Hosting for the Holidays? Here’s a Stress-Free Guide to Prepping Your Home

Holiday hosting is upon us! It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year, but let’s also be real—it can be quite stressful, too. Inviting family and friends over for a Thanksgiving feast or Christmas dinner is one way to spike your heart rate (hopefully in a good way!), and as a beginner host, it can kind of feel like the Super Bowl. 

At the beginning of this year, I would get quite anxious about inviting friends over. I wanted everything to be perfect, but I’ve learned that creating a welcoming, joyful space doesn’t mean you have to deep-clean everything and micro-manage every detail. Stress-free entertaining should always be the goal! And a calm host sets the tone. 

Easy Ways to Prep Your Home for Guests

I’ve gathered some simple holiday hosting tips to keep things as relaxed as possible. It is the busiest time of year, after all. Here’s how to prep your home—and your mindset—for the holiday season, without losing your peace in the process.

Declutter Without Overwhelm

I used to think I shouldn’t invite guests over until my entire house was organized and clutter-free. I’m so glad this is no longer the case, as I’m not sure my home will ever be 100% organized, even if that’s the goal. Prepping your home for guests can look like focusing on high-traffic areas and visible surfaces. You want your entryway, living room, and dining room to be free of clutter, and the guest room prepped if you’re hosting overnight visitors. If you have to temporarily toss some things in the garage or the basement, have at it. You can tackle your organizing and decluttering in the new year!

Create a Cozy, Inviting Space

There’s nothing like entering someone’s home and instantly feeling welcome and cozy. Be sure there’s a clear space to set bags and shoes in your entryway and have plenty of comfy seating and snacks available as soon as your guests arrive. I love keeping a candle in the entryway so that guests are welcomed with a pleasant scent, and I have a playlist going in the background for even cozier vibes. Since it’s the holiday season, adorn your home with garland, greenery, and plenty of candles. I love decorating the tree, our mantle, and creating a simple but beautiful tablescape!

Clean, but No Need to Deep Clean

You’d think a list of holiday hosting tips would include a deep clean of your home, but guess again. Earlier this year, I stress-cleaned the inside of my microwave before guests arrived for a dinner party. I was so concerned about every tiny detail of my home being spotless, and I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to do that. Give your bathrooms a good wipe down and do a quick vacuum, but don’t stress yourself out by cleaning the entire house. Your guests are there to enjoy your company, not criticize your home. 

Add Simple Touches to Make Guests Feel Welcome

You don’t need to impress your guests—you care for them! There are some thoughtful gestures you can do to make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. It’s the little things like fresh towels, a candle lit in the powder room, a welcome note for overnight guests, extra chargers by their nightstands, and a coffee station with all of their favorite creamers for the next morning. Put yourself in their shoes—then add the little details accordingly.

Start Preparing Early

Holiday hosting can be simple and enjoyable—it just takes a little planning ahead. One of the best holiday hosting tips is to give yourself plenty of time to get organized: plan your menu, set the table, stock up on groceries, and refresh your home. Spreading out the prep work keeps stress low and lets you actually enjoy the process. A few minutes each day goes a long way. To help, here’s a simple holiday cleaning checklist you can follow the week leading up to your event.

• Monday: Declutter your high traffic areas
• Tuesday: Refresh your kitchen and bathroom
• Wednesday: Launder your linens and guest bedding
• Thursday: Vacuum
• Friday: (the day before) Set the table and curate the mood
• Saturday: Enjoy your party!

When it comes to holiday hosting, give yourself the gift of grace. Your guests will remember the coziness you create in your home, no matter how imperfect it may be. This time of year should be fun, not stressful, so be sure to prioritize your own joy as you celebrate the holiday season with the ones you love most. Happy hosting!