Reduce Stress As You Prepare For The Holidays

Ready or not: Here come the holidays! For many of us, this is the happiest time of year and the busiest time of the year. As we prepare to enjoy the season with friends and family, guests will be coming and going. Are you ready? Is your home ready?

Whether your guests are staying just for the day or overnight, a checklist may help make your home as comfortable as possible and may help to reduce stress as you prepare for the holidays.

Here are some ways to prepare your home for company, entertaining and celebrating the season.

Holiday checklist

Entrance
Keep walkways and porches free of ice and snow.
Make sure all outdoor lighting is functioning properly and is turned on at dusk.
Establish a place to collect all winter weather apparel, including boots, where people won’t trip over them.

Living area
Schedule a professional carpet cleaning, if the carpet isn’t looking its best.
Clean the windows so guests can see your outside decorations better.
Spice up the room inexpensively with toss pillows, attractive candles and so on.

Bathrooms
Replace grout for a fresh look, if the tile looks dingy.
Make sure the bathroom fan is in operating condition to help keep your bathroom clean and mildew-free.
Check safety rails in tub and shower enclosures.
Make sure you have enough guest bath and/or hand towels.

Kitchen
Check the condition of the countertops, cabinets and appliances.
Festive dish towels, napkins and placemats can give your kitchen and/or dining area a holiday feel.
Guest rooms
Make sure the guest beds have fresh linens.
Clear some closet space or a drawer to make your guests feel more at home.
Provide your guests with a bedside clock and reading lamp.
Stock the guest bath with extras of easily forgotten items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, hairspray and such.

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