I am going to entertain overnight guests -- relatives and friends who live out of state -- during the Christmas holidays. Got any tips for a stress-free experience?
"If you expect overnight guests, try out the guestroom by spending a night there first," advises professional organizer Becca Clark, owner of Creative Convenience. "Pretend you are a hotel guest and look at it with outsider's eyes."
Questions to consider:
• Are the bed (mattress, linens, pillows, blanket) and the room comfortable?
• What items would you want -- clock, hangers, tissues, extra blanket?
• Does the room need to be deep cleaned?
If so, this is a good time to work on de-cluttering the space, which often becomes a catch-all area for random items, Clark says.
"Try not to stress too much," Clark suggests. "Guests would prefer a house that isn't perfect and a more relaxed host."
"Think of what your demands would be if you visited them and lower your expectations and blood pressure. It's about the fun and friendship.
"I love this quote by writer Nancie J. Carmody, which puts it all into perspective -- 'I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends,'" Clark says.
In advance of the visit, plan menus of quick and easy-to-prepare meals and ensure the needed ingredients are on hand. Also consider other options such as dining out and buying prepared meals such as refrigerated or frozen casseroles, soups and salads from a local catering business.
Once guests arrive, take them up on any offers they make to help out. Doing so is rewarding for the guest, who feels as though they are contributing, as well as the host.
"Anytime a guest asks, 'May I set the table/mix drinks/answer the door/clean up after -- say yes," Clark advises. "It will ease your workload, and it helps others who may be uncomfortable being served and/or seeing you become overwhelmed. Some shy folks would love to have something to do rather than making small talk at a party so helping you helps them too."
Also, arrange items in the home in such a way to encourage guests to help themselves.
"This is a perfect time and excuse to organize parts of your kitchen," Clark suggests. "Having similar items all corralled into one place makes it much easier for guests to find what they need. Place coffee- and tea-making supplies near the coffeepot, paper goods together and out in the open where they can be easily found. Also gather often-used items like can and bottle openers together in one place is also a good idea.
"Group [similar items] into a single place and make life easier for your guests and for you after they've gone home," Clark says.
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or email:
lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 12/10/2016