How to Prepare for Houseguests

Holidays are coming and that may mean houseguests may be coming to your home soon as well. There is already so much to do at holiday time, it may seem like there is no time to prepare for holiday houseguests. Here are a few suggestions to help you organize and prepare.

The Guest Bedroom

This is the first place to start. Take a good look at the room your houseguests will be staying in. If it will be a bedroom that is someone else's, like one of your kids, then you need to organize and put away things. Try using storage bins with lids to store extra toys, and books. Get another storage bin for miscellaneous items that can be removed easily and will reduce clutter in the room. Guests will understand that the room is actually someone else's bedroom, not an actual guest bedroom. But your visitors will also appreciate a clean and clutter free atmosphere to relax in at night.

Make sure all linen for the bed is clean and washed. If you can afford it, a brand new set of sheets and pillowcases can be a treat for your houseguests.

Have some fresh flowers in a pretty vase displayed on a table or dresser.

Make sure there is an extra blanket folded and on a shelf or in the closet where guests can easily get it.

Vacuum carpeting, or better still, have it steam cleaned. Clean carpet will make your houseguests feel comfortable in walking around in bare feet! If you can afford it, have the entire carpeting throughout your home steam cleaned.

Dust and polish all the furniture. To quickly remove clutter from dresser and tabletops, use decorative boxes, such as a Christmas gift box, to hide the miscellaneous items in. You can stack two or three boxes on top of each other as a cute decorative piece. When your houseguests leave, it will be easy to take the items back out of the boxes.

Make sure you remove clothing hanging in the closet so that there is ample room for your guest's coats, sweaters, dresses, suits, etc. Hang extra hangers inside the closet.

Leave out a scented candle or two.

Put a book or two out on the nightstand.

The Bathroom

If possible, buy new towels and hand towels for the bathroom.

Have new unused soaps displayed in a tray or small basket.

Have new unopened bottles of shampoo and conditioner.

Have new toothbrushes and toothpaste displayed in a toothbrush caddy.

Have several clean and soft towels for baths and showers rolled and displayed in a large basket.

Have all carpets clean and floors washed.

Make sure the shower is sparkling as well as the bathtub.

Leave some lightly scented potpourri out in a small basket or bowl.

Your preparations will be well worth the time and effort when you see how welcome and comfortable your houseguests will feel while visiting.