With the festive season almost upon us, folks are focusing on holiday decorating, cooking, baking and perhaps even making room for overnight guests, That could be tending to household repairs, such as an underperforming water heater or other HVAC and appliance repairs. If that's your case, it's best to take care of them now, before the holiday season kicks into full gear.
Let's take a look at what else you can do to make your home holiday-ready:
Let's take a look at what else you can do to make your home holiday-ready:
Get Your Home Holiday Ready
Create A Warm Welcome
When people pull up to your driveway, you want them to feel welcomed. Lining your drive with well-placed solar lights is most welcoming, as is a well-decorated front porch. Adding poinsettias, wreaths and topiaries is an easy way to create a festive look to your home's exterior entry, as is Christmas lights and other fun and festive decor.
  4 Pc. Prelit Greenery Set, amazon.com |
  Set of 2 3-Foot Pre-Lit Decorated Trees, amazon.com |
The next step is to declutter the front hallway, as this is the space most likely to get cluttered with shoes, bags and coats. If you don't already have one, an entryway bench with storage is a perfect solution. If space is limited, consider purchasing a few attractive storage bins so guests can have their own space for their belongings. This will make things easier to find at the end of their visit, too.
  Hall Tree with Storage Bench, Other Finishes Available, amazon.com |
  22" L x 15" x 13"H. Extra Large Woven Basket, amazon.com |
Declutter The Living Areas
Christmas is a time when plenty of clutter tends to occupy our space. A Christmas tree is obviously a beautiful focal point, presuming it’s in a clutter-free environment. However, if it’s in a room surrounded by chaos and mess, your guests may not want to spend much time there. When you consider how many gifts, discarded wrapping paper and the like will flood your space, making the area as clutter-free as possible is a wise idea. Much like hallway clutter, you can purchase storage baskets or bins to hold miscellaneous items such as spare blankets and pillows, books and magazines and other household items that tend to take up valuable space in your living areas. A large canvas bin is also a great way to remove the discarded wrapping paper as folks open presents, helping to avoid the knee-high paper pile up!
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Extra Seating
While you may have plenty of room at your dining table, you may not have as much in your living room--or vice versa. Consider the amount of seating you have vs. the number of guests you're expecting. Adding extra seating that is temporary and portable (like folding chairs) or seating that pulls double duty (like storage ottomans) are inexpensive, easy fixes to any lack of seating situation you may have.
While you may have plenty of room at your dining table, you may not have as much in your living room--or vice versa. Consider the amount of seating you have vs. the number of guests you're expecting. Adding extra seating that is temporary and portable (like folding chairs) or seating that pulls double duty (like storage ottomans) are inexpensive, easy fixes to any lack of seating situation you may have.
  Set of 4 Folding Chairs, amazon.com |
  Amazon Basics Storage Ottoman, Assorted Colors, amazon.com |
Create An Inviting Guest Room
To create an inviting guest room is often as simple as decluttering the space and adding a few extra touches, such as fresh flowers, clean towels and/or a nicely scented candle. If you want to really indulge your guests, considering ironing the bed sheets. This little trick will help to keep your linens smooth and soft, as well as prolong the life of cotton sheets.
Logistically, be sure your guest room has plenty of space for luggage, as well as closet or dresser for your guests to store their belongings. A television in the room is a nice touch, but not necessary. Do consider:
To create an inviting guest room is often as simple as decluttering the space and adding a few extra touches, such as fresh flowers, clean towels and/or a nicely scented candle. If you want to really indulge your guests, considering ironing the bed sheets. This little trick will help to keep your linens smooth and soft, as well as prolong the life of cotton sheets.
Logistically, be sure your guest room has plenty of space for luggage, as well as closet or dresser for your guests to store their belongings. A television in the room is a nice touch, but not necessary. Do consider:
- Comfortable seating
- An alarm clock
- Reading and writing material
- Snacks and candy
  Bamboo Garment Rack, amazon.com |
  Luggage Rack With Storage Shelf, amazon.com |
Clean Out The Fridge
At Christmastime, there’s so much good food to be had. Whether it’s food that you are preparing yourself or that guests are pot luck-ing along, you'll want to make sure you have adequate space to store all of that deliciousness in a convenient and stable way. Throughout your guests' stay, be sure to tidy up the fridge now and again, as plates, serving dishes and storage containers are bound to start stacking up. Toss any leftovers that are past their prime, and freeze anything that can be frozen, such as prepared meat, veggies and desserts.
And of course, make sure you have enough take-along containers for leftovers!
What are some of the things you do to get your home ready for the holidays? Let us know in the comments below.
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