Fall is in full force, and Thanksgiving and the holidays are just around the corner. If you plan to host family and friends this upcoming season, here are some hints to prep your house for the smoothest and most stress-free gathering possible.
1. Turn down the heat.
With the added heat from cooking, body heat from guests (and potential hot-headed political discussions), turning down the heat a few hours before your guests arrive should help to keep things cool and breezy.
2. Set the table a few days in advance.
Setting the table can be a last-minute scramble, but it is one hosting to-do that you can finish ahead of time and won’t spoil. With that finished, you can focus on prepping the food and drinks for your guests and get yourself ready for the fun.
3. Clear the clutter.
Look for clutter around the living room, entryway, kitchen, and any prime places people will gather. Get rid of old mail, magazines, newspapers, and spent candles. Make space in the front closet or coat rack to accommodate your guests’ outerwear. Less visible chaos should help there be less hosting chaos.
4. Check your appliances.
Nothing spells a hosting disaster quite like a kitchen appliance issue. Clean out your refrigerator, stovetop, and oven, and make sure all are in good working order. If you need an appliance tune-up, schedule a repairman rather than waiting for the emergency.
