How to Prepare Your Home for Holiday Guests

HOSTING HACKS FOR WHEN YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS COME TO VISIT

The holidays can be STRESSFUL. Now, add taking care of the needs of a house guest.

You want to create a welcoming atmosphere while in your home but… how do you do that?

I want to share with you a few tips on how to prepare for holiday guests. You won’t have to think too hard about what they’ll need so can focus on the fun parts of the holidays.

HOLIDAY DECOR

If you’re hosting family and friends for the Holidays, your home is going to already be full of holiday cheer in the form of home décor!

Honestly, I typically only decorate the living room and the front door because it can be exhausting trying to decorate the WHOLE HOUSE.

When it comes to house guests, simple is ideal. I recommend having 2-3 small items in the guest bedroom and bathroom to bring a little holiday fun into the space.

Here, I added a small faux tree in the bathroom with a cozy scented candle from my favorite local candle store, Candlefish!

They have a location in Charleston and Atlanta and you can go to a candle making class where you can bring your own wine and charcuterie (fancy)!

I’ve taken my mom to this class and I’ve gone with a group of friends. Honestly, this would be a great experience gift for the holidays!

Need some ideas for décor to prepare for your holiday guests around your home? Check out my post on how to make a stunning Magnolia Wreath and some inspiration for your holiday gift wrapping!

THE BATHROOM BASICS

Stock up! Having a supply of back stock makes preparing for holiday guests super easy. It’s also handy for unexpected guests, any time of the year. With a back stock of supplies, you won’t stress about what to do when you have to host family or friends last minute.

Some good things to have in your back stock are:

• Travel size shampoo and conditioners
• Toothbrushes/toothpaste/floss
• Extra masks and hand santizer

In addition to backstock, general bathroom towels, handsoap, and well-stocked toilet paper, COVID permitting.

THE BEDROOM BASICS

Ideal things to have in your guest room are a place to sleep, a place to sit, and a place to put/unload clothes.

Place to Sleep

This seems obvious but, to really create a good guest experience, you need a comfy bed. Not only that, but it needs to look and feel clean.

I’ve done this in the past because I didn’t have any other option but I used some old sheets. My guests never complained but it was clear that the sheets were old, discolored, and no longer as soft after many washes.

I recently tried out Boll & Branch sheets for the first time and I have to say, I am impressed! I love that they are eco friendly and are so soft! In the colder months, I like to shift to darker sheets or flannel sheets. The one I have pictured is the Signature Fitted Sheet Set in Mineral. I love the dark color and I love how it makes the guest space feel cozy.

Don’t forget extra blankets! Everyone is either too hot or too cold so it’s better to just be ready and have a stack of cozy blankets in the guest room.

Place to Sit

I didn’t really realize how important this was until I stayed in my Nana’s guest room. She had just moved into a new home and she felt bad that I didn’t have a place to put my shoes on.

I was 19 and thought that was silly because I could just sit on the bed or just slide them on without sitting. But as I said, I was 19. If you have older guests, they will need somewhere to sit to put shoes on.

Place to Unload Clothes

When I stay at a hotel, there is always somewhere for me to set my suitcase and unload. Sometimes I’ll just live out of the suitcase for the night, or ill fill a dresser and tuck the suitcase away. A lot of people don’t like to put a dirty suitcase on their bed.

Make sure there is an elevated surface to support the weight of a suitcase and make sure there are drawers and closet space for your guests’ belongings if they choose to unpack.

EXTRAS

Obviously, this is all optional and any of these things I’ve listed here will result in grateful and impressed guests. But these tips coming up, are EXTRA. They will truly put your hosting prowess on the map.

Itinerary

People typically like to have a schedule because it takes the guesswork out of their vacation. If they already have plans great! Let them know when you all are meeting with other family members, when people are coming over, when we hope to have breakfast, things like that!

Even if your guests are visiting during COVID, make plans in your home for a hot cocoa bar, going for a neighborhood walk, or something in the home.

The SPA Treatment

Ever wonder what to do with all those fuzzy robes you get for free from Ulta sales? Keep them handy and offer them to holiday guests!

Snacks

Guests are always hungry! It’s a good idea to stock up on extra snacks to keep your guests from getting hangry.

Healthy foods like apples, bananas, and grapes are easy to grab OR you can go for my all-time favorite Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe! Who doesn’t love a house that smells like amazing chocolate chip cookies?!

Coffee

I personally don’t drink coffee but my mom does. It’s important to have some sort of coffee or tea option to get your guest’s days started off right!

Hopefully, you now feel like you know how to prepare for holiday guests! Use the checklist below to help you prep your home.

Is there a special holiday tradition you do with your holiday guests? I leave a comment below, I love hearing from you all!

HOLIDAY HOSTING CHECKLIST