The holiday season is just around the corner, and there are a few things that tend to come with it – twinkling lights, Christmas trees, cozy nights in, and guests. Lots of guests. Whether they’re coming for a couple of hours or the entire festive period, you’ll want to make sure your home is prepared for them so they’re comfortable and you can feel relaxed because everything looks and feels good. With that in mind, keep reading to find out where to start when it comes to preparing your home for the holidays.
Make It Cozy
If there’s one thing you’ll definitely want to do if you’ve got guests coming for Christmas (or even if you just want to make your home feel nicer for you and your family), it’s to make it feel cozy – that’s going to give you a warm and inviting home.
You can start by having some cozy touches in place that include plush throw blankets, extra cushions, and some twinkling fairy lights to add to the atmosphere you’re trying to create, for example. Or what about some scented candles with wintry scents like cinnamon or pine?
Plus, you’ll want to make sure your heating system is working as it should because a chilly house is the last thing you want if you’re going to enjoy being there over the holidays. If it’s been a while since your HVAC system was checked over, now’s the ideal time to call a reputable HVAC company to service it – by the time they’re finished, everything should be working perfectly, and you’ll be able to rely on your heating to help you create the ideal comfortable and cozy home.
Decorate
Decorating for the holidays is a big part of this time of year, and it can be a lot of fun when you turn it into an event rather than a chore! If you want to prepare your home, go all out with everything you can find, from wreaths and garlands to ornaments for the tree, as well as loads of lights and tinsel. Yes, some people will want a more understated look to their decoration, and that’s fine too – the key is to have fun with it, no matter what the finished look might come out as.
Get all your decorations in place and put the tree where you want it, then bring out some snacks and drinks, play some Christmas music (or put a Christmas movie on if you prefer) and enjoy the process of getting your house looking as festive as possible.
Make Space For Guests
Whether you’re hosting a full house or just a couple of friends for a cozy evening, having a plan for your guests is a wise idea – it just makes everything so much easier. To start with, make sure your hallway is clean and tidy and move anything from it that doesn’t have to be there – you’ll need room for your guests’ shoes and coats. And if they’re staying overnight, put clean bedding on the bed and give them clean towels too.
Then you’ll need to think about your living room because that’s where people are going to gather, and that might mean rearranging your furniture to make space – don’t worry, it’s only temporary (but if you find you like the new arrangement, leave it in place and start the new year with a new living room layout!) but if it means everyone has somewhere to sit and there’s space to move around freely, then it’s worth doing.
Stock Up On Holiday Essentials
If you want to make your home ready for the holidays, holiday essentials are, well, essential, so don’t wait until the last minute to get them or you might find you can’t get what you want. If that happens, it’s not going to ruin the season, but it might put a bit on a damper on things, and that’s not something you’ll want to have to deal with.
When we talk about holiday essentials, it’s really going to depend on what you like to do at this time of year, and the list might be different for different people – if you like doing some festive baking, some of your essentials are going to include baking supplies, for example. If you like having a cozy movie night, you’ll want snacks and drinks for that. Plus, if you’re hosting Christmas Day itself, you’ll need the turkey and all the trimmings (or whatever it is you like to eat), and organizing that well ahead of time is going to save a lot of issues – not getting a turkey when you’ve committed to roasting one isn’t a fun time!
Plus, take an inventory of your glassware, plates, utensils, and so on – have you got enough for everyone? If not, you’ll need to stock up on those as well.
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Whether she is researching the latest trends in home decor, life-changing destination getaways, or the best way to maintain your finances, Dewey takes pride in leaving no stone unturned. She is passionate about distilling and delivering high-quality information that you can use to upgrade your life.
