The holidays can be a magical time with a warm home filled with laughter and joy. Of course if you are hosting, it may also leave you frazzled trying to accommodate all your guests and their needs. Here are a few tips for helping your holidays go smoothly for both you and your guests.
- First off be sure that you have time to relax and spend time together! One of the main complaints of guests during the holidays is that they didn’t get to spend any time with the hosts. Hosts can feel that they need to do so many things to keep everything running smoothly that they never actually just sit down and talk with the people who came to see them! Be sure to plan some down time, everyone will appreciate it.
- Hosts should lay down the house rules and expectations right away. This eliminates anyone feeling put-out that things aren’t being handled the way hosts want and also helps guests feel at ease knowing what is acceptable in a new home. Guests need to know what your policies are on whether or not they need to take their shoes off when coming into your home, where you allow eating and how you feel about smoking to name a few. Explaining these things up front eases any discomfort down the road.
- As a host, consider installing power strips or docking stations for guests to charge their electronics on. There is nothing worse than searching for an outlet to charge your phone in the middle of the night!
- Put easy-to-use alarm clocks on the nightstand in the guest room. This eliminates guests trying to figure out a new and complicated clock, but also ensures they can catch that early flight out!
- Also consider black-out shades for the bedroom. These are inexpensive and can ease a lot of discomfort. Some of your neighbors may have holiday lights on their houses that shine in the guest room at all hours. These shades are also great for your guests travelling with kids who may be on a different schedule and helps them be able to sleep even if it isn’t dark out.
- Be sure to add plenty of blankets to the guest bed so that no one is shivering in the middle of the night. It is always easier to take layers off than to try to find blankets in a strange house after dark. You may also add a plush throw rug to wood floors to avoid creaking floors when your guest has to find the restroom in the night and is afraid they may wake you. It not only dampens the sound, but also is inviting and comfortable!
- Put a small basket on the nightstand with headache medicine and travel essentials next to a coaster and water glass. This is a nice touch that will help your guests feel at home as well as combat those holiday hangovers!
Don’t stress about those guests this year, rather relax and enjoy your time together with these few simple tips for a wonderful visit!
