How to prepare your house for guests this Christmas

This is a guest post

The holidays are fast approaching and with that comes people coming into your space. Unlike last year where most of us were not doing any gatherings at all, or large gatherings for some around the world – it seems like this year with vaccination rates this is more of a reality to be with families again for the holidays.

I love the holiday time and getting together with my close family to celebrate. I don’t mind the extended family holiday celebrations; however, I do find them overwhelming at times with the number of people in my family! For me, ideally, I enjoy when it’s a smaller gathering of the close and immediate family which either I’m hosting or someone in my family is. Do you prefer larger family events or more intimate affairs?

When considering hosting for some people this is an exciting time where they enjoy cooking and cleaning to prepare for others, while for others this can be anxiety and stress-provoking. Regardless of which group you fall into with hosting, I’m hoping these tips will help this holiday season with easing stress as you host people in your space.

Make a list 3-5 days before the event

Before the holiday or event, you are hosting, make a list (you can check it twice if you’d like!). About 3-5 days before the event, you want to create a list (or several) that outlines what needs to be done and what needs to be purchased. For myself, I make 3 lists: what needs to be cleaned, what needs to be done, what needs to be bought. Making these lists 3-5 days allows you time to ensure you’ve got time to complete your tasks.

Food List – On this list, you want to make sure you check all the recipes you’re making and ensure each individual ingredient is either already in your pantry or is on the list. One of the main reasons I make this list is ensuring I have enough time to shop, there’s nothing worse than racing against the clock running out to the shop and finding what you need is out of stock. With timing running against you then need to hit up all the other shops in the area that may also have that ingredient or item. The 3-5 days also provide time for you to reach out to your guests and ask them to bring things if you need them, this provides them time, so they don’t feel stressed or rushed by your request.

Cleaning List – Make a list of everything in your space/house that needs cleaning. Be sure to include all spaces that you will be hosting your guests in. Break down each area you need to clean into what time it will take you and when you plan on doing it.This will allow enough time that you’re hopefully not rushing around last-minute cleaning the space.

Rooms such as living rooms, or dining rooms can be done a day or two before. Spaces such as bathrooms or main foyers are best to do the night before/morning of as they’re well-used spaces by you and those in your space! Don’t worry too much about your kitchen before the event. I give mine a quick clean and then once I’m done all my cooking, I save some time for a more thorough cleaning before guests arrive.

To-Do List – This is where you write down everything that needs to be done the day of, or day for prep. You can then time block, or schedule items so you ensure you have enough time. Again, this is a space where if you have others in your house that can help you can delegate out tasks. Examples of what I put on this list can be emptying garbage bins, removing jackets from the front closet so there is space for guest jackets, cleaning off shoe mats, replenishing bathroom supplies, and clearing the driveway if needed (dependent on weather).

Do as much cooking as you can the night before

This is always such a time saver for me! When I break down some of my favourite holiday meals there are a couple that I can prep and then put into the fridge for cooking the next day. Whenever possible do this to save yourself the hassle of cooking every single item the day of. For myself, side dishes, desserts, and marinating meat are my most common the day before prep tasks.

As well as cooking preparations, think about cooking supply preparations such as cooking utensils and item. Is it just me or is my roasting pan always put away way up high out of the way? Might just be me! I typically need my other half to get it down for me and to give it a quick refresh clean. As well items such as serving platters, vases, drink bowls, and items I likely don’t use every day I also get out have ready. I go through my parchment and aluminium to ensure I have enough and get out my leftover containers prepared and ready.

Personal preparation

For myself personally, I find when having company over I get super busy very fast! I often don’t have time to take care of myself, as I’m fluttering about in the kitchen. It can be easy to get wrapped up in hosting and forget about your own personal preparations. Two of the main ways I keep down the stress for myself when hosting are thorough preparation and self-care.

Preparation – A day or two before hosting people over I will take care of all my personal grooming needs. What I mean by this is take a long shower and do all my prep, a conditioning mask to make my hair easy and manageable the day off and shave all unwanted hair. I then put on a face mask, so my complexion is good the day of, and paint my nails.

Self-Care – The day of hosting others I take some time in the morning to do slow and paced breaths to help calm myself. Throughout the day I set reminders in my schedule to take 5 minutes to do this as well. Now, realistically I don’t do all of them because sometimes I’m behind on my schedule, however writing it down and reading it does help me do it at least a couple of times which really does calm me. As well, I put on some of my favourite music to help ease stress and try to laugh off the little things. Everything won’t’ be perfect, and that’s okay.

The holidays are so magical and are such a special time for loved ones to gather. Try to remember when hosting that it’s fun to have everyone gather and that’s the main purpose of all this preparation. At the end of the day, things are bound to go wrong regardless of how much you prep. However, trying to be intentional about being understanding that life happens and that it’s okay to have things sometimes not go as planned will likely reduce a lot of the stress you hold when hosting. I hope these tips above were helpful with thinking about how to ease hosting your next event.

Author bio

Hello! I’m Alex from Simply Alex Jean, I’m a lifestyle blogger based out of Ontario Canada. Thanks to Lauren from Laurenyloves for having me onto their blog to write a guest post! Simply Alex Jean’s Lifestyle blog focuses on Organization, Health & Wellness, and Lifestyle; as well, I have a variety of Pinterest Management Services available. Check out my blog at https://simplyalexjean.com

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