How to Prepare your Home for Holiday Guests

The holiday season is just around the corner, and if you are playing host this year, you want to make sure your overnight guests, friends, and family feel welcomed and comfortable in your home. Here are our tips on how to prepare your home for holiday guests!

Tip # 1 – Prioritize

The last thing you want to be doing before guests arrive is running around trying to clean the house, do laundry, go grocery shopping, pick up the kids, do last minute holiday shopping, and make a home cooked meal. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to clean up the clutter, stock up on groceries and household supplies, wrap all your gifts, and put together meal plans. Our suggestion is to sit down a week before guests arrive and write out a master list of what needs to be done, bought, and/or prepared.

Tip # 2 – Stock up the Bathroom 

When preparing for guests it can sometimes be overwhelming knowing exactly what you will need. While you might overlook a few things, be sure not to overlook the bathroom. Stock up your bathroom with essential items that your guests will be sure to need:

• Toilet paper – You’ll go through it fast with a house full of guests, so stock the bathroom with a few extra rolls
• Extra towels and facecloths
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste – Just in case your guests forget their own
• Large bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
• Disposable razors
• Shaving cream
• Feminine products

As a side note, make sure to leave enough storage space under your bathroom sink or in overhead cabinets for guests to store their toiletries. It will keep clutter to a minimum and make your guests feel more at home.

Tip # 3 – Prepare the Guest Room

Make sure you plan out exactly where each guest will be sleeping. Make sure each guest has two pillows, preferably one soft and one firm. Also keep a few light blankets layered on the bed so you guests can adjust to the sleeping temperature that is perfect for them. It’s also nice to keep a few magazines or newspapers for your guests to flip through before drifting off to sleep or while they sip their morning coffee. Lastly, if the bedroom isn’t attached to the bathroom, make sure that you have a well-lit path with nightlights guiding your guests to the bathroom.

Tip # 4 – Stock up the Kitchen 

Your kitchen is the command center during the holidays, so make sure it’s amply stocked and ready for guests. Follow these tips to ensure everyone is happy:

• Ask ahead of time if any of your guests have food allergies so you can prepare accordingly
• Make sure you have a variety of milk (cow’s, almond, soy) to cater to everyone’s needs
• Set up a coffee/tea station with cups, creamer, and sugar available for your early risers
• Have different drinks like juice, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages available for whomever is thirsty
• Keep a variety of grab-and-go snacks available for both kids and adults to munch on between meals

Tip # 5 – Allow for downtime

Make sure to keep things light and fun. It’s easy to over-plan activities for holiday guests. Avoid the urge to fill every second of the day. Most guests will appreciate some down time to just relax, unwind, and enjoy your company!