The holiday season means family coming to visit, but don’t let that overwhelm and stress you out. By following these tips, you’ll be able to quickly and efficiently prepare your home for holiday houseguests.
1. Make finding a parking spot easy
If you have a small driveway or if space is limited on the street, try to make some room for your guests’ cars by cleaning out the garage (if you have one). That way, if you already don’t, you can park your vehicle in the garage and give your guests some parking real estate in the driveway and on the street.
2. Create a small breakfast nook
Some of your guests may not feel entirely comfortable rummaging through your cabinets and pantry in search of food. Make it easy for them by setting out a fully stocked fruit basket, breakfast cereals, oatmeal, and other essentials, like coffee and tea. That way, early risers won’t have to wait for you in the morning. You can also take an extra little step and give your guests a mini-tour of the kitchen, letting them know where everything is.
3. Stock the essentials
You can make everyone’s stay more comfortable (and easier on yourself) by ensuring that their rooms have all of the essentials.
Make sure that all the bed linen is freshly washed. Be sure that guests have a pillow, blankets, a wastebasket, and clean towels, too. For an extra special touch, put a cute basket on the bed with stuff such as snacks, bottled water, aspirin, a hairdryer, and mini toiletries like hairspray, shampoo, and conditioner. They may or may not use them, but it will sure be a welcoming gesture.
4. Display holiday greetings
Everyone like to be appreciated, and holiday houseguests will feel super special to see holiday greeting cards that they’ve sent artfully on display.
5. Add a personal touch
If your guests are going to stay for an extended period of time (say a week or more), adding some personalized touches is a hospitable gesture that can make them feel more comfortable. A monogrammed mug for their morning coffee and a stocking with their name on the fireplace mantle will make them feel welcome.
6. Schedule some downtime
Whenever holiday houseguests are in town, it can be tempting to create a schedule jam-packed with activities. And although it’s definitely great to be a good host and show your guests around town, be sure to leave some empty windows so that they can just relax and watch TV, check social media, or read a good book. After all, the point of vacations is relaxation.
7. Clean up the entryway
The first thing guests will see when they enter your home is the foyer. Make sure that it’s neatly decorated, clean, and well lit. If you have a front porch, make sure that the cushions on the chairs are clean and that plants are in good shape.
8. Make room in the coat closet
In most parts of the country, you will likely need a coat or at least a light jacket this time of year. Accommodate your guests by ensuring that there is free space in the coat closet or coat rack. That way, they won’t have to drape them over the back of a chair or clutter up their guest room.
9. Stock up the kitchen
Everyone’s gotta eat, and the holiday season is already expensive enough without tacking on the cost of fast food. Make sure that your pantry and fridge are stocked with things like sliced bread, deli meat, cheese, milk, orange juice, cereal, and other staples. You can even go the extra mile and discreetly find out what your guests like to eat and buy some of those items. They say that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, so get ready for some love after this small but kind gesture.
10. Add night lights
Let’s face it: it can be tough maneuvering through our own houses at night, and we walk through them every day! Help your holiday houseguests avoid bruised legs and sides by adding some night lights throughout the house. That way, if they need to go to the bathroom during the night or grab a midnight snack, they can do so without turning on all of the lights or bumping into furniture.
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