5 Tips to Make Your Home Guest Ready

Having guests over is simultaneously a really exciting event and a pretty stressful one. At least at my house.

And the holidays are full of opportunities to have guests over. From cookie exchange parties (which are awesome) to family dinners. And I always want friends to feel like they can drop by, even unannounced. So here are a few tips I’ve learned to make (and keep) your home guest ready.

1. Hang a Wreath on the Front Door

I want guests to feel welcome from the moment they knock on the door. I think a wreath is the perfect way to start inviting guests inside. If you’ve been reading my blog for wrong you’ve probably discovered I’m a little wreath crazy. I like to change it up for every season/holiday. I’m still in love with the Wooden Star Wreath I made last Christmas.

 

2. Make a Wi-Fi Password Sign

I seriously love this. I always feel awkward asking someone for their wi-fi password. This way it’s out in the open, everyone knows what it is, and can share all the fun they are having at your house on social media. We have a guest network at our house with a password that I can change as I want or it’s needed.

 

3. Make the House Smell Good 

Let’s be very honest. I have three boys. Two of them are teenagers. Even if my house is technically ‘clean’ it doesn’t always smell clean. I love them to pieces, but there are certain boy odors that are prevalent in my home. Odor removing help (the spray, gel, and packs) from Fresh Wave is my secret weapon.

The spray can be used on anything. Bedding, clothing, trash cans. If you smell it, spray it. The odor removing gel likes to live in the bathroom. And the odor removing packs are perfect for small spaces: the boys closet and their shoe dresser/contraption (clearly I don’t how to explain the thing. It attaches to the wall, there is a ‘drawer’ for each kid that opens, and their shoes go in their spot. Boys shoe drawer = need for odor removing packs).

Oh, and in addition to those three boys I also have two indoor cats. And a litter box. Obviously an odor removing pack goes next to the litter box as well.

Not only does Fresh Wave do an excellent job of making it less obvious that three boys and two cats live in my apartment the moment you open the door, but the products use the power of nature to actually remove odors. Environmentally friendly, non-toxic (it’s just plant oils and water), and safe for your family and fur babies. Fresh Wave is available exclusively at Target.

 

4. Cook (aka Feed Your Guests)

But don’t stress yourself out about it. Take a little help from the store. Try a potluck gathering. I love having lots of finger foods and appetizers. It doesn’t have to be perfect. There is just something about sharing a meal with family and friends that brings everyone a little closer together.

And have a little fun with your food. This year I added two pieces of bacon to my pecan pie and my guests went through the roof.

 

5. Don’t Forget The Guest Bathroom

Do you ever go into a bathroom and the towels look so pretty that you feel guilty using them? My mother-in-law has a sign in her guest bathroom near the towels encouraging people to use the towel. I should take a picture of it and share it.

While you might be able to hide a pile of laundry that you didn’t quite get folded on your bed (guilty) the bathroom is one place that at least one of your guests will surely need to use. Make sure that soap, towels, and extra toilet paper are in sight and easy to use.

 

Are you expecting house guests over any time soon? What are your best tips to get ready?

Thanks to Fresh Wave for sponsoring todays house guest tips. All thought, opinions, and comments are 100% mine.