• Real Estate Professionals
  • Service Providers
  • Request Service
  • Sign In
  • 888.875.0533
  • Get a Quote
  • Menu
Request Service Sign In

Homeowner

  • Overview
  • Why Buy a Home Warranty
  • What's Covered
  • How to Request Service
  • Home Warranty Reviews
  • Get a Quote
  • Home Warranty 101
  • Budget Protection
  • What is a Home Warranty?

Service Provider

  • Overview
  • Why Join Our Team
  • Home Warranty Network 101
  • Service Provider Testimonials
  • Service Provider Application

Real Estate Professional

  • Overview
  • Why Choose First American
  • Sample Coverage
  • Locate Your Area Manager
  • CRES Home Warranty
  • Real Estate Testimonials
  • Marketing Materials

Resources

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Case Studies and Testimonials
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Home Maintenance Tips
Menu

Sign In / Register

  • Email Address is required.
  • Password is required.
Register Forgot Password
Request Service Sign In
  • Blog Home
  • Budget Smart
  • Home Care
  • Home Maintenance
  • Home Warranty
  • Homeowner Tips
  • Lifestyle
  • Real Estate
  • Archives
How to Prep Your Home for Holiday Guests
Home Care

How to Prep Your Home for Holiday Guests

Having overnight guests for the holidays? Even if you’re up to your eyeballs in family, work, and holiday chores, with a bit of thought and planning you’ll be ready for holiday guests and they’ll feel right at home! Whether you have a guest room to share, or a spare space within your home to offer, these tips can help make your guests feel welcome and comfortable.

1. Clean and Declutter

Declutter your home as much as possible, paying extra attention to guest bedroom, kitchen, and bathrooms. Include these on your checklist:

  • Clean your fridge and freezer.
  • Add arrangements of fresh flowers or greenery in your guest room and living areas. Even if you’re not interested in holiday decorating, these help make your home feel more inviting and festive.

guest room2. Create a Comfy Bed

Designate a place for your guests to sleep. Whether it’s a guest room, kid’s room, office, or even a pull-out couch or air mattress in the living room, be sure to check off these to-dos:

  • Make the bed as comfortable and inviting as possible, regardless of the type of bed your guests will use.
  • Invest in a topper to add softness if guests are sleeping in an older bed, or air bed.
  • Check that guest sheets are in good shape and freshly laundered.
  • Provide extra pillows and blankets they can easily access.
  • Invest in window coverings if your guest’s room doesn’t have them.

3. Find a Place for Clothes

Clear or make space in guest room closet or in a nearby closet so guests can hang up clothes. Add these to list:

  • Include extra hangers for your guests’ clothes.
  • Clear out a few drawers if possible for holiday guests staying longer than a night or two.
  • Make a space for their luggage. A luggage rack would be ideal, but a sturdy chair, ottoman, or desk will also work.

night table4. Add a Nightstand

It may not seem necessary, but having a bedside table for guests is so convenient. Any type of table will do and be sure it’s near an outlet. Add these nice touches to the nightstand:

  • A reading lamp
  • Bottle (or two) of water
  • Box of tissues
  • A small clock or digital alarm clock (not one that ticks)
  • Outlet available for charging electronics, or add a wireless charging pad

5. Ready a Bathroom

Making your guests’ bathroom as convenient and welcoming is as important as the guest room. Here are things you can do to show how much you care:

  • Provide a stack of clean towels for your guests.
  • Have shampoo, conditioner, and a fresh bar of soap available in the shower/bath.
  • Store extra toilet paper in a convenient place.
  • bath vanityPlace a small basket in the cabinet or on the counter with travel-size toiletries such as lotion, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, hairspray, and so on.
  • Add extra toothbrushes in the cabinet, too.
  • Plug in a nightlight to help guests navigate to the bathroom at night. You can consider buying the motion detector type that plugs in to a standard outlet.
  • Use this checklist to ensure the bathroom is safe for you and your guests.

6. Make Your Home Easily Accessible

For the holidays, you may have family or friends that traditionally stay for longer visits. That may mean they’ll be coming and going, so here are tips for making their stay easier:

  • Give all your holiday guests an extra house key or the code for front door, alarm, or garage.
  • Write your internet password on a small card they can keep so they don’t have to remember it.
  • Show your guests how to operate the thermostat, and where a fan or space heater is, if needed.
  • Provide instructions on how to use the TV remote and access movie and cable channels.
This article is about...
  • Entertaining
  • Holidays
  • Christmas
  • Cleaning
  • Checklists
Backsplash Ideas to Inspire Your DIY Side
Home Care

Backsplash Ideas to Inspire Your DIY Side

Cooktop vs. Range: What Is the Best Choice for Your Kitchen?
Home Care

Cooktop vs. Range: What Is the Best Choice for Your Kitchen?

Make Your Own Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Home Care

Make Your Own Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Popular Articles

home warranty repair
What is a Home Warranty?
air conditioning units
How Does an Air Conditioner Work?
Garage conversion
Should You Convert Your Garage?
Woman comparing home warranties
Compare Home Warranty Plans
corn husks
Corn Husks - Not Just for Tamales
water heater temperature
What's the Best Temperature for Your Water Heater?
AC tune-up
How Air Conditioner Tune-ups Save Money

This website uses cookies and similar technologies to manage your sessions, manage content, and improve your website experience. To learn more about these technologies, your options, and about other categories of personal information we collect through this website and how we may use it, please see our privacy policy. This notice is effective for your use of this website for the next 14 days.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
© 2021 First American Home Warranty Corporation and its licensed subsidiaries. All rights reserved.