Here is a quick post on how to get ready for guests this holiday! If you are expecting company and don’t know where to start getting ready, here are a few tips to help.
Its that time of the year again! Hot cocoa, pretty lights, snow, children getting riled up for presents and we can’t forget family time. Almost everybody must host guests at some point during the holidays, and in our case, this time around we get to do both, host Christmas Eve dinner, as well as welcome family to stay with us for a few weeks.
As we are getting ready for the festivities that lie ahead, we thought we might share a few tips (and a checklist) to not go insane while hosting this time of year.
- First, do not panic!!!! I know I tend to be a little bit perfectionist, ultimately trying to do too many things at one time. I’ve come to realize that I need to chill, relax and prioritize. Can you relate? Make a list of the things you need to do beforehand and try to do 1 thing at a time throughout the day or week.
- Check your house for the things you need to stock up on. Think toilet paper, towels, toothpaste and toothbrushes (someone will forget), sheets (apparently, we needed new ones), and necessary food items.
- Space your cleaning. Take the week prior to the guest’s arrival and divide cleaning. If your house has multiple levels (in our case, there are 3 including our basement) then allow 1 day for each level. Make it a general cleaning like dusting, vacuuming/sweeping and mopping (depending on your floor type). Take a separate day just for all the bathrooms in the house (yes 1 day because who likes cleaning the bathrooms, especially the tub). Not me. Calling Marido (my hubby). And that leaves you with 1 day for the kitchen. There you go, 5 days, 1 clean house. Plus you get 1 extra day if you want to be an overachiever and get in the laundry and mudroom areas. Good for you. The 7th day, well even the Lord rested (did somebody say wine?)
- Carve out a space for guests where they can feel relaxed. Make their space feel like a little retreat, whether it’s a bed or a pullout couch. Have clean towels and sheets, a bar of soap. Also having body lotion readily available would be a plus (especially for the weather).
- Invest in some paper and plastic goodies. I’m talking about plates, cups, and cutlery because you don’t want to be the last one to bed, doing dishes or loading the dishwasher. But be good with the environment and recycle.
- For food, make a menu beforehand. That way you won’t go crazy asking 10 different people what they want for lunch or dinner. Note: don’t buy specific food for specific people. I know you want to make them feel comfortable especially by purchasing their favorite items, but if you try to accommodate custom requests for each guest you WILL go broke. Also, don’t be afraid of buying already prepared food if that’s going to alleviate all the things you already have to do. We don’t judge and neither will your loved ones. Save yourself the time and stress.
- And finally, enjoy!!! Remember at the end of the day its family. They are there to spend time and enjoy with you, not to judge or make demands (hopefully!) The important thing is that you remember the time spent with each other.
And here you have it! How to get ready for guests this holiday. These are just a few tips to help you lighten the huge load of hosting this holiday season, which I’ve found have helped me during my preparation time. Here is a handy list you can Download “The Get Ready For Guests checklist” to help you along the process!
If you have any favorite tips that help you keep your sanity during the festivities, please enlighten and comment below. Found these tips helpful, comment and share. Want to see how our holidays turned out? Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to see all the blessed-fun-craziness!