Getting Your Home Ready for Winter Guests This Holiday Season

Despite the excitement of the season and the opportunity to see long-lost friends and family, the element of stress of hosting the holidays cannot be underestimated. Coordinating schedules, guaranteeing enough food, and planning for everyone to have a good time is a lot. One of the best ways to give yourself a leg up and reduce anxiety is by having your home well-prepared to receive guests. Keep reading as we explore some of the best ways to get your home ready for winter guests this holiday season.

Is it sad that the first words out of some guests’ mouths aren’t “How are you?” or “Great to see you!” but, rather, “What’s your wi-fi password?” 

All jokes aside, there is no denying that people are inevitably going to want to get connected as soon as they can to catch up on all they missed during their journey to see you. Plan ahead for this eventuality by getting some holiday-themed decor that can be used to display wi-fi credentials. Consider adding such displays to living areas and guest rooms for added convenience. Also take note of your outlet situation. If you are hosting a large get-together, a holiday-inspired power strip is a fun way to ensure that all visitors have a place to juice up. For guests staying overnight, show them how to work all smart home features so that they can enjoy the greatest comfort possible.

Add Some Noise Mitigation Features

The bustle of hosting the holidays is exciting. Until it isn’t. When you are ready to unwind and take a break from the stimulation, you need a quiet, tranquil haven in which to retreat. There are a number of creative ways to mitigate holiday noise in your home. Acoustic wall panels add soundproofing mass to the walls and help keep noise local to its origin. A soundproof door is a great idea for bedrooms or home offices. Carefully placed area rugs, furniture, and demountable partitions can also aid in absorbing sound. 

In addition to creating a calm retreat, noise mitigation is a key aspect of a healthy home. Reducing excess noise helps lower stress levels and promotes better sleep, ensuring that both you and your guests feel refreshed throughout the holiday season.

Reduce the Clutter

Many people go into a holiday nesting phase. It can feel cozy to break out every throw pillow for the living room, display every piece of holiday decor on the dining room table, and hang every Christmas card you have ever gotten on the refrigerator. Unfortunately, this approach quickly becomes uncomfortable for guests. 

No one wants to have to ask permission to move the Christmas-themed nesting doll before taking a seat on the sofa. In general, less is more when it comes to holiday hosting. Sure, a carefully-placed pillow or blanket can add warmth to a space, while white lighting can evoke elegance and elicit the holiday spirit. However, it is important to remember that extra space and added functionality are key to successful hosting, so make every effort to minimize clutter and keep decor as lean and tactful as possible. 

Decluttering also contributes to a healthier home environment by reducing dust accumulation and improving airflow, which can make your space feel fresher and more inviting for everyone.

Don’t Neglect the Exterior

There is more to home exteriors than holiday decorations this time of year. True, lawn inflatables and festive lights are a great way to demonstrate holiday spirit. However, it is also important to have the home itself in top condition ahead of guest arrivals. Clean windows with fresh trim create a captivating frame for the joy of the season. A new garage door establishes a stunning focal point that visitors will notice when they pull into your driveway. Upgrading old deck and patio surfaces with ipe wood decking or composite pavers adds a clean, fire-resistant surface around which to enjoy a fire and cup of hot chocolate. 

Ensure Adequate Waste Removal

Do you find yourself taking out the trash every hour when hosting guests? Well, try hosting guests during the holidays. In addition to the increased day-to-day refuse, the influx of gift wrap and boxes is more than most residential dumpster setups can handle. Therefore, plan ahead to guarantee that trash does not cramp quarters. Consider adding a roll-off dumpster if you plan on hosting a large group. At the least, call ahead and see if it is possible to schedule an additional pickup so that your receptacles are not overflowing. Look into special options for recycling cardboard boxes to keep holiday consumption as mindful as possible. 

Stock the Restrooms

Is there anything more awkward than being a guest in someone’s house and having to ask for the location of more toilet paper? 

Anticipate such scenarios by stocking restrooms ahead of arrivals. A bath tissue tree adorned with an elf or other simple decor is a creative way to draw guests’ attention to the supply. Other bathroom items to check up on include towels, washcloths, and soaps. 

Check All of the Boxes When Hosting Guests This Holiday Season

Being overwhelmed by guests is one of the quickest ways to take the joy out of the holidays for homeowners. From ensuring optimal connectivity to stocking the restrooms, consider any of the ideas listed above to have your home ready to go ahead of holiday guest arrivals. For more of the latest trends shaping all aspects of home improvement, explore the resources at PRK Williams Building Group for ideas and inspiration today!

Author’s Bio:Andrea Erickson is a freelance writer who loves sharing her knowledge and expertise in renovation and Interior Design. She lives in her hometown of Austin, Texas where she enjoys spending time with her husband and decorating with her children. Andrea’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.