Preparing your home for holiday guests

The following article is provided courtesy of Prudential. I wish I had known this stuff the last time my parents visited. One point not mentioned in this article: if your guest likes to cook (sometimes a real treat for you!), be sure to point out your storage plans: where are the pots and pans, utensils, spices, service items, etc. Cooks aren't hunters!

While the holiday season can bring great joy, it likewise has the ability to cause stress and frustration. Frantic shopping trips, hectic work deadlines, holiday traffic and winter weather (to name a few) are all cause for frayed nerves and shortened fuses come December. For those hosting holiday festivities at home, even more pressure is added.

Holiday guests are in a way like the holidays themselves: they bring you happiness, but at the same time can be a source of profound anxiety. So how do you welcome friends and family members into your home without losing your composure (and without making them feel like a burden)? The key is to start planning early.



The Basics

Know your plan - You don't have to have an itinerary for every minute of holiday festivity, but you should know have a general plan of attack. Make sure you have a grasp on the essentials - what you're cooking, when you're expecting guests, what activities may or may not be involved, and last but not least, what you need help with.

Know the players - Part of hosting an event is knowing what to expect from your guests. How many guests are you expecting? Are you expecting overnight guests, and if so, how many? Do you have adequate sleeping arrangements for all of the overnighters, or will alternate housing be needed? Are their transportation needs for any out-of-towners? Do any of the guests have special dietary or medical requirements?

Communicate! - The smartest (and ultimately, sanest) hosts keep their guests informed and aren't afraid to delegate important tasks. Your guests will appreciate being kept in the loop, and any work you can pass on will be that much less on your mind.

Maintenance in Advance

By checking for any need repairs or tweaks ahead of time, you won't have to worry about unpleasant surprises as the big day draws near.

Make sure outdoor walkways are clear and that all handrails are secured tightly.
Many homeowners use the garage far more than the front door. Check to make
sure all outdoor lighting is working.
Check the bathroom fan for proper ventilation.
Run the shower in the guest bathroom, checking the showerhead for leaks. Guest showers are often overlooked by homeowners if used infrequently.
Lubricate any squeaky door hinges, and look for doors that stick or don't close fully.
Open any floor or ceiling registers, clearing them of debris. This may also be an opportune time to replace the filter on your furnace or heat pump.
If you own ceiling fans, make sure they work without wobbling or squeaking. You may be able make minor repairs, but exercise caution and call in a professional if you feel uneasy.
Check the batteries in all smoke detectors. A chirping detector is sure to ruin someone's night of sleep.
If you don't already own a small fire extinguisher, purchase one and store it in an easily accessible location.
Look under all sinks for signs of leakage. The strain of additional houseguests can turn a nagging problem into a sudden disaster.
Purchase and install a simple carbon monoxide detector if you don't already own one.
If you own a wood-burning fireplace, your chimney should be cleaned every few years to prevent dangerous creosote buildup. Check to see when you last had the chimney cleaned before starting a fire.
The Week Before

Now's the time to make sure your home is guest-ready (some would say "guest-proof").

Entrance

Create an area to collect all winter jackets and warm weather gear. Add extra hangars to your coat closet and clear out any of your own coats that can be temporarily stored elsewhere. If you don't have a coat closet or space constraints are a concern, designate a room to collect jackets and scarves instead. You may also wish to consider an extra interior doormat for wet boots and shoes.
Living Area

Clean the windows inside and out.
Consider shampooing the living room carpet (easy-to-use rental units can be found in most supermarkets and home improvement stores).
Move breakable knick-knacks and decorations from low shelves or tables to more protected locations.
Bathrooms

Check to make sure you have plenty of extra towels, and that the guest bathroom is stocked with the essentials.
Have a few extra new toothbrushes in the house in case of forgetful guests or airport incidents.
Kitchen/Dining Room

Check to make sure all of your appliances are in working order.
If you'll be serving dinner, verify that you have enough seating for all of your guests. Unless your event is a formal occasion, you should be able to get by with relatively cheap folding chairs for extra seating. Talk to any guests bringing young children to see if they're bringing any special seating (booster seats, high chairs, etc.).
Make a list of where key items are located in your kitchen. Once guests are in your home this will allow people to help themselves when needed, and also to lend you a hand when it comes time for food preparation or cleanup!
Guest room(s)
Guest rooms can often be "out of sight, out of mind" for homeowners. The best way to know if you're ready for overnight guests is to spend a night (or two) in your guest room.

Is there enough ambient light at night for your guests to move around safely? If not, consider adding a nightlight.
Make sure the bedside table or nightstand includes an alarm clock and reading lamp. Check the lamp to ensure that it provides adequate lighting for nighttime reading.
Often the bed in the guest bedroom is older and less comfortable than others in the house. How good a night's sleep does your guest bed provide? If your guest bed is a little less than cozy, add a soft mattress cover. They're inexpensive and can make a questionable mattress much more comfortable.
Outfit guest beds with fresh linens, and always keep an extra blanket in every guest bedroom for guests who "sleep cold".
Clear some space in the closet or a dresser drawer to allow your guests to unpack a little. No one likes to live out of a suitcase, and allowing them extra room will make them feel more welcome.
Consider leaving magazines or books of short stories in your guest rooms. Not everyone goes to sleep on the same schedule, so providing your guests with a little night time reading material is a thoughtful gesture.
If you have out-of town visitors, think about providing a local map with your home and a few key destinations noted.
The Day Of

If you're expecting guests throughout the day, prepare a few dishes for each meal that can be made in advance and left out to snack on. For example, you can set out a coffee cake and a baked omelet for breakfast. Also consider having your guests provide the throughout-the-day fare, freeing you up to focus on dinner.
If you're too busy with other tasks to greet each and every guest, assign a family member or one of the early arrivals to the job.
The Next Day

The after-holiday period is all about relaxation, so keep it simple when it comes to your stay-over guests.

Set your coffee maker to brew earlier in the morning than you normally would choose to greet any early-risers. If your coffee maker can't be programmed for a timed brew, set it up so it's ready to go and leave a note attached.

Serve a continental breakfast: milk and fresh juice, bagels, pastries, muffins and fresh fruit. Set out plates, bowls and utensils, along with the toaster/toaster oven. Put condiments such as jam and butter in small bowls for presentation. Cereal is another good idea, and variety packs of cereal work well when you have multiple house guests.