The Do’s and Don’ts When Preparing Your Home for Holiday Guests

Preparing your home for the arrival of Holiday guests, can take some time and planning on your part.  There are always things that you should or need to do to make your home feel like the best version of itself.  On the flip side, there are always things that you should not do that will help keep your home in top working order.

Things you should NOT do when preparing your home for guests:

1. Do Not blast your AC!  Yes it can get warm in a house full of people and an oven that has been running all day, but it is best to try to avoid blasting your AC during this time.  Instead crack a window or two and see if that will help to cool off the room, or if you have a sliding door, open that for a bit.  It typically will not hurt your Unit to switch between heat and air, however, it is not a good idea to set the temperature to something drastically different right away.
2. Do Not dump grease or other miscellaneous food items down your disposal!  With all of the cooking that comes with the Holidays, it is important to be mindful of what you are putting down your disposal, especially leftover grease.  When in doubt it is always best to just throw leftover food in the trashcan and not risk clogging your sink.
3. Don’t overload your outlets.  Extension cords are great, but be mindful of all of the electronics that you have plugged in at one time.  It is always a good idea to try and share phone chargers and unplug items that are not currently being used.

Things you should do when preparing your home for guests:

1. Clean your bathrooms (especially the ones that guests will see and use).  A dirty bathroom is sure to make your guests feel unwelcome and uncomfortable in your home.
2. Clean your kitchen.  Bathrooms and kitchens are 2 of the most important rooms to have in tip top shape before your guests arrive.  Nothing will make your guests lose their appetite more then seeing their meal prepared in a dirty kitchen.  We even suggest rinsing out or even rewashing any cups, plates, utensils, etc. that you know a guest will be using.
3. Empty the dishwashwer.  Make sure you empty your dishwasher before a big meal with guests.  This will help you be prepared for all the dirty dishes that come with hosting a meal.
4. Prep your meals in advance.  There are plenty of dishes that you can prepare ahead of time and either refrigerate or freeze and then pop them in the oven the day of.  It is also helpful to cut up any produce ahead of time.  The last thing you want is to feel like you are spending your entire holiday in the kitchen.
5. Buy pre-made desserts.  There are so many amazing bakeries and restaurants that offer great desserts that you can purchase for the Holidays.  Save your time and your sanity, pre-order your desserts today!