6 Tips for the Holiday Host

It’s that time of year again. Time to gather for food and fun. But what if the gathering place is your home? Here are six tips to help you host your holiday guests.

1. Plan your holiday get together early. Now is the perfect time to prepare for your holiday gathering. Collect recipes, shop for ingredients, prepare a guest list, and plan your activities. Keep all of this information in your planner so you can refer to it as you progress toward the big event.

2. Extend an invitation only if you really mean it. If you invite guests that you believe will never come, they’ll notice your lack of preparation when they arrive. Nothing says, “I didn’t really expect you to come” like an unprepared host. It makes your guests feel very uncomfortable.

3. Freshen the guest bathroom. It doesn’t take much to touch up the guest bathroom, but a clean tub, toilet, sink and a clear counter will make your guests feel at home. Be sure they have clean face and bath towels as well, especially if they plan to stay the night. It’s also nice to provide travel-sized toiletries that they can use and keep. This time of year it’s easy to find holiday scented soap or even bars of soap in holiday shapes to spice things up.

4. Spruce up the guest bedroom. It’s amazing what a quick sweep of the vacuum and a fresh set of sheets does to the guest room. It gives them a place to sprawl and a place to keep their travel gear organized.  Create an empty corner so they can keep their luggage out of their way while they’re in your home. A beautiful basket loaded with holiday snacks is another fun way keep them smiling.

5. Light a candle and play some music. There’s something relaxing about music, candlelight, and the aroma of good food.

6. Delegate the cooking. Make a list and shop early for the ingredients you’ll need for your meals. Cook what you can ahead of time. Desserts can usually be baked the night before so your oven is free for your main dishes. Often your guests will offer to bring something to eat for the gathering. Don’t turn down that offer. Give them an assignment that will free up your kitchen as well as your time. After all, you’re part of the party too. You don’t want to spend the whole time in the kitchen and miss the conversation.