The holidays are synonymous with family get-togethers, impromptu social gatherings, parties, overnight guests, and the like. As such, your house has to be on its best behavior and ready to go at a moment’s notice. This handy room-by-room guide will help you create a holiday-ready home the easy and stress-free way. After all, there’s no place like home for the holidays.
Start at the heart of it all.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so have the whole family chip in to give the space a good clean beforehand. Because you’ll be cooking and storing more food than usual, it’s a great time to upgrade your stove, refrigerator, and freezer. Try and plan big meals ahead of time with a recipe list so that you’ll know exactly how many dishes you’ll be cooking — and how much heavy lifting your appliances need to do.
Consider renting a new dining set for the kitchen or dining area if you’ll have more people gathering around the table than usual.
Freshen up your living room.
Whether unwrapping presents around the tree or gathering on the sofa to watch the game, everyone will be spending lots of time in this space. Simple things like new pillow covers, a bright rug, or a cozy throw in holiday shades can help to tie the room together.
If it’s time to update your TV, consider opting for a big-screen model so that everyone gets a good view of the action. If lots of kids are coming, a video game system can help keep boredom at bay. And make sure there’s at least one comfy place to sit for Grandpa or Grandma.
Feather your bed and bath for your guests.
If your guest room could use some sprucing up, a new set of cozy flannel sheets is a good place to start. Wash all your pillows, and make the room feel like a home away from home with a vase of dried or fresh flowers, a stack of books, and bottled water on the bedside table.
If you really need to revamp the space, it’s as good a time as any to swap out your mattress or even update your bedroom set to give the room a complete makeover. Remember, you’ll want your guests to feel as if they have a place to call their own during their stay.
The bathroom is another area you’ll need to prep for heavy traffic. Give it a good declutter first. Follow up by cleaning or replacing the shower curtain and adding new guest towels. Make sure you have plenty of toiletries for everyone, and invest in a holiday-themed scented candle to keep the room smelling sweet. Small touches like these will go a long way in helping your guests get in the holiday spirit.
