As Christmas approaches, most of us have a huge to-do list and lots to think about. You might be busy writing cards, buying and wrapping gifts, tidying, and decorating your home, and getting organised and ready to attend Christmas events at school or work. If you have family visiting for the holidays, you’ll have something extra on your to-do list. You’ll need to prepare your home for guests and get your guest room ready so that they feel loved and cared for at this magical time of the year. Here’s a look at some of the things that you need to do to prepare your home for guests this Christmas.
Clean and Tidy Before Decorating
You might want to get your Christmas tree and decorations up as early as possible so that you can enjoy them for longer. But you’ll also want to have a clean and tidy home when you welcome your guests. Cleaning and tidying are much trickier once your shelves are filled with Christmas cards, and there are decorations everywhere.
Before decorating, have a good clean, organise things like shelving and cupboards, and tackle any once-a-year deep cleaning jobs.
Give the Guestroom a Deep Clean
If your guest room isn’t used regularly, it might be musty and need a good airing. Open the windows, dust, vacuum, and wipe down any sides. Change the bedding, even if it hasn’t been used, and generally give the room a good clean so that it smells fresh and the air feels clean.
Consider a Sofa Bed
A small spare room, or no spare room at all, doesn’t mean that your guests need to sleep on the sofa or floor. Buying a sofa bed is an excellent idea. It’ll double up as extra seating during the day and give the guests a comfortable bed for the night.
Add Some Storage
Your guests are going to arrive with luggage, especially if they are staying for a few days. Having to live out of a suitcase won’t make them feel at home. Add some storage, like a shelf, a bedside table, and some drawers or a wardrobe to your spare room so that they can unpack and settle in for the holidays.
Stock up on Towels
Chances are your guests are coming armed with gifts and cards, as well as chunky winter outfits. The last thing that they’ll want to have to pack, especially if they are travelling on public transport, is big towels to shower with. But if you want to really look after your guests, you shouldn’t offer them scratchy old towels. Instead, treat them with some luxury soft bath towels to make them feel special, such as ones from UK store The Towel Shop, and make sure you leave them on the guest beds so that they know they are free to use them.
Make Sure Your Bathroom is Well-Stocked
Adding some extra toiletries to your bathroom, or leaving them in the guest room, means that your guests don’t need to bring their own, or that they won’t have to worry if they forget anything.
Check Your Kitchenware
Another thing that you should check and stock up on before your guests arrive is tableware, cups, glasses, and anything else that you might need. Make sure you’ve got more than enough of everything, so everyone can use matching tableware and you don’t need to rush off and wash up between courses.
Add Seating Options
Seating can be a big problem when we have guests, especially if everyone is sitting down for a big meal together like on Christmas day. Make sure you have enough dining chairs, but also more comfortable seating options so that everyone can relax and enjoy their day.
If you don’t have space for permanent seating, consider things like fold-up or stackable chairs that can be packed away when they aren’t needed, or seating that can be moved into different rooms once your guests have gone home.
Clear Space by Your Door
Most families keep coats and shoes by the door, on mats, racks, and hooks. During winter, this area can get very muddy and messy, as we walk in dirt from the outdoors. But at least having this area helps to keep the rest of your house tidy.
If there’s no space here for your guests to remove shoes and hang coats, the rest of your house will get muddy and cluttered very quickly.
Clear space by packing away any coats and shoes your household won’t need for the duration of your guest’s stay.
Having guests stay for Christmas can make the occasion even more magical and give you a fantastic way to spend some quality time having fun with your loved ones. Preparing your house before their arrival means that you can make them feel comfortable, and enjoy a stress-free holiday together.
