How to Prepare for Holiday House Guests

The holidays are fast approaching. There are presents to buy, meals to plan, and trees to decorate. Hosting guests doesn’t always get the attention, but it’s worth putting some thought into to make sure everyone is in their top holiday spirits. Check off the notes below to make sure your home is in tip top shape this year - and some of my favorite finds to help set the stage!

Make a Strong First Impression

It’s all about the first impression, right? If you can make guests feel welcome and excited about the holiday before even entering your house, you’re doing something right. And doesn’t everyone admire that perfect entryway? I’m not talking all Griswalds, but providing some light at the front door, a welcoming mat, and a festive wreath – that all reflect your style and set the stage for the rest of your home will work. Look for a thick bristly doormat for people to get the weather off their shoes and that can withstand the unpredictable climate.

Set up the Entryway

As a guest, you walk into someone’s home all bundled with your bags. Where does your coat go? Do your shoes have to come off? Take the guesswork out of it for your guests. Make sure this area too is well lit so people aren’t scrambling and tripping in the dark. Then make it clear where they should place their their belongings. Is there an obvious coat closet nearby? If not, consider a coat rack. It is a functional accent piece that’s durable enough for heavy coats and add some character. Do you not even have room for this? A couple hooks can also do the trick! Shoes – Is there a small bin or mat that all shoes can live on for the time being? Just as important, think about if you have any extra space for a bench so there is a spot to sit when getting those big snowy boots off.

Also, adding some warmth with season items will really embrace a cozy atmosphere right upon entering. Pumpkins, garland, and plants are all easy items to swap out seasonally.

Declutter

Now is a great time to go through your main space and box up any unused items. I don’t want to get all Marie Kondo on you, but if it doesn’t serve a purpose or have any sentimental value to you, re-evaluate why it’s still there. Especially when you have house guests surfaces are at a premium and the last thing you want is to make your them feel like there isn’t room for them. I promise you in this day and age less is more and you will mentally feel less cluttered if your physical space is.

Create a Sleep Space

Wherever your guests will be sleeping be sure to give this a little extra love. It doesn’t need to be a huge space, but it’s about making them feel welcome. Think about what you love about staying at a hotel; freshly washed bedding or a crisp scent when entering? Ultimately, you’re going to want to provide a space that feels like their own and makes them relax while they are away from home. Be sure to have an extra blanket available if it gets chilly, enough pillows, maybe a night light if a switch is hard to find.

Set up the Bathroom

Whether your guests will have their own bathroom at your place during their stay or are sharing with the rest of the household, this is a key space to prep. Make sure all surfaces are clean and soap is available. Keep any toiletry items that may be needed easy to find. There is nothing worse than hunting through someone’s cabinets to locate an extra roll of toilet paper or a towel. If your kid’s bathroom doubles as a guest space make sure to clean up any bath toys to alleviate some unneeded clutter.

Wake Up to a Coffee Station

You’ll probably have an idea if your guest is an early riser before they stay over, but either way it’s a good idea to prep a space for them in the kitchen so they don’t feel they need to stay in the bedroom if they are the first ones up. Having a coffee station set up will make things easy in the morning and make them feel comfortable making some if they’d like to before you’re up. Most people will be thankful you make it easy to keep their typical routines.

The key to prepping all of the home for guests is making them feel comfortable and keeping anything they may need in an obvious spot + available. Happy Hosting!