Hosting Christmas, Hanukkah or Solstice this year? It’s a big commitment but one that needn’t be stressful if you start early and follow our helpful tips as a guide. Let’s get started!

  1. Declutter, clean and refresh

If you’ve recently hosted Thanksgiving you’ll want to give your home a good declutter and clean to get it feeling fresh and welcoming for your next lot of guests. As well as being cathartic, cleaning your home will mentally prepare you for the holiday season.

Vacuum, dust, tidy and don’t forget to pay attention to any stains that need spot cleaning. And don’t forget your appliances: make some time to deep clean the fridge and the oven. These kitchen essentials  will likely get a big workout in the next few weeks as you start to store and cook food in preparation for your holiday celebration

If you run out of time, concentrate on cleaning and decluttering the spaces your guests will see the most of – the front porch, entryway, kitchen, guest room, living room and bathrooms.

Alternatively, we offer a thorough clean for special occasions which includes fridges and ovens, allowing you  more energy to concentrate on more fun things like decorations!

  1. Deck the halls

Now that your home is clean, it’s time to get your holiday decorations out of storage and give them the once over. Are they in good shape or is it time to buy (or make!) new ones? Here’s a quick list of holiday items sure to make your home feel merry and bright!

  • Hang stockings
  • Place scented candles
  • Use fresh tree trimmings for the mantle or make a lovely garland. You can’t beat the aroma of fresh cut evergreen!
  • Put a wreath on the front door
  • Drape fairy lights over the trees outside.
  • Cue the holiday music!
  1. Prepare the guest room/s

If you have guests staying over consider preparing their room/s now rather than later. This will eliminate the last minute stress of laundering linens the day before they arrive. The important thing is to make your visitors feel right at home with an inviting guest room.

Make up a comfy bed with white, high thread count sheets, warm blankets and a coverlet. Give them an assortment of pillows to sleep on – soft and firm – and don’t forget the decorative pillows for a cheerful vibe. Place a folded faux fur or quilt at the end of the bed so they can snuggle up for a holiday post-dinner nap!

Make sure they have towels and washcloths, and buy good quality soap, shampoo, toothpaste and body lotion in case they haven’t brought their own. Stock up on spare toilet paper rolls and place extras in plain view so they don’t have to ask you for more.

Your guests will appreciate it if you write down your WiFi username and password and any instructions for operating  the TV and sound system. If they’re staying for a few days and plan on sightseeing make sure they have a city map, some suggestions of what to see and do, and their own set of keys so they can come and go.

  1. Create a Decorative Table Setting

By now you will have made a list of the dishes to serve for your holiday feast, ingredients you need to buy and who’s helping out with what. But don’t forget to create a festive table to do all of your special food justice.

Do a stocktake ahead of time to ensure you have everything you need in the way of festive holiday linens (and inspect them for cleanliness!). These items may include: a table runner, tablecloth, placemats, napkins, napkin holders and placemats. Now’s the time to take the good dinnerware out of storage and polish and/or wash to make sure everything’s clean and ready to go!

Give your table setting an extra special touch with printed place-cards, a seasonal flower centerpiece and candles. Don’t be afraid to get creative–and have fun!

Now your home is well prepped, all that’s left to do is countdown to the holidays and look forward to spending quality time with friends and family, and eating delicious food of course!

 

Need a helping hand with any of your holiday cleaning tasks? Give us a call! And Happy Holidays to you and yours!