9 Steps to Prepare for Holiday Guests
Target a few key areas to get your home ready for houseguests and give them a warm welcome
If you’re expecting visitors over the holidays, you might be slightly anxious about how you can help them feel at home. Fortunately, just a little bit of decluttering and organizing will enable you to create a calm and welcoming space, ready for everyone to sit back, relax and enjoy the festivities.
2. Make Room for Outerwear
You can also expect extra scarves, hats and gloves so sort through the family’s stash first. Midwinter is a great time to assess which of these outerwear accessories you actually use and which could be donated.
Don’t throw anything out yet, though — hang on to spare items while your visitors are staying in case they need to borrow anything. Locate a basket of cozy essentials near the door for those visitors who realize they’ve forgotten to pack their own as they’re heading out for a walk.
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You can also expect extra scarves, hats and gloves so sort through the family’s stash first. Midwinter is a great time to assess which of these outerwear accessories you actually use and which could be donated.
Don’t throw anything out yet, though — hang on to spare items while your visitors are staying in case they need to borrow anything. Locate a basket of cozy essentials near the door for those visitors who realize they’ve forgotten to pack their own as they’re heading out for a walk.
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3. Check Your Bedding
If family or friends are staying over, don’t wait until the last minute to check that you have enough bedding. At least a week beforehand, have a look through your linen closet and check your supplies.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask visitors to bring their own pillows or for children to come with a sleeping bag. There’s no point in buying new linens if you can borrow it, as you’ll just end up with a storage issue for the rest of the year.
If family or friends are staying over, don’t wait until the last minute to check that you have enough bedding. At least a week beforehand, have a look through your linen closet and check your supplies.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask visitors to bring their own pillows or for children to come with a sleeping bag. There’s no point in buying new linens if you can borrow it, as you’ll just end up with a storage issue for the rest of the year.
4. Free Your Fridge
You’ll need maximum cold storage for food if you’re entertaining, so now’s the time to clear out all those jars and pots that have been lurking at the back of the fridge for a few months.
Just before the holidays is also the perfect time to defrost your freezer. While you’re removing food for the defrost, take the opportunity to throw out anything that’s been in there since last year.
Do the same with your pantry or food cupboards.
You’ll need maximum cold storage for food if you’re entertaining, so now’s the time to clear out all those jars and pots that have been lurking at the back of the fridge for a few months.
Just before the holidays is also the perfect time to defrost your freezer. While you’re removing food for the defrost, take the opportunity to throw out anything that’s been in there since last year.
Do the same with your pantry or food cupboards.
5. Stash Some Stools
Seating is key if you want your guests to feel comfortable during a party or at dinner. Invest in a few spare stools to provide extra seats without the need for bulky chairs.
Cube stools are great multi-purpose items, as they can provide extra storage in the living room as well as additional seats at the dining table. They’re also easy to tuck away, so are a good space-saving option.
Seating is key if you want your guests to feel comfortable during a party or at dinner. Invest in a few spare stools to provide extra seats without the need for bulky chairs.
Cube stools are great multi-purpose items, as they can provide extra storage in the living room as well as additional seats at the dining table. They’re also easy to tuck away, so are a good space-saving option.
6. Add Creature Comforts
If you have a spare room, it might well be used for numerous purposes other than for guests – an office, laundry room or playroom, for example. If this is the case, it might not contain the usual bedroom accoutrements.
As you’re trying to turn it from chaotic, multipurpose zone into calm, restful guest room, think about adding a few helpful conveniences, such as a table lamp, clock, wastepaper basket, some tissues and towels, and perhaps even a radio. Then add some homey touches, such as a vase of flowers and a cozy blanket and cushions.
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
If you have a spare room, it might well be used for numerous purposes other than for guests – an office, laundry room or playroom, for example. If this is the case, it might not contain the usual bedroom accoutrements.
As you’re trying to turn it from chaotic, multipurpose zone into calm, restful guest room, think about adding a few helpful conveniences, such as a table lamp, clock, wastepaper basket, some tissues and towels, and perhaps even a radio. Then add some homey touches, such as a vase of flowers and a cozy blanket and cushions.
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
7. Blitz the Bathroom
To get your bathroom guest-ready, whisk away those odds and ends gathering dust in a corner, and collect together daily used products in a pretty caddy. (This will set you up well for keeping your bathroom neat and clean in the future too.)
Instantly transform the feel of your bathroom with fluffy towels, a fresh bar of luxury soap and a scented candle for your guests, to evoke the atmosphere of a boutique hotel. A simple touch like this can show you care and make a world of difference.
To get your bathroom guest-ready, whisk away those odds and ends gathering dust in a corner, and collect together daily used products in a pretty caddy. (This will set you up well for keeping your bathroom neat and clean in the future too.)
Instantly transform the feel of your bathroom with fluffy towels, a fresh bar of luxury soap and a scented candle for your guests, to evoke the atmosphere of a boutique hotel. A simple touch like this can show you care and make a world of difference.
8. Help Your Kids Declutter
Of course, presents are a big part of Christmas and, let’s face it, the main recipients are usually kids. However, children’s bedrooms can become overwhelmed with extra toys, and, with other youngsters in the home, things could become cluttered and chaotic.
Help prepare your children’s storage space by encouraging them to go through their existing toys and books and donate some of the items they’ve outgrown.
You could also avoid having a home full of unwanted or unsuitable presents by creating a gift list for your family to buy from.
Of course, presents are a big part of Christmas and, let’s face it, the main recipients are usually kids. However, children’s bedrooms can become overwhelmed with extra toys, and, with other youngsters in the home, things could become cluttered and chaotic.
Help prepare your children’s storage space by encouraging them to go through their existing toys and books and donate some of the items they’ve outgrown.
You could also avoid having a home full of unwanted or unsuitable presents by creating a gift list for your family to buy from.
9. Embrace the Fun
Take a look at your collection of family games to see if they’re suitable and likely to get everyone laughing together. Then double-check each one has all its pieces intact. If your selection is low, ask your guests to bring a game or idea that’s suitable for everyone to play — it can be as serious or silly as they like.
Finally, think about music, as it will help to create an atmosphere. Remember to choose a playlist that isn’t going to drive you insane — perhaps compile a calmer selection of songs as well as a lively party mix. If you take a little time with your tunes, you can help set the mood and reduce repetition of the over-played seasonal classics.
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Take a look at your collection of family games to see if they’re suitable and likely to get everyone laughing together. Then double-check each one has all its pieces intact. If your selection is low, ask your guests to bring a game or idea that’s suitable for everyone to play — it can be as serious or silly as they like.
Finally, think about music, as it will help to create an atmosphere. Remember to choose a playlist that isn’t going to drive you insane — perhaps compile a calmer selection of songs as well as a lively party mix. If you take a little time with your tunes, you can help set the mood and reduce repetition of the over-played seasonal classics.
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
Find home professionals
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Your already-full-to-bursting hallway will need to accommodate additional coats and footwear when guests arrive. So, before everyone descends, spend a few minutes paring down your own possessions. Limit each person in the household to one pair of shoes and one coat in the hallway, and squeeze the others into your wardrobes.
If your hall is quite small, it might be worth investing in a set of over-door hooks, so there’s plenty of space to dry out wet togs.