How to Get Your Home Ready for Holiday Guests

How to Get Your Home Ready for The Holidays:

The Ultimate Guide to Hosting, Decorating & Keeping Your Cool!

Christmas is one of the most anticipated times of the year — a time to gather with loved ones, share delicious food, and create lasting memories. But if you’ve ever hosted Christmas or holiday parties before, you know that the joy can quickly turn into stress. Between preparing the meal, cleaning the house, and making sure overnight guests feel comfortable, it can feel overwhelming.

The good news? With a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy the holiday with ease. In this guide, you’ll learn how to get your home ready for the holidays, from setting up cozy guest spaces to decorating and preparing your party essentials. We’ll also include an event countdown checklist to keep you on track from December 1st until the big day.

Start Early to Stay Stress-Free

The secret to a calm, enjoyable holiday is starting early. Don’t wait until the week of the Christmas to begin cleaning or decorating. Begin small—declutter, make lists, and slowly prepare each area of your home. By spreading tasks over several weeks, you’ll avoid last-minute chaos and actually enjoy the process of making your home warm and welcoming.

Here’s how to get started:

• Make a hosting checklist. Write down everything you’ll need—from linens and extra seating to food and drink supplies.

• Declutter first. Donate or store anything that’s taking up space in your main living areas.

• Set aside a guest prep box. Keep travel-sized toiletries, spare chargers, and extra linens ready for visitors.

Preparing for Overnight Guests

If family or friends are staying overnight, making them feel comfortable is key. You don’t need to spend a fortune — just a few thoughtful touches go a long way.

1. Must-Have Holiday Party Essentials

These items will make serving and entertaining effortless:

• Cheese board: Perfect for pre-dinner snacks or appetizers. Choose a wooden cheese board set to be ready for all the festive parties.

• Serving utensils: Have a variety of serving spoons, tongs, and ladles ready for side dishes and desserts.

• Warming tray: Keep food at the perfect temperature with a warming tray so guests can enjoy warm dishes throughout the evening. Try a rolled warming mat if storage pace is a limited.

• Drink carafe: Fill a drink carafe with water, punch, or cider so guests can easily refill glasses.

• Cocktail making tools: A small cocktail shaker set with muddler, strainer, and jigger make it easy to serve festive drinks.

• Wine bottle holder: Display your favorite wines in a stylish wine bottle holder for easy access.

• Cocktail glasses: Don’t forget to polish and set out your stemmed cocktail glasses before guests arrive. These vintage style lowballs are perfect for having drinks with friends.

Arrange everything on a buffet or bar cart to keep your kitchen counters clear while guests serve themselves.

Simple Holiday Decor Ideas

Holiday decor doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. You can create a cozy, festive atmosphere with a few seasonal touches.

1. Focus on Festive Colors and Textures

This year’s trending fall palette includes reds, deep burgundy, deep greens, and warm neutrals. Mix textures like woven baskets, wood, and soft linens to create an inviting feel.

2. Decorate the Dining Table

• Use a bold table runner topped with candles or greenery.

• Layer Christmas cloth napkins and simple dinnerware for a polished look.

3. Bring Fall to Every Room

• Add a candle or oil diffuser with cozy scents like pine needle, cinnamon or vanilla in key spaces like the entry, living room and gust bath.

• Hang a wreath on your front door made of dried leaves, wheat, or eucalyptus.

• Use throw blankets and decorative pillows in fall tones to make living areas warm and welcoming.

Small touches make your home feel thoughtfully prepared without overwhelming your schedule.

Event Countdown Checklist

Here’s a simple Holiday prep checklist to keep you organized from December 1st until Christmas Day.

December 1–7: Plan and Declutter

• Plan your guest list and confirm who’s staying overnight

• Declutter main living areas, guest room, and kitchen

• Deep clean guest bedroom and bathroom

• Check linens, towels, and toiletries; restock what’s needed

• Make your menu and grocery list

• Order or buy any decor items, candles, or entertaining supplies

December 8–14: Prep and Decorate

• Start decorating for Thanksgiving with candles, wreaths, and table accents

• Set up the guest bedroom with fresh linens and extra pillows

• Stock guest bathroom with shampoo, soap, and extra toilet paper

• Find your warming tray, drink carafe, and other serving tools

• Create a playlist of relaxing background music

• Double-check serving dishes, cheese board set, and stemmed cocktail glasses

December 15–21: Final Details

• Deep clean kitchen, dining area, and bathrooms

• Shop for non-perishable groceries and beverages

• Arrange your bar area with cocktail tool set and wine bottle holder

• Wash and set aside table linens and cloth napkins

• Add finishing decor touches throughout your home

December 22–25: Celebrate and Enjoy

• Buy fresh ingredients like produce and turkey

• Prepare make-ahead dishes like cranberry sauce or casseroles

• Set the table the night before your event

• Prep appetizers on your cheese board and arrange snacks

• Chill drinks and set up your drink carafe station

• Warm side dishes on your warming tray before guests arrive

• Light candles and activate your oil diffuser for a cozy ambiance

• Welcome guests, pour a cocktail, and enjoy your beautifully prepared home!

Final Thoughts

Getting your home ready for the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful. With thoughtful preparation, a few cozy touches, and the right hosting essentials, you can create a warm, welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.

By following this Holiday home prep guide, you’ll have everything under control—from clean guest rooms and beautifully set tables to perfectly timed meals and stress-free entertaining. Remember, the true spirit of Christmas isn’t about perfection — it’s about gathering with loved ones and giving thanks for all that you have.

So light your pine needle candle, set out your cheese board, and pour a toast to a Thanksgiving filled with comfort, joy, and memories that last long after the holiday ends.

Product recommendation Recap:

• extra blanket

• extra sleeping pillows

• luxurious shampoo

• hand soap

• hand & body lotion

• pine needle candle

• Wild Mint & Eucalyptus oil defuser

• wooden cheese board set

• cocktail shaker set

• stemmed cocktail glasses

• vintage style lowballs

• warming tray

• rolled warming mat

• bold table runner

• Christmas cloth napkins

• wreath

• throw blankets

• decorative pillows

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1. Refresh the Guest Bedroom

Start by decluttering the space. Remove anything that doesn’t belong and give it a good clean — dust surfaces, vacuum the floor, and open windows to let in fresh air.

Add cozy and practical touches:

• Fresh linens and extra blankets: Wash sheets ahead of time and fold an extra blanket at the foot of the bed for chilly nights.

• Extra sleeping pillows: Make sure there are at least two pillows per guest, and keep a few extra sleeping pillows in the closet for comfort preferences.

• Candles or an oil diffuser: Create a calm, welcoming atmosphere with a light festive pine needle candle or an oil diffuser with essential oils like lavender or vanilla.

• Extra chargers: Place extra chargers or a power strip on the nightstand for phones and tablets.

Pro Tip: Add a small welcome card with the Wi-Fi password — guests always appreciate it!

2. Spruce Up the Guest Bathroom

A sparkling bathroom makes guests feel instantly comfortable. Deep clean the sink, shower, and toilet. Replace worn towels with plush, freshly laundered ones.

Guest bathroom essentials:

• Hand soap and hand & body lotion

• Extra toilet paper

• Clean washcloths and hand towels

• Extra Toiletries: Pamper your friends like they are staying at a fancy hotel. Stock the bath with luxurious shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion. Stock a small basket with mini/travel sizes of toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other toiletries guests may have forgotten that way they can take it with them for the rest of their travels.

• A oil diffuser for continuous ambiance and freshness try Wild Mint & Eucalyptus.

Consider placing a few winter touches — like mini reindeer or a small vase of greenery — on the counter to tie into your holiday decor.

Hosting a Holiday Party with Ease

If you’re hosting a holiday dinner or a party, planning ahead will make all the difference. Whether you’re serving a full meal or just appetizers and cocktails, make sure you have the right entertaining essentials on hand.