Get Your Home Holiday Ready

As the holiday season quickly descends upon us, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed at the thought of all the cleaning, decorating and preparations ahead of you. With all the shopping, parties, meals, gifts and visitors, the holidays can be a stressful time trying to juggle everything.

These are my top 5 tips for making your home feel warm and inviting to guests while managing the madness that these coming weeks can bring!

1. Create a first impression. Set the scene for what guests can expect inside your home from the minute they walk up to your front door. Whether you want to keep it simple and understated with a holiday-themed welcome mat and a planter full of birch sticks, or go all out with a festive wreath, garland and lights, setting the mood from the outside is a great place to start.

2. Continue the ambience inside. Bring that welcoming feeling that greeted your guests at the front door into your home. Add festive touches such as holiday pillows and a cozy throw on your sofas and chairs. Candles and white lights throughout the house create a cozy and elegant glow. Trim your tree, but don’t forget about banisters, fireplaces and dining tables. These are perfect spots to add some holiday cheer with garland, centrepieces and other festive décor.

3. Stock your pantry. Ensure you have the essentials on hand that you will need for holiday cooking, baking and entertaining. Ask any guests that will be staying with you what they would appreciate you having available. Shop well in advance and stock up on all the basics you know you will need – that way you won’t be at the store last-minute battling huge lineups and frustrated people.

4. Get ready for overnight guests. Give your guestroom a good cleaning, wash the bedding, and ensure you have extra blankets and pillows on hand. Including amenities like fluffy towels, a pen and notepad, along with toiletry essentials not only show your guests that you went the extra mile, but also saves you from scrambling at the last minute when they request these things. Also, be sure to provide a card with your Wi-Fi password!

5. Dining room décor. If you’ve been thinking about updating your dining room, this is a great time to do so. If you have a table that you love but your chairs are underwhelming, consider replacing them to complement your table, or vice versa. A sideboard is a great place to set up a beverage station so that guests can help themselves throughout the evening. Create a beautiful tablescape that will have your guests oohing and aahing all night long.

Being organized and starting your holidays preparations well in advance can make all the difference in reducing the stress that often accompanies the season.

If you find that you need an extra hand with your holiday décor, I can help! I offer complete holiday decorating services, with packages starting as low as $250. Use some of your existing décor, complimented by a few new items, or start fresh with a new look and theme – I can accommodate both options. Feel free to give me a call to discuss what you have in mind!

Holiday decorating services available now through December 20th.