With the holidays in full swing everyone is rushing to make sure their homes are ready to entertain. Family and friends will soon be gathering around your table which means lots of feet will be shuffling through your home, before the party starts make sure you’re prepared with this quick checklist.
Make A Grand Entrance
When getting our homes ready for the holidays many of us tend to focus our energy exclusively inside, but the outside of your home is the first thing guests will see. Get the exterior of your home ready for visitors by making sure the area near your front door is clean and tidy. Sweep steps and decorate the porch area and door to make a great first impression. For an extra touch add ribbons to your mailbox, it makes a simple yet festive decoration and also says “the party is here!”. Small touches like personal decorations can make a big difference and your guests are sure to notice the effort put into preparing your home.
Prepare Guest Spaces
If family or friends will be staying at your home, make sure spaces for them are ready. Stock up on supplies and make it easy for guests to find necessities such as towels, shampoo, toilet paper and extra bedding. Make room in your coat closet or create a space for guests to leave jackets and other personal belongings when they enter the home. In guest rooms make sure there’s empty drawers or closets for guests to unpack, no one likes to live out of their suitcase.
Make Sure You Have Enough Furniture
If you have a big family or plan to have a large gathering this holiday season, make sure you have enough furniture for everyone. Check the furniture you already have to see how it’s holding up, repair or replace chairs that rock because of uneven legs and try to buff out any scratches. Fold out tables and chairs are great for setting up last minute seating for parties, especially for the kids table. Round tables are ideal for small holiday gatherings, they’re intimate and allow everyone to easily hold conversations. Rectangular tables are better for entertaining large groups of people. Place furniture in small groups to create multiple areas for guests to relax and interact.
Give Your Plumbing A Checkup
Plumbing is often something that we neglect until it becomes a problem, for most of us it tends to be “out of sight, out of mind”. The holiday season is a busy time for plumbers; emergencies arise and you suddenly find yourself with a house full of guests and no working bathroom. Clean drains and garbage disposals to avoid clogs or backup, and make sure that showers and toilets are in working order. While you’re at it stock bathrooms with a plunger so guests can avoid the awkward situation of having to ask for one if needed.
Cleaning And Decluttering
Getting rid of clutter is imperative for maximizing party space, start in entertaining areas by removing old magazines or anything that’s just taking up space. Be critical of what you put back, over the holidays lots of new items make their way into our homes — leaving us with an abundance of stuff. Before the festivities start thoroughly clean each room paying attention to floor space, you want your rooms to feel open and inviting. Go room by room doing basics such as dusting, vacuuming and cleaning windows.
Get The Kitchen Ready
Prepare yourself for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season by getting your kitchen in top shape. Clean out your fridge and wipe down shelves with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water to get rid of any sticky messes. Be honest with yourself and throw out anything that isn’t getting used or items that have expired, that old jar of jelly is just taking up space that could be used for side dishes. Clean the exterior of the fridge, getting rid of any clutter such as old coupons and wipe down all surfaces like counters. Stock the pantry with snacks for guests and take inventory to make sure you have everything you need to prepare your holiday meals, replace any spices that have been sitting for too long.
Preparing for the holidays can be a stressful time but following this checklist will have your home ready to entertain in the blink of an eye. Knowing your home is ready for guests will put your mind at ease and allow you to enjoy the company of those gathered in your home to celebrate the holiday season.
Kacey Mya Bradley is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective. Throughout her life, she has found excitement in the world around her. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations, cultures, and styles, while communicating these endeavors through her passion for writing and expression. Her love for the world around her is portrayed through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. You can follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.
