It may only be September, but there are only 13 weeks until Christmas. I don’t know about you, but I love hosting big gatherings of family and friends around the holidays – but that doesn’t come without a little bit of stress in wanting to make sure my house is in perfect order and ready to receive guests. From a perfectly terrifying Halloween party to hosting the whole crowd for Christmas dinner, here are my best tips for preparing your home.
Declutter
When you will have extra people sharing your space, you can make your home feel bigger by decluttering. I’m not just talking about getting rid of the pile of junk mail on your dining room table but really going through your home – especially hallways and the kitchen space where everyone tends to gather – and really clearing out as much stuff as you can to give yourself and your guests room to linger.
Swap Out Décor
Instead of just adding holiday décor to what you already have out, replace your existing décor with holiday-themed choices. This will keep your walls, mantle, and table from being overwhelmed while still getting your home into the festive spirit.
Buy New Towels and Pillows
Even if you have perfectly fine pillows and towels, there is nothing more welcoming to a guest than a fresh pillow for their head and a brand-new towel set to use while they’re staying with you. If you have too many to store, consider donating them to a local shelter after your guests depart.
Make Dishes Ahead
Instead of spending all your time in the kitchen when you’d rather be visiting, make some dishes ahead of time that are sure crowd pleasers. A pan of lasagna will feed a crowd, but it takes a while to make. Make it now, cover it securely, and stick it in the freezer. Voila! Dinner is nothing more than popping a dish in the oven and browning some garlic bread. Any casserole dish or sauce (spaghetti, chili, stew) can be made ahead and heated up in the crock pot or oven for an easy meal that feeds plenty.
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