Tips for Decorating Guest Rooms for Christmas

Hosting guests this Christmas? Make every moment of their holiday visit special with these tips for decorating Christmas guest rooms. Decorating a Christmas guest room needn't be expensive or time consuming. Use small pieces to create a festive guest room. Place a few holiday pillows on the beds and couches or use red and green pillow covers. Cover side tables with Christmas table clothes or holiday fabric. If you have young children, let them help by making holiday drawings to hang on the walls. Set up a miniature Christmas tree for the room. You can decorate it yourself, or provide miniature Christmas ornaments so your guests can decorate it.

Decorate smart. While Christmas decorations liven up guest rooms for the holidays, it's important not to go overboard decking the halls. Never overload tables, dressers, countertops, or other useful surfaces with decorations. Be sure to leave enough space so anything decorated can still be used. Keep guests allergies and preferences in mind when choosing Christmas candles and potpourris. Avoid using overpowering scents and just use enough of a scent to make the room smell festive not oppressing. Also, be sure guests have access to storage space for any gifts they may bring.

If you're comfortable with guests drinking in their room, place a hot water machine or coffee maker in the room with some pouches of instant cocoa, Christmas tea, or apple cider and a clean holiday mug for each guest.

Think of visiting young children when decorating your Christmas guest room. Use decorations and ornaments that won't be easily broken or swallowed. Leave an outlet open for a night light. If your young guest has a favorite character include a decoration that features him or her.

If you have a CD player in the room, place a few CDs of holiday favorites nearby or make a mix CD just for the room. Christmas DVDs are also a great way to keep guests in the holiday spirit and entertained while you're at work or away. You can check these out at the video store or library if you don't have any on hand. If you plan on watching a Christmas favorite together, keep it separate so your guests can view it fresh with family and friends.

If you're hosting guests from out of town, make a holiday town tip sheet. Know the best place for gift wrap in your town? A local station that plays all Christmas music during the holidays? The best place to get a frozen hot chocolate with marshmallow fluff? Write down or print out your best tips for touring the town. Be sure to include dates, times, and addresses for local holiday events and any other information your guests may need. You can put your tips in a holiday treat and necessity bag for your guest's arrival. Include a map of town, important emergency phone numbers and addresses, as well as fun Christmas candies and treats. Package in a festive holiday bag or stocking and place on each guest's pillow or under their miniature tree.