The season of holidays and all that comes with it, winter, sees your home full of loved ones and laughter, whether they're stopping by for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's. However, this wonderful time can also be a season of stress when bringing your family and friends together to celebrate, whether they're just dropping in or planning to spend multiple nights. The key is preparation, so to ease those seasonal burdens, we've put together a few holiday hosting tips to help you confront the season with confidence, ensuring you can focus on making happy memories with everyone whether you're sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner, opening presents on Christmas morning, or counting down from ten with a drink in hand for the New Year!

Declutter

The first and perhaps most important tip is to declutter your home so that no one feels cramped when your living space is filled with people. We understand that you may not have time to sweep the house from top to bottom and put everything in its ideal place with the season fast approaching, but finding the time to walk through your house and pick up miscellaneous clutter like toys, books, magazines, gaming accessories, shoes, extra rugs and more, and storing the items quickly and conveniently out of sight allows you and your guests to enjoy the evening without standing shoulder-to-shoulder or tip-toeing around the house. If you're still seeking a place to store your unsightly items, a suitable hallway storage bench offers an ideal place to hide away a few things while providing your family and friends a spot to keep their boots as well as an area for them to sit down and take them off.

Decorations

The one time of year when it’s okay to go all out on decorations! From the moment your guests arrive, they should feel like they’ve entered a wonderland ready to celebrate. Make your loved ones feel welcome by filling your home with holiday-themed decor in every nook and cranny, from the front door to the guest bedroom and everything in between. Your front door should say “Happy Thanksgiving,” “Merry Christmas,” or “Happy New Year's,” and nothing says that more than holiday-themed door decor like a festive sign or a beautiful wreath. Once your guests walk through the door into the entryway, greet them with a basket or bowl of treats, washcloths, extra toiletries, and more to ensure that their stay feels extra special.

Regarding the guest bedroom, it's important to clean and refresh the room to make your guests feel at home by clearing clutter, washing or replacing the bedding, and going through the guest dressers and nightstands to be sure they're ready for your loved ones to use. But don't forget to keep up the festive feeling! Sprinkle the room with various holiday decorations on the dresser and nightstand, switch out the old pillow casing with something more fitting (perhaps even coordinated festive pillow cases), or add a new throw pillow or two designed with a specific holiday theme; you can also drape a holiday-themed throw blanket on top of the bed to provide guests with extra warmth and bring an updated style into the space. If you want to go the extra mile, the throws could also be a gift that your loved ones can take home to enjoy!

Speaking of holiday throw pillows, you can almost never go wrong with holiday hosting by adding a few to fill out the space in in nearly every room in the house. A throw pillow and blanket over the living room sofa, a small throw pillow on your dining room chairs, and added to the tops of beds in your home. Another option that can easily find a place in any living environment, candles are an affordable item that not only adds a splash of holiday color but can also fill the home with spectacular scents that compound your guest's senses. Don't forget to fill your home with seasonal music, too; that way, all of your guests' senses will be thoroughly stimulated with the charm of the holiday season in your home..

For that authentic dining experience, themed plates, tablecloths and runners, silverware, and even napkins make Christmas hosting all the more picturesque! Don’t forget a centerpiece, utilizing items like: candles, wreaths, holly, clear vases, baubles and more for an unforgettable tablescape that may become the conversation starter for friends and family.

Relax and Enjoy the Holiday

Remember, holiday decorations are for the select holiday and celebrate the season. They are not year round decor that you live with day to day. So one of the biggest stress inducers is trying to make everything perfect. However, remember that even if everything doesn't live up to an impossible standard, with a little preparation and imagination, you can ensure the scene is set for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year memories that will last a lifetime for your guests. And in the end, who could ask for more?