This is pretty much the busiest time of year for everything. Food shopping, travel, gift buying--everyone is on the move with someone to see or a holiday party to attend. Oftentimes, this means that you'll have guests--some expected, some unexpected...so it's good to just make sure your home is ready for a surprise visitor or two. Not only will doing these things help you feel more relaxed but it will also make your guests more comfortable while they're in your home.

This first one is hard for the "unexpected guest" scenario but should be number one when it comes to expected or invited visitors--clean up! While guests may make your home messy, it's always nice for them to be welcomed into a clean home. The little things like a clean bathroom, dishes put away, fluffed pillows, and dusted furniture will immediately make them feel more comfortable in your home because a clean home is a welcoming home. Since we all don't always keep a pristine home when it's just us, tidying up before guests arrive may be more difficult if the guest is unexpected so maybe the holidays is a good time to try to be more aware of the types of messes that are left. Smaller messes are easier to clean up quickly when surprise visitors show up on your doorstep.

A good host always has food in her pantry to feed guests. Since we've already discussed that we don't always know when guests are going to arrive, try to keep some items in your pantry or freezer that will keep for a while but can be prepared quickly. Quick meals like spaghetti or soup are easy comfort foods that can be made with little hassle if you need to feed your son's friends who show up from college a day early or the parent of one of your kid's playmates. Now, if you know guests are coming to stay for a little visit, you have more time to prepare and should be able to stock your pantry with the essentials. Since everyone doesn't always wake up at the same time, it's nice to have quick and easy breakfast foods and snacks that guests can grab without bothering you about it.

You can also do these little things at the beginning of the holiday season to make preparation for any guests that might arrive and stay overnight--put clean sheets on the bed. Maybe you haven't had guests in a few months and the sheets got a little stale. Swap them out so that holiday guests have fresh sheets to sleep on. The same thing goes for the towels in the guest bath. Give the ones that have been sitting there un-used another wash just to fluff them up. Place little conveniences in your guest bathroom--small bars of soap or travel size shampoos, so guest have the essentials available to them if they forgot something at home.

We love a cozy home filled with laughter and smiles so we hope these little tips will help make your holiday season more enjoyable! Happy December 1st, everyone!

The Holidays Are Here | Prep for Guests