Doesn’t it seem like the minute Halloween is over, the next weeks fly right by, leaving you to scramble to get dozens of last-minute things taken care of before your guests arrive for Thanksgiving and Christmas? That’s because in addition to decorating your place with festive lights and holiday decorations, you pretty much have to get every room in your apartment ready for friends and family. And if you’re expecting overnight guests, you’ll need to make sure they have a clean, comfortable guest room to retreat to. All this adds up to a long to-do list — and if you’re smart, you won’t leave everything until the last week. Here are a few tips to avoid last-minute stress when preparing your apartment for the upcoming holiday season.
Give yourself plenty of time
Trust us – the earlier you start preparing your apartment for the holiday season, the easier it’s going to be. Make a list of everything you need to do before the first guest arrives, and plan ahead to get the big tasks done first in the weeks leading up to playing host to family and friends. Spreading out your chores over two weeks or a month will allow you to get everything done and will also leave you with enough energy to actually enjoy the holidays.
Make a clean sweep
Cleaning up and decluttering and pantry of any food that’s expired or gone bad. This way, you can see if you need to stock up on ingredients for your holiday meals and make sure you can prepare food in advance, store it until you need it and then freeze leftovers.
Give the refrigerator and freezer a good scrub while they’re empty. If you can, do as much cooking and cleaning in advance of your guests’ arrival. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy the party rather than stress over the details.
Then, focus your efforts on the rooms in your apartment where your guests will be most often. In your living room and dining area, store away stray items in baskets or bins, or pack them away in a closet until the holidays are over. The day before people arrive, you can dust and vacuum.
Ready your kitchen
If you’re cooking for a crowd, getting organized in advance is key. Make sure appliances like your food processor or stand mixer are in good working order and dig out things you don’t use very often — such as holiday cookie cutters and large serving platters — so everything will be at your fingertips.
And if it’s been a while since you deep cleaned your microwave and oven, now’s the time to tackle this task.
Prepare the guest room
If you have an extra bedroom you plan to put guests in but it’s full of stuff you’ve been tossing there for months, now’s the time to go through everything and purge. If there are clothes or other items you no longer use or don’t want, donate them to charity. Clear out at least one dresser drawer and part of the closet so your guests can unpack their things. Set up a welcome basket with travel-sized toothpaste, shampoo and other essential items. Put fresh linens on the bed – including an extra blanket. Dust and vacuum and then close the door so you don’t mess it up before folks arrive.
Get your front hall ready
Clear out half of your coat closet to make room for everyone’s winter jackets – you can stash your out-of-season items in a bin under your bed. Set up a few rubber shoe trays so people can leave their wet winter boots there to drip.
Transform your bathroom
Take some inspiration from boutique hotel designers and turn your bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Scrub it from top to bottom, and lay out fresh hand towels, soaps and shampoos. Add some votive candles, too. Stock up on supplies your guests will be using, such as toothpaste, paper towels, toilet paper and basic medications, so you don’t run out over the holidays.
To make sure your water pressure is at its full capacity here’s an easy trick to clean the shower head. Fill a small plastic bag with vinegar and place it over the shower head so it’s submerged in the mixture. Tie the bag to the shower pipe with twist ties or a rubber band and let the shower head soak in the mixture for a couple of hours. Remove the bag, pour the vinegar down the drain and run some hot water through.
Add some cozy, festive décor
Get into the holiday spirit by adding candles, holiday garlands, table runners and twinkle lights in your living and dining area. And outside on your balcony if you have one. Just be careful to use the right extension cords; indoor ones can’t be used outside, for example. To be sure you keep your apartment and guests safe, be mindful about how much you plug in – you don’t want to overload your electrical circuits and blow a fuse. You may also want to double-check your lease agreement to make sure you’re allowed to hang lights on the balcony.
Make more room for mingling by moving furniture closer to the walls and borrow extra chairs if you need them.
Anticipate colder temperatures
Winter holidays usually bring colder weather. You’ll want your guests to feel as comfortable as possible, so in addition to turning up your heat, walk through your apartment and check for any drafty windows. If you find any, you can either caulk them or get a draft stopper. A long pillow or piece of fabric that blocks out the cold air will work, too. Have a pile of warm throws on the sofa and extra pairs of slippers. People can warm up during the festivities.
Set up beverage stations
Your guests will appreciate being able to find what they need quickly. In the kitchen, set up a coffee and tea area with mugs and supplies. In the living or dining area, put together a DIY bar cart using a rolling cart or small table. Keep wine glasses, mixers and alcohol there, along with some non-alcoholic drinks.
Advance prep is the key to a joyful holiday season
You’ll be thankful that you took the time to prepare your apartment for the holiday season before your friends and family arrive. You can then enjoy time with your guests instead of running around at the last minute.
Source: rent.com