Are you ready for the holidays? With Thanksgiving right around the corner and Christmas and other December holidays following soon after, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. This may especially be true if you are planning to host one or more holiday get-togethers. Holiday hosting may be stressful and time-consuming if you already have a tight schedule.
You don’t need to let a hectic schedule get in the way of having fun with friends or family, though.
Camilla Cheung, an avid DIY-er and featured author on Apartment Therapy, Good Housekeeping & Country Living, shares excellent tips for making your home cozy and comfortable for your guests on budgeting website, Wise Bread.
Prepare your home for guests and keep celebrations going smoothly by following these easy tips and tricks for stress-free holiday hosting:
- Keep cozy throw blankets on hand and make sure they’re easily accessible. They’re perfect for napping and lounging.
- Stock up on slippers in various sizes and keep them in a basket by the door. This will save your floor or carpet from wet, muddy boots while warming your guests’ feet.
- Provide warm drinks. With a kettle for hot water, packets of hot chocolate and tea, and a carafe of hot coffee (along with cups nearby so guests can serve themselves), you’ll be all set.
- Spruce up your front door with a festive, seasonal wreath.
- Supply extra necessities – or ensure your guests have easy access to them. Having shampoo, soap, towels, and even extra toothbrushes and toothpaste, will help them feel at home.
- If your guests include children, set out age-appropriate games and activities for them. Games are great for keeping them entertained while the adults socialize.
- Make sure you have plenty of snacks (and a variety of them!) for all hours of the day. You’ll want to be prepared for the inevitable midnight snacker, for example.
- Keep an assortment of classic holiday and/or family-friendly movies available to pop into the Blu-ray/DVD player for a downtime activity.
- Delegate so you can enjoy spending time with your guests as well. As Cheung states in her article, “Getting everyone involved evokes togetherness and holiday spirit, and prevents you from going crazy.”
- Other than the main holiday meal, consider serving simple meals, or even ordering takeout. Since you are already providing your guests with a place to stay and food to eat, no one should be offended if each meal isn’t 5-star quality.
Are you hosting guests for the holidays? What tips would you add?