arriving and when, ensuring that guest accommodations, amenities, and preferences are all perfectly tailored and ready upon arrival.

The Importance of Practical Planning

In one <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="/locations/dallas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQzgU">Dallas</link-block></response-element> property Peter managed—a Highland Park estate belonging to a high-profile couple—the owners ordered two dump trucks of pumpkins to flank the entrances of their home. The effect was magical at first: cascades of orange and white gourds spilling over limestone steps.

But what no one anticipated was that those same pumpkins would soon attract pests. Within weeks, the staff found themselves in a quiet crisis. The lesson: even the most beautiful vision needs a plan for what happens after the photo is taken. This is why having robust <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://internationaldomesticconsulting.com/jobs/employment-blog/why-every-luxury-home-needs-standard-operating-procedures-and-and-a-house-manual/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQzwU">Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)</link-block></response-element> for seasonal transitions is vital for protecting your assets.

Organization Behind the Scenes

In another estate Peter oversaw, the principals maintained a meticulously organized warehouse of seasonal décor. But this system only worked because it was maintained with military precision.

Too often, households accumulate without auditing. A well-managed household doesn’t just decorate beautifully; it stores and restores beautifully, too. Our <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://internationaldomesticconsulting.com/jobs/employment-blog/raising-the-standard-5-star-service-training-for-modern-private-households/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ0AU">5-star service training</link-block></response-element> often covers these high-level organizational habits to ensure your <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="/types-of-household-staff/housekeepers-maid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ0QU">Executive Housekeepers</link-block></response-element> are operating at peak efficiency.

Elevating the Standard

During the holidays, the usual level of service is no longer enough. This is the time to review your <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://internationaldomesticconsulting.com/jobs/employment-blog/why-every-luxury-home-needs-standard-operating-procedures-and-and-a-house-manual/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ0gU">house manual</link-block></response-element> and create a “holiday addendum” with your family’s preferred floral style, candle placement, music tempo, and signature scent. At IDC, we help families codify these details so that year after year, perfection becomes tradition.

Scheduling and Staffing

Transparency is key. Discuss holiday pay, overtime, and time off well in advance. If entertaining at scale, consider temporary service professionals—a <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="/jobs/private-chefs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ0wU">Private Chef</link-block></response-element>, second housekeeper, or specialized <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="/types-of-household-staff/nanny/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ1AU">nanny</link-block></response-element> for visiting guests. IDC frequently provides short-term staffing for our clients during the holidays, ensuring seamless support that integrates quietly into the existing household dynamic.

Leadership and Gratitude

Finally, remember that even the most elite teams are made up of human beings. A word of thanks or a gesture of appreciation can have an outsized impact. When your staff feels seen and valued, the pride they take in your home becomes personal—and it shows in every polished glass and folded napkin.

The holidays are a mirror of a household’s systems and spirit. With the right planning, your home can move through the season with grace, rhythm, and warmth—allowing you to focus entirely on what matters most.

At International Domestic Consulting, we help UHNW families prepare for this level of performance year-round. From recruiting world-class professionals to structuring and training complete household teams, <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="/clients/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ1QU">IDC is here to help</link-block></response-element> take the guesswork out of staffing and management.

Confidential. Curated. Concierge-Level Staffing for the World’s Finest Households. <link-block _nghost-ng-c4127797377="" class="ng-star-inserted"><a class="ng-star-inserted" href="/clients/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-hveid="0" data-ved="0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjIwKCn4JySAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQ1gU">Begin your confidential consultation today.</link-block></response-element>