WHAT YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE YOUR HOLIDAY HOUSEGUESTS ARRIVE!

They are all coming over for the holidays, and they are bringing more than just presents. That’s right, your relatives along with their kids, their stuff, and lots of stress! However, you CAN be prepared with these helpful tips: 

DECLUTTER YOUR HOME

It's time to declutter and create some much-needed space. Your living room, family room, and other common rooms used for entertaining should be free of any furniture that you won't use. Old magazines, newspapers, mail, and other items should be sorted and recycled or discarded.

COMPLETE HOUSE REPAIRS

If your family has been dealing with a drippy faucet, squeaky door, or broken steps you should get these things taken care of before your guests arrive. A few small house repairs and improvements can make your home safer and more comfortable for your holiday houseguests. And gals, if you don’t have your own tools to get the job done it’s time to put those on your X-mas wish list.

CLEAN THE HOUSE ROOM BY ROOM

Pick a room each day or a few rooms each week. Or schedule a special session with your normal cleaning SERVICE. Don’t wait until the night before everyone arrives to start cleaning.

TAKE INVENTORY OF YOUR GUEST BEDROOM

Can your guests sleep in there comfortably? Does the room need to be CLEANED? Make sure all the bedding is fresh and super comfortable, vacuum the floor (don't forget under the bed), and make space in the closet for your guests' clothes. Provide clean towels and supplies in the bathroom and let them know where to find more. Make the room cozy with a sitting area, if possible.

If you don’t have a guest room, prepare a sleeping space for your guests, and make sure your family KNOWS that it is to be treated as a bedroom while they are there. Also give them a private place to change and wash up. If you don’t have space for relatives at all, do a little research and provide your relatives with local HOTEL information.

COOK AHEAD

Who wants to spend all your time in the kitchen when you have houseguests? Cook ahead and freeze some meals for dinner. Also, make sure your pantry and kitchen are stocked with staple items. Keep breakfast simple (cereal, granola and yogurt, or fresh fruit). Lunch can be sandwiches and salads.

DECORATE

You don't want to be hanging Christmas lights and setting up displays while your guests are in town. Prepare by decorating a little early. Keep things simple and elegant to avoid cluttering up your home and decorate green when possible.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Ask your guests if they have any special DIETARY needs before they arrive. This will help you avid any last minute trips to the grocery store.

GIFT GIVING

Have gifts wrapped and ready to DISTRIBUTE before your guests arrive. They are lots of fun to shake and look at for the kids in your family. This will also allow you to spend time with your family instead of locked up in your bedroom wrapping presents!

 HAVE FUN AND RELAX

Remember to ENJOY your company. Sharing your home can be stressful, but by cleaning and organizing in advance, you can have a relaxing time visiting with those you love!

Happy Holidays from Cinderella Carpet One, your local flooring expert in Salinas and San Luis Obispo.