Prepping Your Home for Guests – Day 17

Welcome!

This is Day 17 of the 21 Days to a Stress Free & Debt Free Christmas.  I’m so excited that you are joining me for what I hope will be a really helpful series designed to walk with you step by step through the Christmas season in a way that ensures you keep your sanity and that you don’t overspend.

Today, we’re going to talk about prepping your home for holiday guests.

Let me start off my stating a couple of facts.  First, I am not an expert at housekeeping.  I do the best I can, and sometimes that has to mean that it’s livable rather than perfect.  Secondly, your hospitality is far more important than the condition of your home.  People who come to my home do not expect Martha Stewart {they know that’s not gonna happen- ha!}, but I hope that they know we love spending time with them.  With all that said, I do think there are some ways you can prepare your home for holiday guests without loosing your mind.

1.  Don’t try to do it all in one day

Unless you have unlimited amounts of time, there is no way that you will be able to clean and straighten up your home in one day.  Depending on how large your home is and the number of guests, it could take you a few days.  That’s okay.  Since you know that you can’t get it all in one day, make sure you don’t procrastinate.

2.  Set realistic goals & prioritize them

Make a list of the areas of your home you’d like to clean or the tasks that you’d like to complete before your guests arrive.  Jot them all down.  Now, number them in order of the most important.  Determine what must be done first and then you can always work on the others if you have time.

When I’m hosting guests, cleaning the bathrooms, vacuuming*, and having fresh linens are usually the highest on my list.  I’m usually able to let go of the fact that there is dust on my baseboards as long as my guests have a clean bathroom and towels to use…but that’s just me!  🙂

3.  Create a cleaning schedule

Divide up the tasks on your list and create a cleaning schedule.  This allows you to break it up into smaller chunks that are more manageable.  If certain areas of your home get heavy use, save those until the day or so before your guests arrive so that they are “freshly cleaned.”  Do what works for you.

4.  Delegate tasks to your family members

Believe it or not, I struggle a little bit with delegation.  I like things done a certain way when it comes to my home, but I have to let go when there is so much to be done in little time.  Ask your husband if he can pitch in {which The Teacher is usually happy to do} and incorporate your children into the cleaning chores as well.  Assign your kids tasks based on their age and ability, but even a toddler can help with dusting or picking up toys.

5.  Make tidying up part of your family’s evening routine

Once you have worked so hard to prepare your home for guests, it can be a challenge to keep it that way!  If you don’t already, make tidying up part of your family evening routine.  It’s much easier to just keep it tidy and spot clean as needed.

6.  Give yourself lots of grace

Your houseguests are more attracted to you than they are your home.  Even if your home is beautiful and spacious, you are still the main attraction.  Let go of your desire to your home be perfect for your guests.  More than likely, you will not be abl to get everything done in time or there will be areas you miss.  Even if it is clean before they come, it won’t be soon after they arrive.  Enjoy making memories with your house guests and worry about it later.