Tips for Making Your Home Guest Ready

Your turn to host for the Holidays this year? Everyone wants to make their home magical for the holidays. But first, you need to get your house into hosting shape. You might be worried that the whole house needs to be spotless for your guests.

But before you go into full-blown panic mode- just take a moment to breathe and follow these tips to get your home ready for grandma and the gang in no time.

Start with the main areas
Take the time to clean up the common areas that your guests will be spending the most time in, such as the entryway, living room, dining room, bathroom, and kitchen. Clear out your entryway or foyer and make sure there’s space in your coat closet to accommodate guests. Store unneeded kitchen appliances, such as toasters can openers, etc. Hideaway unsightly items in a laundry basket and store it in your bedroom closet or garage for the time being.

Give them a warm welcome
Decorate for the holiday throughout your home to get everyone in a festive mood. It doesn’t take much to make a difference: Hang a wreath on the front door, place lights or garland on the mantle, light up your tree and set the table with a festive centerpiece. Use holiday scented candles, mulling spices, or oil diffusers to give your guests a warm welcome as they enter your home.

Prepare the kitchen
You’ll likely be using your oven on overtime throughout the holidays- make sure it’s clean to avoid stuck on grease and grime that smells and could be a fire hazard. Guests will be in and out of the refrigerator throughout the gathering, so throw out the old food and containers, and give it a good scrub. Stock the fridge with adult and kid-friendly beverages. Prepare a coffee station and a snack basket for the kitchen so guests can grab a snack when they’re hungry.

Get ready for overnight guests
If your guests are staying overnight, prepare their bedroom by tidying up, clearing out space in the dresser and closet, and make sure they have plenty of clean towels, toiletries, blankets, and pillows. Add some fresh flowers to the room for an extra touch.

Make an emergency kit
It’s more than likely that something is going to spill. Put together a basket for emergencies, with stain removers, rags, air freshener, band-aids and gauze, ibuprofen, Pepto Bismol, etc.

Don’t get board
Keep a deck of cards, board game or puzzle in the living rooms for guests to play before or after dinner. Create a sign (or a few) with your WiFi name and password to make it easy for your guests to access.