Get a Guest-Ready Home in One Week!

Day 1

If you haven't already thought of what you will be serving, now is the time to do it. Use tried and true recipes, or simply use your favorite cookbooks or online sources that you can print out and test before-hand. Make sure you know how these dishes will taste. You wouldn't want surprises at your dinner table.

Plan out what the table settings will look like. Will it simply be food and dinnerware or do you have a special table cloth to wash, a table-leaf to hunt down and centerpieces to buy or create? Plan this out early as to not be stressed with the small details of your feast. Whatever your layout, ensure this is done sooner than later. If you have a spouse or kids that are willing to help here, let them!

If you have a guest room or a specific bedroom where guests will stay, now is a good time to think about what sheets you want in the bedroom and what other essentials will be in that room. This might sound trivial but you do not want to deal with this while they are enjoying their stay or at the height of all of your To-Do's. Now is the time to decide if you want to place fresh flowers in the room, an alarm clock, bible, magazines, Kleenex, hangers for their clothes and maybe an ironing board and iron if you have an extra set. Make sure their bedside lamps have bulbs in them that work and that the room is free of dust, dirt and disorganization. Nobody likes to stay in a make-shift room. A CD player with some soft CD's is a nice touch and will give your guest some ambience.

Day 2

Start doing your major cleaning that won't be hindered by kids and/or your spouse or room mate. If the grass needs a good cut, if there is a pile of garbage in the garage where you'd like your guest to park or perhaps too much "stuff" in your foyer closet, now is the time to address it. I guarantee you'll find other things to fuss over later.

Major laundry or bedding for your guest room should be done now. If you have soiled throw pillows in a family room or dirty rugs, either wash them or replace them. In addition, make sure you have the guest hand/bath towels washed and ready to hang before they arrive.

Now is a good time to get carpet shampooed professionally or done with your own carpet steam cleaner. There is nothing worse than wandering around someone's home with soiled carpets. It really draws attention to any other dirt or mess you may have and doesn't leave your guest with a good feeling of being in your home.

Day 3

Make sure you know where all of your serving dishes are and what you will be using the day of your meal.

By now you should have tested your recipes that you will be serving if never prepared before. This gives you a chance to change what you will serve if you don't like it. It also gives you a chance to let you family, friends or neighbors be a guinea pig.

Tend to your front yard. If you are meticulous and want to make a good impression, your front yard and "curb appeal" are the first things that guests will see. Make sure your front yard is clean, neatly manicured and free of junk and toys. Keep all garbage in the garage unless it is garbage day, then take it to the curb. This is a good time to make sure that you porch lights work.

If the elements are a concern as we approach the colder temperatures ensure you have a shovel and de-icing mix should you require this "the day-of" for your guests as well as for your own safety.

Day 4

Now is the time to start the actual cleaning process as to not be burdened with it all the "night-before". Spend today working on the bedroom. Tidy up items, toys, clothes on the floor, do necessary piled laundry, dust, vacuum and do a nice once-over of each room. You never know who will be wandering through your home looking for the washroom etc. If you truly don't feel you have the time, keep your master bedroom door shut as well as any others apart from the kids'. They will likely want to play and the door will be opened at some point.

Vacuum the rest of the house while you are working on the bedrooms and remember to dust there also. This can be a big job so after this you are free to rest and enjoy some relaxing time.

Day 5

Today is a great day to tackle the bathrooms. If you have more than one guest bathroom ensure that they are clean, organized and that there are no toiletry items on the counters. Trust me, nobody wants to know what kind of deodorant you use or the fact that you use special prescription mouthwash. Try to keep everyone out of these bathrooms if you can. Worst case, you do a quick cleaning the day of with some windex since the major cleaning is done.

Also focus on the family/TV or sitting room and ensure all clutter is removed with the essentials in this room. They would be, decorative item or two on the coffee table, chairs, couch, firewood for the fireplace if you are blessed to have one, pictures on the wall and mantle, maybe a clock and some coasters. You can have a throw rug also. Let it look like your home minus all the remotes for every electronic device and DVD's/VHS tapes and CD's scattering the wall unit and floor. Try to keep pet toys and pet beds out of this room for a cleaner, fresher look, feel free to keep the pet!

Day 6

Shop for all of the necessary groceries that you require for your feast and don't forget about the beverages, alcoholic or otherwise. Don't forget fresh flowers for your table, guest room and bathroom should you feel the urge.

Make sure you have filled all of your ice trays for the beverages and ensure you have all the necessities for after dinner drinks ie: coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider etc.

Now is a good time to get the table ready. Set the table with all place settings, place cards, candles, centerpieces, and napkins. Don't forget the tablecloth! If you require chair cushions make sure these are clean and ready today also. If you have room you can leave some of your serving dishes with hot-pot pads underneath. The more you do today, the less you need to do tomorrow.

Make sure the guest room is ready for someone to use it today. Take the lodging part out of the equation today.

Thaw your main course if necessary-ie: turkey etc.

Day 7-The "Day Of"

Start your food preparations early and cook your main dish early if required such as a turkey.

Ensure all areas including the dining room are clutter free (see Day 5 point #2) and that kids' toys are ALL out of sight and in their toy room or bedroom.

Sweep the porch and shake out the small scatter rugs and welcome mats. If need be have your spouse, kids or yourself do a quick vacuum if absolutely necessary.

Empty all garbage in the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and office etc and bring it to the garage or shed.

If your clean bathrooms need a fresh up spend no more than 5 minutes in each one by taking paper towel and Windex to clean mirrors, countertops and toilet seats. Quickly place non-counter items under the counter or in a closet out of sight. Everything else will likely still be guest-friendly. One last Tip: Make sure there is adequate toilet paper in each bathroom!

Have yourself and the family dressed at least one-hour before guests arrive as some people might show up early.

Light some candles, spray some room freshener around the house, light the fireplace, turn on the porch light if necessary and set out some appetizers if that was in your plan. Ensure drinks are chilling one hour before guests arrive.

Ensure all beds are made and 15 minutes prior to your guest's arrival do a quick walk-around outside and inside to ensure everything is in its place.

RELAX, ENJOY and HAVE FUN! The hard stuff is done and look what YOU accomplished! I recognize that many of you have day jobs that do not allow for all-day cleaning sprees, thus my one-week list allows for clean-up in 90 minutes or less each day. You'll still have time with your spouse, kids and a life all while preparing for your big day.