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Working Mom Tip: Getting Your Home Ready for Holiday Guests (a guest post)

Working moms struggle with getting ready for the holidays, especially when we host holiday guests. For that reason, I was pleased to receive this guest post from a talented writer named Naomi Shaw. Her post is well written and contains great tips.



Enjoy!




The Holidays are Here! Is Your Home Guest Ready?


The most wonderful time of the year has arrived – the holidays! If your family is like most, you will probably be spreading Yule tidings by opening up your home to guests. While it is always fun to invite friends and family over, as a working mom, you may not have the most time to prepare your home.
 
However, being short on time doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice any comfort for your guests.
There are some simple things you can do this holiday to let loved ones know exactly how much you appreciate their presence that won’t take up precious time in your schedule.

 



Image Courtesy of Shutterstock

 

These small changes and simple tricks easily extend a warm welcome to all of your guests this holiday season, both those who are staying just for the day and those who will be staying overnight, without taking a lot of extra work.

 
Outdoors


The best thing you can do for the outdoor portion of your home is to enlist the help of your children and husband. While you are working, ask your kids to clear the snow off the driveway and sprinkle some salt to melt any ice. Your husband can string the lights to make your home look magical and so that your guests can easily locate the entry.
 
Right before guests arrive, hang a festive wreath on your front door for a bit of holiday cheer - start their experience off with a warm welcome before they even walk inside.

 

The Entryway

 

The entryway is the first thing your guests experience when they step in your home, but you don’t have to go overboard. Simple touches, like Christmas carols playing and a holiday-scented candle, are all you need to welcome your guests. Be sure you designate a clear space to hang coats and to wipe or take off shoes.  

 

The Bathroom

 
Even when you know a person well, there is nothing worse than going into a bathroom at someone else’s house and finding that they are out of toilet paper or that there aren’t any clean towels. Help your guests avoid this somewhat awkward situation!
 
Preparing your bathroom only takes a few minutes. Before your holiday guests arrive, give the bathroom a good cleaning. Stock up on toilet paper and place extra rolls in an area that is easily accessible and visible. Set out a stack of disposable hand towels so that your guests will have a clean towel each time they use the bathroom. You can also include an air freshener and light a candle to make the room smell pleasant - even the bathroom can be a place to make your guests feel at home.

 
Living Spaces


As a working mom, you probably try to keep your home neat to avoid the stress of not knowing where anything is - this will save you time during the holidays! To cozy-ify your main living spaces, simply provide all of the creature comforts, and then some. Pillows instantly transform a room and your lit Christmas tree adds to the ambience, as well. One quick trick is to open up the room to make for a better flow of conversation. Place groupings of chairs around, but avoid making anything too cramped. 

 
Image Courtesy of Shutterstock

 

Any hostess knows that the food makes a party, so do your part in your own home! Buying a cracker and cheese platter is easy, but keeps the munchies at bay. Set out glasses, ice, and beverages at a small drink station - all you need is a card table and a cute tablecloth. Your living spaces will be guest-ready in minutes.


Guest Rooms


If any guests will be staying overnight, make sure that their rooms are welcoming and inviting for a good night’s sleep. Make up the beds with fresh sheets and provide plenty of blankets to keep warm. Place clean towels and washcloths in the rooms that your guests can use to wash up. If guests are staying for a few days, make some space in a dresser drawer or in the closet so they don’t have to live out of a suitcase.

 The holidays are busy and working a hectic job doesn’t make it any easier. However, with these simple changes, you can make your house feel like a home away from home for your guests this holiday season, and they’ll never know just how quickly you did it.
 

Naomi Shaw is a freelance writer in Southern California. As a mom who works from home, the holidays are one of the busiest time of the year, and she knows how hectic preparing for guests can be. These tips are some of her favorites for getting through the season. She contributes content to AllCandyContainers.com.



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