Holiday Guests Coming? Organize Fast Without Panic
It happens to all of us eventually: You offered way back in July to host Thanksgiving this year (or you’re voluntold), and you tell yourself you’ll be ready. You blink, and suddenly it’s November, and Thanksgiving is three weeks away! You start to panic - there’s so much to prepare between the food and the seating and the organizing. While we can’t help you with the Thanksgiving turkey, we can assuage your fears over a messy house. With a little bit of work and some quick thinking, you can have your place ready for guests in no time.
Prep the Most Used Spaces First
When you’re planning to host guests, it’s tempting to immediately dust every nook and cranny and polish behind the radiator in the basement. Before you go off on a wild goose chase for the last dust bunny under your kid’s bed, however, think about what spaces your guest is going to utilize the most. Typically, this will be the dining room and living room, but it might also include a guest bedroom and bathroom. Start with these spaces and take it one room at a time; clean the space and pull out any holiday specific furniture and utensils you might need, such as extra seating or decor. Your guests are most likely not going to see your entire house, so you don’t need to worry about organizing all of it (for now). Once you’ve prepared the guest spaces, then you can do some extra organizing if you have the free time.
Create Extra Space
Part of hosting the holidays and organizing for guests is having enough space to accommodate extra people. Some of this is obvious; you might rearrange furniture or add extra chairs to the dining room table. You can also create space through decluttering. This is an opportunity to go through what you own and see what might be ready for a new home. Again, it’s better to go one room at a time, but as you go through each room, you’ll certainly find things you don’t want anymore and maybe don’t remember getting in the first place. The holidays are an especially good time to donate unwanted items - one person’s trash is another’s treasure! With all this clutter out of the way, you can utilize the extra space to prepare for guests and provide a welcoming, organized atmosphere for your holiday.
Make Your Shopping List Now
A shopping list is a given, but it’s a part of hosting the holidays that often gets overlooked. There’s a reason stores are busiest right before the holidays. Do yourself a favor and start organizing your shopping list now. Plan out what you want on the menu and get an idea of what substitutes you need to make. If you’re able, buy anything nonperishable or freezable ahead of time so you know you’re prepared. You can also coordinate with your guests if they plan on bringing something to serve so you’re not accidentally offering three different kinds of mashed potatoes (although that sounds heavenly). Communication and coordination are key. The few days before the event, double check your menu again and see if there’s anything you’ve forgotten, want to add, or that you’re ready to make now. Having a clear plan long ahead will save you the last-minute shopping trips and the anxiety over a botched Thanksgiving dinner.
Take Time to Rest
The holidays are overwhelming for everyone, especially so if you’re hosting the holidays for family and friends. While these are exciting and joyful times, they can be stressful as well. Make sure to take breaks and give yourself a chance to rest amidst the holiday chaos. It’s important that you enjoy the holiday as well. Set aside time to spend with your family or to just spend with yourself; engage in your hobbies and in rest activities that help you center during busy times. Taking advantage of down time will help you face the holidays with ease and feel prepared to tackle them head on.
Hosting the holidays is no easy thing, but it can be incredibly fulfilling with the right mindset and preparation. Staying organized, planning ahead, and communicating with fellow hosts and your guests are all ways to keep ahead of the holidays. Before you know it, they’ll be here, and this is your chance to be ready to go.