What You Need to Have to be Prepared for Holiday Guests

The Holidays are almost here. Thanksgiving then Christmas means a lot of unexpected guests. You can make sure you're ready for guests just by stocking up on some essential things to make them feel welcome even if you weren't expecting anyone.

Stock up your pantry and freezer. To be able to put out a little spread without any extra effort so some quick shopping now I keep jars of olives, black and stuffed as well as green olilves. It's always good to have some cheeses. Cheeses keep for quite a while. A Cheddar and a soft cheese like Brie work well since they can be stored for awhile. Dips come in handy. I keep at least two around in the fridge. Keep a jar of marinated artichokes in the pantry. You can make a quick antipasto with this and the olives. If you keep some bags of pretzels and potato chips around you can put these out on a platter with the dips in a New York minute. I make sure I have a can of assorted nuts, usually dry roasted but the regular old salty nuts are fine. I keep most of this in the pantry (not the cheese). In the fridge I keep some Pepperidge Farm Grands and Cinnamon Rolls as well as a roll of those sugar cookies that bake up so easily. Given enough notice you can even decorate the cookies . If you don't have time they still make a nice quick sweet. Soda is easy enough to keep on hand, diet and regular. I always have a box of chocolates in the freezer . They keep for quite a long time in there and I can give them as a last minute gift or bring them out as a quick desert. A frozen pie is easy to bake up last minute as well. I also have chocolate covered mints in the pantry. Wrapped pepperoni or salami sausage meat works well and keeps forever. They can be put out on a platter and keep guests fed.

For serving I always have a pretty pack of napkins. You can pick them up at the after Christmas sales for next year now that you are thinking along the be prepared for guests line. Meanwhile, the grocery store always has some so you can get while you're stocking up on easy quick refreshments. Fabcric napkins are fine it's just easier to do paper when you're in the Holiday rush mode.

Now , keep in mind, you might have people stop by with a present or two and perhaps you've forgotten them on your Christmas list. To keep from feeling like you're on the spot keep a nice coffee table book, a book of great photography or something recent from the best seller list around. A book is basically neutral and makes a gift for young and old. I just put a nice, french ribbon around these so I can see what they are when I look in my storage closet gift area. Again, that box of candy can be a gift. I also keep a child's book or two around in case they come with children. These are nice as a gift for the kids or as something to keep them entertained if your friends pop in with little ones..

Now if a Holiday visit turns into a sleep over I keep certain things in the guest bedroom as well as the guest bathroom. I always have extra new toothbrushes and new toothpaste tucked away. I fresh razor, shaving cream, travel size mouth wash, body lotion, shampoo and nice liquid soaps at the ready. You just never know when people will be stranded by the weather and make you an instant innkeeper. I keep fresh towels in the guest room closet, extra blankets, and even a body pillow . Not that I want people to stay forever but I like to make them comfortable and it makes things easier for me. I don't have to run around last minute rounding up items people need. I' m always prepared.