Where did the year go? I look up, and suddenly the holiday season's almost here. Wasn't it just Valentine's Day? Don't I still have months to buy presents, prep the decorations, and plan the festivities? Apparently not.

The good thing is the house won't be filled to the rafters with friends and relatives, so it'll only be the twins, my husband Charles, and me.

But that's okay with us. We've learned to appreciate the little things in life - home-cooked meals, a fierce game of Scrabble, and puzzles-puzzles-puzzles. We have plenty to celebrate, all right.

But heading into shorter days and colder nights means we'll really be cooped up inside. So, to keep the holiday season merry and bright - and clean! - we decided we should have the house regularly cleaned this year.

I had no idea where to start. So, I went on a neighborhood group chat asking for advice. Three people suggested their personal cleaners and my friend Rachael told me to try Handy because they're the most reliable name in house cleaning.

That sounded like what we were looking for, so I decided to check Handy out and see how they stack up against hiring a cleaner in the classic, conventional way.

Key Similarities

• Both cleaners are local to your area
• Both can be booked for recurring cleanings
• Both can perform deep cleanings and extra services such as cleaning inside fridges, inside stoves, interior windows, and even laundry upon request
• Both can be provided special directions and procedures

Key Differences

• Vetting - Pros booked through Handy are vetted and background checked
• Communication - Remain in contact with Handy's awesome app & 24/7 Customer Support
• Reputation - Classic Cleaners rely on good word-of-mouth - Pros booked through Handy have exceptional Customer Reviews on their site.
• Flexible - Classic Cleaners often run into scheduling snags - With Handy, you can adjust bookings, or change the frequency of scheduled cleanings
• Price - With a Classic Cleaner, prices might fluctuate - Handyoffers a variety of affordable plans with immediate upfront pricing before you book

Classic Cleaner Overview

A housecleaning should lighten your mood, release trapped energy, and get you prepared for what life brings to you. At least that's how I feel when it goes right. But it doesn't always go right.

Classic house cleaners can vary widely. One time, I'd booked a cleaning and the person just never showed up! The house never got cleaned and we had to move book club night from my place to a restaurant.

Scheduling with a classic cleaner can be difficult. Sometimes an 11am cleaning doesn't get into full swing until 12:30pm.

Your classic cleaner may not be equipped with the right supplies. And - the biggest sticking point for me - is the work quality. Your kitchen may be gleaming, but then you discover a horde of dust bunnies under your bed.

And worst of all, just when you've found an exceptional, reliable cleaner, they move away. Or switch careers. Or both. And you're back to where you started.

Handy Overview

Handy connects you to experienced cleaning professionals in your area - notice the word professional. Pros booked through Handy go through background screenings that utilize the latest credential verification technology, so you can be sure they're the most reliable cleaners out there.

Simply sign up for a monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly plan. Handy's site is so convenient - you can look at reviews and request the Pro you want to work with, and give them instructions before they arrive.

Their savvy app allows you to tweak your schedule and even track a cleaning's progress while the cleaning Pro works their magic. Handy's plans are completely flexible - adjust or pause your plan at any time!

Finally, Handy knows health and safety are top of mind and they have taken steps to foster a safe environment and better serve their communities. They prioritize the health and safety of the professionals and customers who use their platform by implementing the Handy Safety Standard.

Not only have face coverings been provided to professionals, but Handyalso requires them to complete a daily in-app checkup confirming that they are not experiencing symptoms before they can claim jobs. In addition, Handy communicates CDC health and safety guidelines to both customers and professionals to practice before, during, and after booking appointments.

The Pros available through Handy have the training and experience to help you keep your home spick-and-span for a fun, memorable, and safe holiday season.

Schedule regular cleaning sessions with Handy and give yourself the gift that keeps on giving all year long!

Update: The folks at Handy are extending a Special offer to our readers. For a limited time follow this link to get a special offer on a cleaning plan!