Holiday plans in place, check. Guests arriving, check. But, oh no, what about the house?! Prepping for the holidays tacks on unwanted stress—there's no doubt about that. With proper planning, you can enjoy a relaxing time with friends and family without any worries. From now until New Year’s, get a jumpstart on your resolutions with these holiday-home tips.

1. Use Seasonal Scents

Welcome your guests with the aroma of the season. Pine, spices, and sweets galore, your holiday candles’ scents add an extra dimension to your holiday extravaganzas. 

2. Clean the Floors

The more you do in advance to prepare your home for foot traffic and activity, the better. Once you catch any dirt from the top of furniture and shelves, move on to cleaning the floors of dust and debris. There’s nothing like welcoming your guests with the sparkle of immaculately clean floors!

3. Clean Out the Fridge

Leading up to the event, it’s key to clear out your kitchen and refrigerator to make room for holiday dishes. Begin by tossing out expired food and freeing up space by condensing items into smaller containers. Take this opportunity, while your fridge is being emptied, to wipe down the shelves and drawers.

4. Transition the Decor

As we pass from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year’s, there’s certainly no shortage of excitement between those few weeks. And, each holiday tends to have its own set of decorations. Prepare to take the turkey figurines down in lieu of reindeer figurines come December 1st. From then on, check back on this list before setting up your winter decorations.

5. Dress Up Your Entryway

The first place your guests will see of your home is the entryway. Spread holiday cheer to everyone who walks into your home with themed decor. For Christmas, consider setting the nearside table with a miniature Christmas tree, family photos, and jolly garland. These decorations help set the tone for what guests can expect the more they venture inside.

6. Prep the Guest Room

If you plan on inviting guests to stay in your home during the holidays, they’ll need all of the comforts of home for the duration of their trip. Make sure that the room is tidy, and outfitted with a cozy bed, a well-lit lamp, and a dresser for clothing.

7. Prep the Kitchen

A holiday-ready kitchen is key to a successful holiday get-together. This is where people are gathering, food is being made, and messes are likely to happen. Get a head start on shopping for groceries, cleaning necessary cookware for the day of, and clearing tabletops for the expected heap of food.

8. Stock Up On Essentials

From ensuring the heating is up to par to providing essential items for overnight guests, it’s always important to assess your home and prepare for as much as you can. Some items to always have on hand are paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and toothpaste. In addition, cleaning out the fireplace beforehand can make the cold winter nights much more enjoyable.

Building and customizing your home to fit your vision is exactly what we do. With Fairfield Homes, you’ll build a top-end, quality home on one of the most beautiful sites in Southern Arizona. Enjoy the best desertscape views now and for your next holiday celebration. Contact us today to get started!