The hustle and bustle of the holidays is something I look forward to all year. I am especially fond of the nostalgic scenes set up around town and in department stores. The fun chaos that surrounds this time is energizing. For years, I have made excuses to nestle myself right in the middle of busy shoppers even if I have completed my lists. It’s such a wonderful time to be among the masses. There’s an effervescence that is nearly tangible! What’s even more enjoyable than crowds out in public are the special groups of people that spend time inside our home during this season. For each of us, there are a select few that we hold dear. Getting to spend quality time together feels extra special during the holidays.
To ensure a cozy and relaxing time, there is a certain level of planning that helps. Here’s a list of hosting prep most of us forget about. These tips are just as helpful even if we don’t have droves of people coming over. And really whether you apply these in November or June, it’s nice to be prepared throughout the year.
Food Storage
Get creative with extra food storage. Live in a cold climate? Use an ice chest and store outside just ensure to keep them safe from animals. This works in warmer areas as well, but you’ll need to rotate a fresh set of ice blocks out there to keep food cold.
You can also search online now for mini refrigerators. If you don’t mind a little elbow grease and cleaning, get a great deal from Marketplace, Offer Up or Craigslist.
Utilize alternative food organization for holidays and events (Original image source unknown).
Guest spaces
Need extra sleeping arrangements? Free standing trundle beds are available to buy. As an experienced t.bed owner I can tell you the best perk is they compress down to store flat. An inexpensive option that doesn’t leave bulky furniture around in your hosting off-season. If you’re short on space but not on budget- spring for a Murphy Bed. When not in use, the exteriors can be quite beautiful and flow well with the rest of your decor.
Linens
Ensure each planned guest has the ability to snuggle under a set of sheets. If you are increasing sleeping arrangements for the holidays, make sure to allot for the additional linens and never forget cozy coverage from a quilt or duvet. Thankfully, the online world has made it easier than ever to plump our linen closets with what we need. Collecting in advance means we can seek out the best deals and have them fresh & clean before November & December get too crazy.
Jen, at Dear Lillie, proves organization & prep can be equally functional as it is beautiful.
Garage
Finally create that dream space to park your car inside the garage so company can utilize the driveway. Too much stuff and not enough space? Overhead storage racks are amazing space-savers that can be placed in an afternoon. Up go the storage bins and in goes the car. Voila!
Overhead storage in the garage creates space for you and your guests. This storage unit was installed by Amy Baesler of Her Tool Belt.
Extra Stuff
Remove unnecessary items from one cupboard or shelf in every room. Don’t forget bathrooms, the pantry & closets. This can be done all at once or over a few days. You may have seen on my Instagram stories, I am the proud new owner of 2 empty cupboards in my kitchen! I have a couple ideas as to what to do with them, but for now I am proudly leaving them blank. The empty space fills my heart right up!
Guest Shoes
Think about where you want shoes to go when not in use. Strewn about? Orderly? Inside, outside? If you are Team Organization, search now for shoe organizers. While not always aesthetically pleasing, they really reduce the amount cluttered chaos near the doors. Want to take this to another level? Buy a vintage wardrobe armoire and have guests line the shelves with their footwear. It’s beautiful, practical, and after the guests leave you can keep it as is or repurpose elsewhere in the house.
Utilize a display cabinet or armoire for shoe storage. This one is by Amelia Widell.