How To Best Prepare For This Year’s Holiday Season

The holiday season is just around the corner, and we all know what that means – friends and family from out of town will be taking up space in our guest rooms and on our sofas in no time. With all the preparations to do during this time of year, having extra guests can be a bit stressful.

Here are some simple tips to help you prepare for coming guests and get rid of some of that holiday stress:

Get Prepped

You probably have more time right now than you will as the holidays draw near. Take a look at your guest room and guest areas – do they need to be vacuumed, swept, or spruced up? Take a little time now to get things picked up and put away so that when your guests arrive in a few weeks, you only have to do a quick scan for anything that is out of place.

Clean it Up

Change the sheets, vacuum the carpet (or sweep if you have hard flooring), and look at the drapery to see if it needs to be cleaned or dusted. Put away any clutter like kid’s toys or projects you’ve been meaning to get to. Make sure there is space in the closet for your guest to hang any clothing and be sure to leave a few towels and washcloths in the closet or on the dresser. The day they plan to arrive, light a scented candle or use some Febreeze to freshen up the room and make it inviting.

Entertaining

When you talk to your guests about plans for the holiday, let them know if you’ll be working during part of their stay so they can plan to entertain themselves. If you’ll be home, have a few activities ready and take some time to enjoy having your guests visit. If you’re prepping for the big holiday meal, see if your guests want to help you in the kitchen. Scout out local festivities like ice skating or light festivals. Even if you can’t join them, at least they’ll have something to do while you’re busy getting everything ready for the holidays. You can also pull out a few favorite movies, some popcorn, or even a fun game to play in the evenings while your guests are in town. Don’t go overboard – keep it simple.

Food & Drinks

Be upfront with your guests about any plans to eat out or go for drinks. If you are able, have some quick and easy meal options available for both you AND your guests leading up to the holiday. Things like sandwiches and soup go a long way. Let your guests know where to find items in your kitchen so they can help themselves and don’t have to bother you. Drinks can be a bit trickier. I usually have milk and juice available all the time. Still, during the holidays, I typically buy a few things of soda if I know I’m having guests. If you’re on a budget, it’s best to let your guests know what you will provide and what they’ll have to get for themselves.

Make Cleanup Easy

Have a hamper in the room for your guests and just let them know that anything dirty should be placed in there, like towels, sheets, etc. When they leave, toss the bedding in the same basket and take it to your laundry room to be added to your regular laundry rotation.

That’s it! We hope this helps you avoid some of the stress the holidays can bring. Enjoy seeing your friends and family, and try to keep things fun. Until next time – Keep It Simple!