• Holiday Entertaining Tasks to Add to Your To-Do List

  • Can you believe it? It’s already almost time to say goodbye to November! The holiday season is now in full swing, and people are making plans for Christmas. And, to avoid the stress of last minute preparations, planning is especially critical if you are going to be welcoming people into your home. Below are some tips to help you make hosting family and friends a breeze! 

    Do a Thorough Cleaning of Your Home 

    No amount of beautiful décor and interior design can cover up a messy and dirty home. You want to welcome your guests into a fresh home that is as spacious as can be.  

    The easiest way to avoid having to clean up messes is to get into a habit of putting things away after you use them. Each item having a dedicated storage area also helps tremendously. If you have too many items that don’t have homes, then it’s time to think about whether you really need those items. Start with the things you haven’t used in a year (or longer) and get rid of the ones you can do without. Sell those items or donate to a charity.  

    After all the big things are out of the way, you should do some detail work – carpets, tile, baseboards, kitchen cabinets. Splurge on a professional to save time. 

    Add Stylish Home Décor  

    Once everything is nice and clean, it’s time to add holiday décor! Instead of going out and buying every trinket you find (which can quickly turn into clutter), be mindful and go for a central theme. Just like your other belongings, all your holiday décor should have a home while being displayed and when it’s time to put it into storage for the next year.  

    Here are some places we suggest for holiday décor based on your style:  

    1. Vintage and antique shops – You don’t have to love old things to shop here. Being able to find unique items is also another great reason to check out your local shop. Plus, you get to support a small business…a win-win! 
    1. Local boutiques – In the spirit of supporting small businesses, your local boutique may be offering one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items for sale. 
    1. West Elm and CB2 – Those who have an affinity for modern design will love the modern holiday decor offered by these stores.  
    1. Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and World Market – If your style is homier and more traditional, you’ll surely find some things to fill your home with here!  
    1. Urban Outfitters – Many people think Urban Outfitters only sells clothing. But they have a huge collection of home goods! If edgy, eclectic, and youthful speak to you, then UO is the spot to browse for your holiday décor.  
    1. Anthropologie – You’ll find bohemian, modern country, and rustic décor here. And also, a large assortment of sweet-smelling candles! 
    1. Z Gallerie – Glam, sparkle, and shine is what it’s all about at Z Gallerie. Bring some drama to your Christmas décor this year!  

    Map Out the Menu  

    We admit that it can get nerve-wracking serving a large or larger-than-usual group of people. If possible, we suggest doing prep work a day or two early, so you don’t get stuck on the procrastination train. Many vegetables are sold peeled and/or pre-cut so we highly recommend taking that shortcut if you are pressed for time. This article from Business Insider contains many additional helpful tips on how to manage a feast for a crowd.  

    Those who want to host but dislike the idea of having to cook can hire their local caterer to do the cooking for them! Caterers are pros at handling meals for groups of people and will take the headache out of your holiday plans.  

    Set the Table  

    Call or message your invited guests ahead of time to confirm that they are coming to best prepare for seating. If you are in the market for a new dining table, we are huge fans of expandable tables that allow you to extend the table for additional seating when needed. Here are some budget-friendly options from Ikea and a higher-end option called the “Transformer Table”. 

    You should make sure you have enough plates, bowls, and utensils to serve your guests. Paper plates are an easy way out, but not very elegant. We suggest renting your tableware. This is an especially good idea for those who only have crowds over once or twice a year. 

    A Festive Holiday Playlist 

    There’s nothing that says “it’s the most wonderful time of year” like some holiday music! Many video and music streaming services such as YouTube and Spotify already have these playlists made for you. All you have to do is connect your device to a quality speaker to truly enjoy it. We personally love a good mix of traditional and pop holiday songs. 

    Here are a few of our favorites holiday tunes: 

    1. Last Christmas (the original by Wham! and the cover by Cascada)  
    1. Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande 
    1. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas (version by Michael Bublé) 
    1. This Christmas (by Oh Wonder)  
    1. Jingle Bell Rock (by Bobby Helms) 

    Christmas Aromas 

    Take things up a notch and make your home smell like the holidays! Scented candles will do the job and set the scene. But we love diffusers because they are safer, which is important if you are planning on having young children over.  
     
    There are many who say electronic diffusers (such as AromaTech and Aroma360) are the ultimate luxury when it comes to dispersing home scents. They cover a large square footage and allow the user to customize the fragrance’s intensity.  

    Woody notes like pine and cedar are very popular this time of year. The same goes for warm scents of creamy vanilla and spicy cinnamon.  

    The Perfect Gift 

    What are the holidays without the perfect gift? Give your loved one the new kitchen or bathroom from their wishlist. Contact us to learn more about how you can help make their home renovation dreams come true!