Ways to Create a Guest-Friendly Home

The holidays are here. You may be ready (and you would be in the minority) but is your home ready? In all the hustle and bustle of preparing for big day dinners such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, sometimes the home only gets cleaned and that is it.

There are ways to make sure your home is welcoming and none take a lot of effort, time or money.

Ways to make your home be more guest friendly- first impressions

I know -I know, we try to instill in our children that first impressions are not always fair, but it is the holidays and here in your home, they matter- a lot.
Place focus on the entryway and front porch area- the first thing guests see upon entering your home. Sweep leaves up, dust away cobwebs from the doorbell and corners. Shake out the doormat. (We have vacuumed and used a pressure washer on ours-it looks brand new!) Clear the entryway of the clutter of mail, keys, shoes, etc. Make sure all light bulbs are working. (Again, we just did that this weekend... two were out.)

Ways to make your home be more guest friendly- decorate

Do you have plants that have seen better days surrounding your front windows? Pull the dead leaves off, completely remove dead flowers (the impatiens are long gone) and plant some mums. Place pumpkins or poinsettias around the windows or porch. Fill baskets with those leaves you swept (or raked) up and place a gourd or two in the center. If you are one to use a real tree and not artificial, feel the basket with the pine leaves you cut off to make it level and secure in your tree stand. We have hanging baskets that we place our pine in every year: not only does it look inviting, but it smells nice, too.

Ways to make your home be more guest friendly- create space

The holidays fall in the fall and winter months. That has never and will not ever change. Create space for guests in your coat closet before they arrive. Place your family's extra coats and what not (every closet is full of what nots) in your back bedroom closet for now.

Ways to make your home be more guest friendly- gathering spot

Is your living room a tight fit? Rearrange the furniture before any guests arrive to maximize conversation areas- and yes, less lounging- in- front- of- the- television comfort. Chairs can easily be turned around to watch the game when the time is right.

Ways to make your home be more guest friendly- be quick to impress

There is no need to spend hours cleaning a bathroom. You clean it regularly to begin with, right? Put toilet bowl cleaner in the toilet, while that is working its magic, put out new soaps and towels. Give a quick wipe down to the counters and the faucet (do not forget behind the faucet) and you are done. Keep the shower curtain shut.

Ways to make your home be more guest friendly- cool down

You're tired from all the running around and preparing right? Two hours before guests are due to arrive turn down the thermostat in your home. This will prevent the home from overheating as well as the guests, once everyone has arrived and the oven is cooking the perfect turkey.

Ways to make your home be more guest friendly- have sense with scents

There is no need to light every candle in the house. If there is going to be a full house, accidents and mishaps can occur. Bath and Body works has the wonderful scents you plug in to outlets. (My personal favorite is the sandalwood vanilla.) Moreover, you want people to smell the turkey and all the fixing not be overpowered by too many scents.

Enjoy the holidays.