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The holiday season is just around the corner, and it’s a time for family and friends to gather together and make new memories celebrating the joy of the holidays. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner party or a full-fledged holiday gathering, preparing your home to welcome guests can make all the difference. The key to creating a warm, inviting atmosphere is to plan ahead, so you can focus on what matters most-enjoying quality time with those around you. Here we will walk through everything you need to do to get your home prepped and holiday-ready, from deep cleaning and decorating to preparing your kitchen and ensuring guest comfort.
Start With a Deep Clean
Before you even think about decor or food, it’s important to ensure your home is clean and tidy. A thorough cleaning will not only create a welcoming environment, but it will make you feel more relaxed and ready for the festivities ahead. Studies have even shown that a cluttered home can impact our ability to focus or relax.
- Declutter: Begin by decluttering common areas like the living room, kitchen, and dining room. Store away items you don’t need, such as extra shoes, mail, or paperwork. The fewer items cluttering up your space, the more room there is for guests to spread out and feel comfortable.
- Clean High-Traffic Areas: Clean the entryway, living room, and bathroom as these are the areas guests will spend the most time in. Don’t forget to vacuum or mop floors and dust surfaces, including baseboards, window sills, and light fixtures. If you have pets, take extra time to vacuum up pet hair and keep the air fresh.
- Kitchen Clean-Up: The kitchen is the heart of the holiday home and will be the focal point for both food preparation and socializing. Make sure countertops are clear, the fridge is stocked and organized, and your appliances are clean. Consider wiping down the oven, stovetop, and microwave, especially if you will be using them a lot during holiday meal prep.
- Bathroom Preparation: Ensure bathrooms are stocked with extra toilet paper, soap, and clean towels. A simple decorative touch, like a holiday-scented soap or a festive towel, can also help elevate the ambiance.
Create a Festive Atmosphere With Holiday Decor
Decorating your home for the holidays doesn’t have to mean overloading your space with decorations. Instead, focus on creating a warm, inviting, and festive atmosphere that feels comfortable and not too cluttered.
- Seasonal Touches: You don’t need to go overboard with a complete home makeover-small changes can make a big difference. Consider adding a few subtle holiday touches, such as a wreath on the door, a festive tablecloth, or a bowl of seasonal fruit like oranges or pomegranates. If you celebrate Christmas, a beautifully adorned tree is a centerpiece that brings holiday cheer to any room.
- Lighting: Soft lighting is key to setting a cozy mood for the holidays. String lights, candles, and lanterns can add a touch of warmth to the space. If you’re worried about safety, flameless LED candles are a great alternative to real ones and still provide a soft, flickering glow.
- Scent: Holiday scents can transform a home into a festive wonderland. Opt for candles or essential oils that evoke the smells of the season, such as cinnamon, pine, vanilla, or citrus. A simmer pot on the stove with a mixture of spices and citrus can add to the ambiance and make your home smell inviting.
- Outdoor Decor: Don’t forget about the exterior of your home! A few twinkling lights, a decorated porch, or a welcoming mat can make a positive first impression on guests arriving. If you live in an area with winter weather, make sure walkways are clear of snow and ice to ensure safety.
Ensure Comfortable Guest Spaces
Whether you’re hosting a few people for a meal or having family members stay for several nights, making sure there’s plenty of comfortable space for everyone is essential. Here’s how to prepare guest areas:
- Guest Bedrooms: If you’re hosting overnight guests, take some time to freshen up the guest room. Ensure the bed is made with clean sheets, blankets, and pillows. A welcoming touch like a small gift, a seasonal decoration, or a fresh vase of flowers can make guests feel at home. If your guest room is tight on space, consider clearing out any unnecessary items from closets or dressers to give your guests room to unpack.
- Comfortable Bedding: If you have extra guests and need to set up air mattresses or pull-out couches in the living room, make sure there are enough blankets and pillows to keep everyone warm and cozy. An extra set of sheets, a fluffy comforter, and a few soft throws will make even the most temporary arrangements feel luxurious.
- Lighting and Electrical Outlets: Make sure all lights are functioning in guest areas and that there are easily accessible outlets for phone chargers or other devices. If necessary, provide a small nightlight or lamp for easy access when guests wake up in the middle of the night.
- Bathroom Considerations: If your home has more than one bathroom, make sure each one is stocked with necessary toiletries, like soap, shampoo, conditioner, and extra towels. If guests will be sharing a bathroom, provide clear instructions on where things are located, such as extra toilet paper, or which towel is theirs.
Prepare the Kitchen for Holiday Cooking
The holiday season often revolves around food, whether it’s preparing a multi-course meal or baking delicious treats together. A well-prepared kitchen can make the cooking and hosting process much more enjoyable.
- Meal Planning: Start by planning your meals well in advance. Make a list of all the dishes you plan to prepare and make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. If you’re planning on having guests help out with the cooking, assign tasks ahead of time to avoid confusion.
- Stocking the Pantry: Ensure you have enough pantry staples for your meals—flour, sugar, spices, oils, and other dry goods. Don’t forget to check your fridge and freezer for perishables like dairy, meats, and frozen vegetables. If you’re hosting a potluck-style gathering, coordinate with guests on what they plan to bring, so you can avoid duplicates and cover all the bases.
- Organizing Cooking Tools: Make sure all your cooking equipment is in working order and that you know where everything is. Check that your oven, stovetop, and microwave are all functioning properly. Clean your pots, pans, and baking sheets so they’re ready for use. If you don’t have enough dishes for serving large groups, consider borrowing or renting extra plates and utensils.
- Space and Prep Area: Clear counter space for food prep and ensure you have enough room to serve and display dishes. If you’re hosting a buffet-style meal, think about where you’ll set up the food for easy access. Organize your fridge and freezer ahead of time to accommodate leftovers and ensure you don’t run out of space.
Make Room for Socializing and Entertainment
The holidays are about more than just food—they’re a time for connecting and making memories with those you love. Preparing your home for entertainment can help facilitate a fun and festive atmosphere. Here are some of the top holiday games we recommend from Good Housekeeping:
- Candy Cane Hunt: Instead of eggs, hide candy canes around the home for guests, kids, or adults, to find. Use the plastic-wrapped treats for less mess.
- Gingerbread House Competition: Whether you’re judging who can build the best house, who can create a replica of their own, or simply who can build a gingerbread house without it falling apart, a friendly competition is sure to get everyone having fun.
- White Elephant: Pass the Parcel, Secret Santa, or whatever you want to call this Christmas game, it’s fun and a way to cut down on present costs if you’re hosting a large party. Dollar limits can be set, and the game rules can be modified to suit your liking.
Focus on Guest Comfort
Finally, make sure your guests feel truly at home during their visit. Small touches that prioritize their comfort will be appreciated and leave a lasting impression.
- Refreshments: Have a selection of drinks available, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Offer a hot beverage station with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or cider, and stock up on snacks or finger foods that guests can enjoy throughout the day.
- Personalized Touches: If you know your guests well, consider adding small touches that cater to their preferences, such as their favorite snacks, a personalized welcome note, or even a playlist with their favorite songs. The more you can tailor the experience to your guests’ tastes, the more appreciated they will feel.
- Clear Instructions: If you have multiple bathrooms, guest rooms, or areas where guests will be spending time, provide clear instructions on where everything is located. For example, leave out extra blankets, set up a drink station, or make sure guests know where to find bathroom essentials.
Holiday home prep is all about creating a warm, welcoming, and festive atmosphere for your guests. By taking the time to clean, decorate, organize, and plan ahead, you can ensure that both you and your guests have a memorable and stress-free holiday season. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a larger celebration, the effort you put into preparing your home will not only create a comfortable environment but will also give you the peace of mind to enjoy the festivities and focus on the people you care about most. Happy holidays and happy hosting!
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