Holiday Houseguests Ready Or Not Here They Come
For many of us, the holidays are synonymous with houseguests. This can be a mixed blessing. When we allow ourselves to get so bogged down in the details of hosting that we forget to enjoy our time with our guests, the typically joyous occasion can become seriously stressful. But with a little forethought and consideration, you can get your home houseguest ready—then kick back and enjoy every minute you have with your friends and family this holiday season.
Think of all those chores, home repairs, and DIY projects loitering on the back burner. Impending houseguests can serve as the kick in the pants you’ve been waiting for to get them done. Give your kitchen cabinets a fresh coat of paint. Wake up that tired flowerbed. Or give your house that deep cleaning that’s going to put fresh wind in your sails. (Easier still, pay a pro to take care of it!)
If your guests are of the overnight variety, consider these ten tips for making them feel at home in your house.
1. Find out beforehand what types of snacks your guests enjoy and whether they have any dietary limitations. Do they have a favorite wine or beer you can stock for them?
2. Plan a range of potential activities for your guests, from a simple shopping excursion to a cocktail party or day- trip to an amusement park. Consider what things make your town unique and make plans for your guests to experience them, if they so choose.
3. If your guests include children, make accommodations for them, too. Have games and coloring books on hand. Rent a family-friendly movie or plan an age-appropriate craft. If you’ll be attending a holiday party with the parents, find the names of a few responsible local babysitters who can watch the kids.
4. If your guest room sheets have been on the bed awhile, give them a wash. They may be stale smelling. Provide plenty of extra blankets and comforters.
5. Offer current magazines or perhaps a book of short stories in the guest room in case your guest has trouble sleeping, or they rise earlier or go to sleep later than you.
6. Provide a basket with bottled water and snacks, as well as toiletries such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, lotion, aspirin, toothpaste, dental floss, or toothbrushes they may have forgotten.
7. Provide closet and dresser space for your guests, or at least a flat surface to open their suitcase and live out of it.
8. Place nightlights around your house so guests can find their way around at night.
9. Post your Wi-Fi network name and password in the guest room, and make sure a power outlet is accessible for chargers.
10.Guests are a perfect excuse to splurge on cute Thanksgiving or Christmas dishtowels, the holiday dishware you’ve always wanted, or a larger than usual Christmas tree. After all, you’re not doing it for yourself. It’s for your guests, right?
And whatever you do, never underestimate the charm of fresh flowers in the guest room and throughout the house. Lastly, remember that the most inviting thing about your home should be you. Hosting isn’t about impressing someone with how Martha Stewart you can be, but rather about letting them know you love and value them enough to want your house to feel like their home away from home.
