Holiday Home Checklist: Holiday Hosting Countdown

Author: Kate Nusbaum

Published: October 07, 2024

The holiday season is no doubt the busiest time of the year: there are seasonal events, holiday celebrations, plenty of shopping, and even more traveling. With all these things taking place (a lot of times simultaneously), it can be easy for important items on your holiday checklist to slip through the cracks.

If you’re traveling to visit family and friends, most of your tasks will include what to pack, travel plans, and how to prep your home for being gone an extended amount of time. If you’re the lucky family that’s hosting for the holidays, your whole home will need to be prepped for guests.

If you’re in the second group that’s hosting, we want to offer you a checklist that can help you keep things organized. This will include a general timeline, some helpful reminders, and quick home tips to give your visitors the best experience possible. We know that hosting during the holidays can be stressful, so we hope that this checklist will relieve some of that pressure. Let’s get ready for some holiday hosting!

 

ONE MONTH BEFORE

If you have guests coming to your home for the holidays, the best place to start is with the main details: how many people will be staying and for how long. Once you have a final headcount and definite timeline, the next step is making sure everyone has a place to sleep, sit, and gather. You’ll need to prep every room with the right furnishings and other necessities.

 

Let’s make a quick list for each room:

 

BEDROOM

Do you have enough beds for your guests? Do your bedrooms have enough storage space for them to unpack and unwind? Your guests will appreciate a private place to relax between the holiday activities. If your home has a limited number of bedrooms, you can use other spaces like offices, living rooms, dens, or parlors as places for guests to sleep. For beds, you can use air mattresses, cabinet beds, or sleeper furniture for those spaces.

 

Here are a few points to consider when looking over your bedrooms and sleep spaces:

  • Check if you need any new mattresses, including regular mattresses, air mattresses, cabinet beds, or sleeper furniture.
  • Check the amount of closet and/or drawer space in each room so your visitors can unpack their luggage.
  • Is there enough privacy between each of these spaces for your guests?
 

If any of these points need updating, the Furniture Mart can help with all your bedroom and sleep needs.

 

LIVING ROOM OR DEN

These areas can partially play into the bedroom/sleeping situation, depending on if guests will need to sleep in these rooms. If they are, you’ll have to choose the appropriate sleeping arrangements.

 

If the room is being used for sleeping only:

  • You can have more permanent sleep options like a regular mattress or cot that doesn’t need to be put away each morning.
  • Including storage space for guests will allow them to unpack and relax.

 

If the room is being used for sleeping and as a gathering place:

  • You can use sleeping options that are easy to put away each morning like air mattresses, cabinet beds, and sleeper sofas.
  • Having a separate space for guests to keep their luggage so it doesn’t need to be moved multiple times is a great option for you and your guests.
 

If these areas don’t need to be used for sleeping, then let the fun begin!

 

These rooms will be focal points for gathering and celebrating, so you’ll need enough seating for each guest. If food or drinks will be present in these spaces, you’ll also need table space to hold cups and plates. And lastly, these are the areas where you can go all-out with decorating.

 

With those in mind, here’s a checklist for optimizing your living room or den:

  • Will each guest have a place to sit? Think of sofas, sectionals, chairs, ottomans, benches, and other possible seats.
  • Do you have enough table space for food or drinks? Think of coffee and cocktail tables, side and end tables, bar carts, or trays.
  • Do you have your decorations pulled from storage? Are they placed yet?
 

From seating and accessories to storage and décor, you can find all your living room needs at the Furniture Mart.

 

DINING ROOM

In terms of prep, the dining room will be similar to your living room for seating and table space. You’ll need to have a seat for each guest, and a place for them at the table or tables. For some homes, there isn’t a formal dining room. If that’s the case, then you can use the living room (or a different room in your home) as a place for guests to eat.

 

If you do have a formal dining room, here are some points to consider:

  • Check to see if you have enough chairs, or if you will need more.
  • Check to see if your table has any extensions or leaves to accommodate everyone.
  • Check if the table will also be able to hold all the prepared food.
 

If you have questions about dining sets and features, you can speak with an expert in-store at the Furniture Mart.

 

ONE WEEK BEFORE

The holidays are quickly approaching! With one week before your guests arrive, the last travel details (picking family up from the airport, parking situations, grocery shopping, luggage arrangements, etc.) should be in order. Along with that, your specific furniture needs should be finalized and prepped in your home. With that in mind, we’ll go over the smaller details to check in each of these rooms:

 

BEDROOM

  • Wash sheets and blankets and make the bed.
  • Make sure drawers and closet spaces are cleared for guests to unpack their luggage.
  • If you are using any secondary rooms for sleeping (offices, dens, etc.), make sure the beds are set and made.
 

LIVING ROOM OR DEN

If the room is being used for sleeping only:

  • Make sure the beds are set and made.
  • Make sure drawers and closet spaces are cleared for guests to unpack their luggage.
  • Make sure there is enough privacy between each of these sleeping spaces.
 

If the room is being used for sleeping and as a gathering place:

  • If you’re able to, you can set up your temporary beds and make them.
  • If you’re not able to yet, you can wait until the day before or the morning of.
 

If the room is only going to be used for gathering:

  • Make sure all of your décor is placed.
  • Make sure your furniture is properly arranged.
 

DINING ROOM

If you don’t have a formal dining room:

  • Make sure the area you’re using for eating has enough seats and table space for each guest.

 

If you have a formal dining room:

  • Make sure your dining room has enough chairs for each guest.
  • Make sure the extensions or leaves in your table are set up.
 

With your dining area, make sure you have enough dishes for each guest, and double check your grocery list!

 

 

ONE DAY BEFORE

Your guests are arriving tomorrow! Below is a short list for each room:

 

BEDROOM

  • Vacuum and dust the room.
  • Double check the drawer and closet spaces to make sure they’re empty.
  • Make sure you have enough pillows and blankets for each guest.
 

LIVING ROOM OR DEN

  • If you haven’t yet, set up and make any temporary beds.
  • Vacuum and dust the room.
 

DINING ROOM OR KITCHEN

  • Make sure the dishes are washed and table or tables are wiped down.
  • Vacuum and dust the room.
  • Check if you need any last-minute groceries.
 

 

IT’S TODAY!

Your guests are arriving today! Hopefully, your checklist has kept you prepared, so today is all about being with your loved ones. If you’re picking them up from the airport, you can surprise them with a small gift. If they’re driving to your home, you can put a smile on their face with a festive parking sign for them in the driveway. Today is all about actions that will make the holidays extra special.

 

We hope that this checklist made your preparations easier and will let you fully enjoy the time you have with your friends and family.