‘Tis the season for house guests and holiday parties! If you find yourself acting as host over the holidays, preparing your home for guests can feel like a daunting task. We understand the struggle of getting your home guest-ready, so we’ve prepared a few tips for those who want to leave your guests wondering how you could have possibly thought of everything!

1. Consider the flow

Have you ever found yourself at a party and weren’t quite sure where you should be situated? Don’t have your guests questioning where to mingle, try to set up your home to make the flow of the party clear.

• If you have an open-concept floor plan, party flow is a bit simpler as everyone can be in one space. However, you can still create dedicated spaces for activities. For example food and drinks should have a designated area that includes tables and seating, allowing your guests to enjoy the feast hassle free.

• If your home isn’t open concept, you’ll likely find that people get separated or pack themselves into one area, such as your kitchen as you’re trying to cook! If this is the case, try to set up activities in each room to keep guests moving around. Try a room with games for adults, a room with toys and activities for kids, a room with food and drinks, and a room for quiet conversation.

Regardless of your floorplan, it’s always important to make sure you have appropriate seating options. Your guests likely don’t want to stand all night, and maybe your typical living room setup isn’t sufficient for the extra bodies. Grab extra chairs and rearrange couches for optimal seating; your guests will appreciate it!

2. Storing coats and shoes

Hosting parties in the winter means guests wearing winter coats and snow-covered boots. So where do you put it all?

• If you have an entryway with a closet, we highly recommend clearing it of your personal items (or as many as possible) and leaving it empty and ready for your guests to use on arrival. Have ample hangers available for coats and clear the floor for shoes.

• If you don’t have space in your entry for this, we suggest dedicating a room in your home to storing coats and implementing some sort of system. We’ve all been to a party where our coats get thrown into a spare room, and at the end of the night you find yourself digging through a pile of parkas.

• If you have the time, try prepping gift tags with each guest’s name on them. When they arrive, add the tag to the coat to make it faster to find at the end of the night!

To keep wet boots and shoes from becoming a tripping hazard, you can set up tiered shoe racks or simple shelving to keep footwear up off the ground if space is limited. In a pinch, boxes or milk crates stacked on their sides will do!

3. Remember your furry family members

The holidays come with many challenges for pet owners. From toxic substances like poinsettias and chocolate in abundance, to extra travel and added stressors. Every pet handles these challenges differently, but it’s important to consider their reactions, especially when inviting large groups into your home.

If you have a pet who loves attention from both adults and children, and doesn’t get stressed by the hussle and bussle, then your main concern will be of your guests. If you plan to keep your pet at home while hosting a party, ensure all your guests are comfortable with their presence and that there are no allergies to be concerned about.

It’s important to ensure everyone is aware of your four legged resident, so they don’t sneak out through open doors, or get fed something harmful by accident. It’s also a good idea to have a quiet space set up away from the group where they can escape to if needed.

On the other hand, if your pet is easily startled, stressed, doesn’t like children, or is always getting into mischief, you may want to consider arranging a sleepover for them! No one is going to enjoy themselves if they’re being harassed by a dog stealing food, or nipping at little ones. And your pet shouldn’t have to spend the night hiding in a dark room alone either. Plan ahead by booking them a doggy hotel, sitter, or arrange with a friend or family member who won’t be at the party.

Every fur mom and dad knows their pets best, so just try to consider the best interest of both your pets and your guests we\hen making plans. Every person, canine, feline, or otherwise, deserves to enjoy the holidays!

4. Don’t spend the whole night in the kitchen

When feeding a large group it’s easy for the host to become trapped in the kitchen. Finding the right balance that allows time to socialize and relax will make the evening more enjoyable for you and your guests!

• Preparing as much of the food in advance is an easy way to stay ahead of the game. Plan your menu to include dishes that can be made a day or two ahead of time, such as butternut squash soup (the flavour actually deepens after a day or two), Creme Brulee (needs to set in the fridge overnight), or cold salads and dips. For a main, something like a hearty lasagna can be assembled ahead (and even frozen) then popped into the oven once your guests arrive.

• Once the meal is over, recruit a couple other people to help clear the table and load the dishwasher, but if possible, leave hand washing dishes until the next day after you’ve had a chance to decompress.

• When time for dessert rolls around, have a few people take coffee and tea requests while you lay out the treats. Then throw up your feet and enjoy the end of the night with your guests!

Remember – the mess isn’t going anywhere, but your guests are, so enjoy your time together!

5. Getting your guests home safely

Part of the added responsibility as the host is to ensure that everyone gets home safely. Most people are good at planning ahead and choosing a dedicated driver. We suggest having a backup plan whether that be an organized pick up and drop off so they don’t have to drive at all or maybe even a place for them to sleep over.

• Prepare your guest bedroom, and gather extra pillows and blankets for those “just in case” moments.

• For arranging a designated driver, it could be a friend or a family member or maybe even a friendly neighbour. It’s important to remember that ride shares and taxis can be really busy this time of year and some areas are not serviced by these alternatives, so it’s best not to assume they’ll be available for all your guests.

By following these tips, your home will be guest-ready in no time and you’ll be the talk of the town! Your guests will be blown away by how you’ve seemed to think of everything and planned accordingly!

Happy and safe holidays!