Is Your Home Guest Ready for the Holidays?

Hosting holiday events brings enough excitement for you and your family, so don’t let the planning for the day or your guests get the best of you. Let us help you remove unnecessary stress even before your first guests arrive! 

While you probably have a great idea of what your holidays will look like, without the right planning, you could end up with Aunt Carla sitting next to Uncle Bob again (we all know how that went last year). Let's not do that again, please. Removing any task that can be done before guests arrive will free you up to have more time with family and friends.

Here are a few short tips, tricks, and things to avoid to help make you're hosting this year easy while spreading the excitement of the season. 

Create a “Cheat Sheet” for Your Guests

One of the biggest aspects of being a great host is the communication level and the ability to predict what your guests will need before they have to ask for it. As a guest, it is difficult to feel like you are not “overstepping” by asking questions or stating what they may need. A cheat sheet will give your guests a sense of comfort knowing you've already thought about their needs in advance. 

Some items you may want on your sheet are as listed: 

• Custom door code- Make one beforehand. 
• Alarm system information
• Wi-Fi information/password
• Pets in the home (indoor/outdoor instructions)
• Parking instructions 
• Cell phone/work address (in case of emergency)
• Anything specific to your home

Guest Room Preparedness 

The guest room should be the most comfortable place for your guest. Make sure it's lovely, but also functional and most of all welcoming. Most important in the guest room is the mattress, one we recommend is Signature Design by Ashley, it's comfortable and inexpensive to its counterparts. Make sure your bedding is simple, clean, and cozy!  Bedsure White duvet cover makes a beautiful addition to your guest room, making it easy to wash all bedding when guests come and go!

Here are a few extras to keep in mind:

• Decor - keep decor minimal (think hotel)
• Towels/wash clothes - lay out towels and washcloths upon their arrival (you can put extra in the bathroom) 
• Toiletries - lay out toiletries they may need (i.e. - toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, feminine products, tissues, toilet paper)
• Hangers - have hangers already waiting for your guest in their closet
• Snacks - traveling can be exhausting, but also make your guests hungry! Provide light snacks (crackers, pretzels, sweets, water bottles, coffee, etc.)
• Entrainment - if you have an additional tv for the guest room, make sure it’s ready to use

Pro tip: Use new unopened hotel toiletries. Provide extra blankets and pillows in their closet space so guests don't have to go looking for them. 

Pre-planning your Holiday Decor

Decorating while guests are present can make everyone feel as if they are supposed to be helping, but realistically most guests will just be in the way of your decorating. Avoid the hassle by extending your dining room table, decorating, and meal planning long before the guest arrives. Pre-planning will make you look like the expert your mother-in-law believes you to be. (You're welcome)

Pro tips:

• Plan the menu and purchase all ingredients. 
• Have your scents ready according to the holiday or your preferences. 

Here are my favorites! 

Woodwick Pumpkin Butter

Woodwick Ellipse Wood Smoke

Planning for the Visit

Lastly, plan accordingly for your guest visit. If guests will be in town for more than a couple of days, make sure you adjust your schedule and help make some plans for any sightseeing. 

Things to consider:

• Check hours of operation for points of interest
• Book tickets for events or attractions 
• Check flight arrivals/departure times

Now that you have your home guest ready, start making some memories and share your pictures with us! 

If you have topics you would like to see from our team, let us know by leaving us a comment or sending an email to admin@people1strealtygroup.org.

---

Some of my top picks for my guest bedroom and bath are in the links below! 

Signature Design by Ashley- Great mattress and a super competitive price for the quality.

Bedsure White duvet cover - Duvet covers are fantastic for keeping your expensive duvets from the washer or cleaners every other week. 

Luxury Bed Sheets Cooling Sheets Set- 100% bamboo, you will love these as much as I do!

American Soft Linens - Beautiful bath towels that you can choose in your favorite color.

YUSOKI Luxury Double Sided Faux Fur Throw- Luxuriously soft- seriously!

JIUXCF Velvet Hangers, Non-Slip Felt- These are the best for those difficult to hang sweaters and are super gentle on all materials. 

Round Bubble Balloon Vase Glass Jug Vases for Coffee Table Fireplace Mantel Entryway Living Room Bedroom Office Kitchen- I am in love with these, so versatile and you can change their look every season. 

Here are my favorite scents

Woodwick Pumpkin Butter

Woodwick Ellipse Wood Smoke