This post is sponsored by Spot Shot® Instant Carpet Stain Remover. All opinions are my own.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s the most social time of the year, too! Making memories with family and friends is one of the best parts of the holidays, and with a little pre-planning, it doesn’t have to be stressful.
Today I’m going to share a few easy tips that will keep your holiday game on track, whether you’re hosting a huge bash, a quiet dinner, or a house full of guests.
Plan Ahead
A little preplanning goes a long way when it comes to reducing entertaining stress. I keep the ingredients for a few easy appetizer ideas on hand at all times during November and December in case friends drop by, and I try to double (and then freeze) some of our favorite meals for the same reason.
If you like to plan out your holiday on paper, then let me recommend our holiday planner. Download it for free and then print it at home or the office supply store.
Just enter your name and email address and click below to download our 22-page holiday printable planner. It’s our gift to you!
Don’t Strive for Perfection
My holiday mantra is “don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” Your home doesn’t have to be picture-perfect to be perfectly hospitable!
If you want to host a large group but don’t want to be in the kitchen days ahead of time preparing, ask everyone to bring a dish to share, or set up a simple self-serve menu. Soup and sweets is one of my favorite holiday themed parties, and of course wine and cheese is always a crowd pleaser and so easy.
| DIY Cheese Board |
Keep the Guest Room Ready
We host a lot of overnight guests and so I always try to have the guest room ready with clean sheets and lots of fluffy pillows. During the holidays, I try to change the sheets and wash the towels as soon as one guest leaves so we’re ready in case another one drops in unexpectedly or my oldest comes home from college for the weekend.
A few years ago, I wrote a detailed post on what makes a well-stocked guest bedroom; see it here for more ideas on making your guest room a cozy retreat
Set Up a Coffee Station
This is one of my survival techniques when we have houseguests because I am NOT a morning person. This way, everyone can brew their own cup of joe and I can roll over and catch forty more winks while they get caffeinated.
If there are kids in the group, add hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Make Clean Up Easy
Don’t be afraid to use plastic and paper products to make cleanup fast and easy; if ever there was a time to employ modern conveniences, this is it! Make sure all of your guests know where to find the trash and recycling and with any luck most of the mess will take care of itself.
When the fun’s over, there are invariably spots and spills that need to be cleaned up, and we are brand loyal to Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover. There’s nothing better for removing food and drink stains on your carpets and area rugs–even the dreaded red wine spills! Amy and I have used Spot Shot for years, especially because it works so well on older stains that have had time to set.
We also keep Spot Shot® Pet Instant Carpet Stain & Odor Eliminator on hand because Harley and Brontë are important–and sometimes messy–members of the family. If there’s a better time to drag a completely full bag of trash around the house, Harley doesn’t know when it is!
Just spray, let the foam soak in, wait five minutes, and blot with a white cloth or towel.
Repeat as needed until you’re thrilled with the results:
Entertaining is so much easier when clean up is a breeze!
To learn more about Spot Shot and get lots of great cleaning tips, visit the Stain Fighting Community on Facebook.
Spot Shot is available at Walmart stores nationwide. Click here to find a store near you, and don’t forget to grab your $1 off coupon here.
Happy entertaining, and thanks for stopping by!
All super great ideas. Thanks
Thanks, Marty! Have a great weekend.Christy