How to Prepare for Christmas Guests in the Home

After a year of uncertainty it appears that Christmas get togethers are back on the agenda, albeit perhaps slightly smaller ones than we're used to. One of the best parts of the season is spending time with family and friends and now you can host a small gathering again it's time to think logistics. Having guests to stay can be stressful especially over the festive period as it can be so easy to over-stretch yourself making sure every little detail is perfect for your loved ones. But, with some forward-thinking and planning you can make sure that their stay is enjoyable for both you and your visitors. Read our tips on how to prepare for Christmas guests in the home…

One of the main aspects to prepare for Christmas guests is of course where they will sleep. If your guestroom is starting to look tired or like many spare rooms, is storing items that won’t fit anywhere else in the home, now is your chance to refresh and declutter the space ready for your loved ones. Once you have gotten rid of any items that shouldn’t be there, you can look at the space itself, is there anything that needs touching up or repairing? If not, you can go straight to the styling. Soft sheets are a must for guest bedrooms along with perfectly plump pillows and duvets to provide comfort for your visitors.

Bedside tables and wardrobe space are ideal for making your guests feel at home during their stay and don’t forget ambient bedside table lighting for reading. If space allows you could also add a chair or desk for visitors to be able to relax in their own space whilst there. Along with soft sheets, fluffy towels are also essential for guests and these should be left out easily for them to spot as they arrive, so they can have a hot bath or shower if they have travelled far. Make sure the room also includes cosy finishing touches to really make the space stand out. Rugs, cushions and a thick throw at the edge of the bed will all create an inviting atmosphere.

The kitchen itself is something which is often overlooked when we prepare for Christmas guests, as cooking for more people than normal can quickly lead to running out of equipment and space. Oven space is a premium, so if you can, place multiple foods on the same baking tray or roasting tin, alternatively precook as much as possible to just be reheated when nearly ready to serve. Also make sure there is enough serveware, cutlery and tableware for each person plus more to ensure you don’t run out before you have the chance to put the dishwasher on.

The Christmas day meal needs the most forward planning to create not only a sumptuous menu but to also make sure the table is styled to perfection too. Christmas table decorations don’t need to be tricky – start with a tablecloth or runner, then look to create an eye-catching centrepiece which complements your overall Christmas scheme. This can be as simple as a candle holder filled with lit candles, a Christmas garland, a detailed floral arrangement or even a decadent Christmas dessert. Layered tableware creates a refined festive table look, so make sure you opt for charger plates along with your usual dinner and salad plates.

Once the main aspects of guests staying have been taken care of, you can look to those small little indulgences which will make the experience even more special for your visitors. Simple white bathrobes or slippers will give your guest room a high-end hotel feel and are perfect for your guests to wrap up in when lounging in their room. To take the luxury hotel feel that one step further, you can also add the token chocolate to the pillows and include basic tea and coffee making facilities) on a tray so your guests can enjoy their morning beverage from the comfort of their room whilst also giving you a few precious more minutes peace before you start preparing breakfast.