The holiday season is supposed to be a time of celebration. But there’s no doubt that the holidays can be stressful if you are planning on hosting friends and family in your home. Don’t let this stress put a damper on your holiday cheer. Proper preparation is the key to taking the stress out of hosting guests during the holiday season. Here are 9 ways to prepare your home for Christmas house guests:
Declutter
The first step in preparing your home for Christmas guests is decluttering. Move from room to room and pick up toys, games, stacks of papers, and other clutter. Pay extra attention to countertops since this is where clutter tends to accumulate.
Sort through this clutter and throw out anything you no longer need or want. Then, find a place to store the rest of the items.
Decluttering will instantly make your home feel more open, inviting, and welcoming.
Clear the Driveway and Walkways
Many people focus solely on preparing the inside of their home for Christmas guests, but preparing the outside is just as important.
Make sure your guests can safely walk up to your front door by clearing the driveway and walkways in the days leading up to their arrival. Shovel the snow and apply salt to any areas that are covered in ice.
If you live in a warmer climate, you should clear the driveways and walkways of leaves, twigs, and other debris that guests could slip or trip on.
Clean Bathrooms Thoroughly
Regardless of whether they are staying for dinner or overnight, guests will need to use the bathroom at some point during their stay. Before they arrive, it’s important to clean the bathrooms thoroughly by:
- Putting out fresh towels.
- Washing the bath mats.
- Clearing off the countertops.
- Scrubbing the sink, toilet, and shower.
- Using a glass cleaner to wipe down the mirrors.
You should also stock the bathroom with extra supplies such as toilet paper and hand soap.
Make Necessary Repairs
Now is not the time to put off repairs. Prepare for your Christmas guests by fixing anything that is obviously broken around your home. This could mean replacing burnt out light bulbs, repairing leaky faucets, or stitching a ripped throw pillow seam.
Making these necessary repairs will ensure your house is in tip-top shape once your guests arrive to celebrate Christmas.
Go the Extra Mile in the Guest Bedroom
It’s important to clean the linens and make the bed if your guests plan on staying overnight. But if you really want them to feel welcome, put in a little extra effort in the guest bedroom.
For example, leave a phone charger plugged in right next to the bed in the guest bedroom. Provide your guests with plenty of soft pillows and blankets that they can use during their stay. If you want to go above and beyond, leave a basket full of toiletries they may need in the guest bedroom.
Seeing the effort you put into the guest bedroom will make your guests immediately feel right at home.
Create Space in the Guest Bedroom Closet
If your guests are staying overnight, take the time to clear out space for their belongings in the guest bedroom closet. Be sure to also leave plenty of hangers in the closet so they have everything they need to hang their clothing once they arrive.
Add Festive Holiday Décor
Make sure your guests are in the Christmas spirit by adding festive holiday décor throughout your home. You don’t have to go overboard with decorations. Try adding these holiday touches to your home:
- Hang a wreath on your front door.
- Place holiday-scented candles in the main areas of your home.
- Hang a festive garland on the fireplace mantle.
- Throw Christmas-themed pillows on the couch.
- Place poinsettia flowers on the steps leading up to the front door.
Seeing these holiday decorations will instantly fill your guests with Christmas cheer.
Spruce Up the Entryway
The foyer is the first thing that guests will see once they arrive, so make sure it warmly welcomes your guests.
Put a mat down outside your front door so guests can wipe the snow, dirt, or mud off of their shoes before entering your home.
Place hooks on your wall or invest in a rack that guests can use to hang their coats. It’s also wise to move a storage bench to this area so guests can sit down and safely remove and store their shoes.
Perform An Energy Audit
Use the HomeSelfe app to conduct an energy audit of your home in a matter of minutes. The app will ask you to answer questions regarding your appliances, insulation, and lifestyle in order to assess your energy usage. Then, the app will create a custom list of recommendations on how you can make your home more energy efficient.
Performing this audit before the holidays can help you identify and resolve issues that could make your guests uncomfortable, such as drafty rooms or cold floors. Follow these steps to ensure you are ready to welcome guests into your home for Christmas. The sooner you complete these tasks, the sooner you can stop stressing and start enjoying the holiday season!
