Levoit's Guide to Holiday Hosting

Gather round, bundle up, and get ready to make some memories. Sure, the holidays can be hectic with preparing meals, hosting visiting loved ones, and yes, picking out the right tacky sweater to wear. Preparing your home for guests can be a stressful feat, but have no fear, we’re here to help so you can get back to what matters most: spending time with the ones you love.

From arrival to departure, here’s everything you need to know to transform your home into a clean, comfortable, and welcoming haven for any visitors you have this coming holiday season. And with this handy how-to guide, you can bet that not only will your home dazzle guests with its fresh coziness, but you might even have trouble getting rid of them. Read on to learn how to get your home guest-ready this holiday season.

A Decluttered Home is a Welcoming One

Step one. Decluttering makes a world of difference in creating a clean, organized sanctuary that immediately tells someone walking in to make themselves at home. And after a frenetic day of travel or traffic, coming home to cozy, uncluttered haven might be just what your guests need.

Tidy High-Traffic Areas First: These are spaces like the living room, kitchen, and guest bedrooms—where you know your guests will be the most!

Sort and Organize: Sort through things you no longer need, while putting away items like unsightly papers, misplaced toys, or unused appliances.

Clear Surfaces: Tidy countertops, tables, and shelves to make your home feel more spacious and convey a satisfying sense of calm.

Make Room for Your Besties: Double check there’s enough closet or cabinet space in your guest bedrooms and bathrooms so your visitors can feel right at home.

Take Care of the Deep Cleaning

Now that you’ve decluttered, you’re ready to get into the nitty gritty of cleaning so your sanctuary will be as sparkling and inviting as ever.

Spot Clean Carpets and Upholstery

Sweep/Vacuum and Mop Hard Floors

Focus on the Guest Rooms

Wipe Down Surfaces

Dust Shelves, Ceiling Fan Blades, and Blinds

Make Sure Your Guests Know the Pet Situation

It’s great to get excited about your best friends meeting your other four-legged best friends, but it’s important to let any guests know about them before they arrive for the holidays. You never know who might have sensitivities to pet fur and dander. Clear communication is key to ensuring everyone’s comfortable, cozy, and wagging their tails.

Cover Your Sensitivity Bases: Ask in advance if anyone visiting has sensitivities to pet dander and hair. Want to go a step further? Run a Levoit Vital 200S Air Purifier to free the air of any excess irritants.

Create a Pet-Free Zone: Designate certain areas in your home that are strictly for humans, so guests can retreat to a pet-free sanctuary if need be.

Other Accommodations: If your pets are nervous around large crowds, consider setting up a space for your pets to relax away from your guests, like a spare bedroom or a doggy daycare, to ensure a peaceful holiday for all.

Beat the Rush and Cook Ahead

Holiday dinners can be stressful, especially if you’re starting from scratch on the day of. To keep you out of the kitchen and spending more quality time with friends and family, plan and prepare your holiday feasts before they arrive!

Meal Prep: Chop veggies, marinate meats, and make sauces ahead of time. Some holiday staples like casseroles or soups can be made a day or two in advance and reheated when needed, making them a breeze to serve up.

Cook in Batches: Large portions of meals like stews, roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes can all be made ahead of time to help minimize stress before you take on the main courses at dinner time.

Try It Buffet Style: A buffet or potluck dinner gives guests a chance to serve themselves while taking off the pressure to keep everything hot at once. Plus, it’s massively fun!

Cover Your Blanket, Pillow, Towel, and Linen Bases

Give your guests the gift of comfort with a bounty of extra towels, pillows, and blankets.

Fresh Linens: Is there anything better than freshly washed sheets? Paired with extra pillows and blankets, your guests will be comfortable throughout their holiday stays.

Towels for Days: Provide a surplus of clean towels with extras stored in the guest bathroom. Your guests will thank you.

Roll Out the Welcome Wagon: Set the holiday precedent high with a welcome basket in your guest rooms full of fun snacks, treats, and holiday knick-knacks.

Stock Up on Bathroom Toiletries

People always forget things when traveling, so stocking up on toiletries like soap, shampoo, toilet paper, and toothpaste will ensure everyone feels at home and taken care of.

Tissues and toilet paper: Extra rolls and tissue boxes are key to making sure everything runs smoothly. After all, no one wants to have to awkwardly ask for more toilet paper in the middle of a holiday dinner.

Hand Soaps and Sanitizers: Traveling can sometimes bring germs along for the ride, so stocking up on soap and sanitizer stations in bathrooms and shared spaces is key to making sure everyone stays happy and healthy.

Extra Toiletries: Extra shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and toothpaste in the bathrooms is a nice touch for forgetful travelers who may have left things behind.

Add Some Holiday Cheer

Once everything’s clean, organized, and well-stocked, it’s time to get into the fun stuff: the spirit of the season. Add some holiday decorations to create a joyous, warm mood and put a smile on the face of everyone who walks through your door.

Set Your Table: Whether you and your guests are gearing up for a big family feast or casual get-together, setting the table in advance with an eye-catching centerpiece or cornucopia of holiday cheer will set a picture-perfect mood.

Decorate with Purpose: A little goes a long way when it comes to decorating. Festive touches like wreaths, string lights, and fresh garlands create a cozy ambiance.

Subtle Scents: Light up your favorite seasonal candle or use essential oils to infuse your home with classic holiday scents like cinnamon, pine, and vanilla. Always be careful you’re not overdoing it! Again, a little goes a long way.

Savor Every Moment

Remember why you and your loved ones are all together. The holidays are about enjoying each other’s company and bringing everyone together under one roof, so after all your preparation, relish making memories and savor moments you’ll never forget.

Be Present: Whether you’re reminiscing over a cup of coffee or belly laughing during a hearty meal, every minute counts. Take a breath and live in the moment.

Ax the Stress: Remember, nobody’s perfect. It’s okay if everything doesn’t go exactly as you imagined. It’s all about special moments and cherishing your loved ones, not hosting a flawless event.

Don’t Sweat the Little Things: In the spirit of the season, let things go and sink into the moments you’re making with your loved ones. Life’s too short to worry about the little things you can’t change.

Summary: Getting Your Home-Holiday Ready

With these simple tips, you'll be able to create an inviting and comfortable environment for all your holiday guests. From decluttering to adding fun, festive flair, here’s a quick overview of how best to prepare your home for holiday fun: