HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF AND YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The countdown to Thanksgiving starts now! And that means the holidays are in full swing, so it's time to start preparing your home for a busy season.

For most, Thanksgiving can be far more important than Christmas. It's the one day where relatives travel from near and far to be together. It's also the holiday where it’s imperative to start planning for ahead of time! There's so much to prep for – between the menu, the guest list, and making sure every corner of your house is spotless – so the sooner you create your to do list, the less stressed you'll be the day of.

No matter how nerve wracking things might seem, it's still an exciting time of year, and one you want to memorable! So beyond cleaning your home and cooking incredible food, make sure to take some time for yourself to enjoy this special day with your family!

YOUR HOME

Front Yard and Porch

• This is the first things guest will see as they walk up to your home, so make sure it’s well lit, swept, and inviting.

• Outfit your front yard and porch with seasonal decorations and plants.

Kitchen

• Create a little breakfast station breakfast bars, cereal, fruit, coffee and tea so guests can serve themselves without waiting for you in the morning.

• Be sure to clear out the refrigerator and cupboards of outdated items, and restock with fresh, seasonal items everyone will love.

• Replace old appliances with new ones to make a huge difference when you’re preparing meals for large groups.

• Make sure you have all of the tables, chairs, serving dishes, glasses and utensils needed to prepare, serve, and eat dinner.

• Stock up on the basics – garbage bags, plastic bags, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, disposable roasting pan, containers for leftovers, dish soap, dishwashing detergent, toothpicks, batteries, coffee filters.

Guest Bedroom

• Make sure you include fresh sheets, pillows and blankets on the bed, window coverings, bath towels, hairdryer, mini toiletries, and a wastebasket.

• Clear some closet space or a drawer to make your guests feel more at home. No one likes to live out of a suitcase.

• Provide your guests with a bedside clock and reading lamp. Not everyone goes to sleep or wakes at the same time.

Common Rooms

• Sort, recycle, and clear out excess mail, newspapers, magazines.

• Store away piles of toys, shoes, and things that have accumulated around the "drop-off points" of your home—the bottom of your stairs, entryways, and kitchen table.

• If the carpet isn’t looking it’s best, schedule a professional carpet cleaning or rent a carpet cleaning vacuum from your nearest grocery store to clean it yourself before your guests arrive.

• Clean the windows so that guests can see your outside decorations.

YOURSELF

• Create a budget and a list of what you need – figure out what can be borrowed and identify what items need to be purchased.

• Determine hosting or travel duties ahead of time – make sure you have everyone's flight and pickup details ready so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

• Allow for downtime! It’s easy to over-plan activities for holiday guests. Instead, plan a few tentative outings for visitors, and let guests appreciate the blocks of unstructured time to relax, chat, read, nap or even venture out on their own.

• Breath, have fun, and don’t be afraid to ask for help!