Are you hosting for the holidays? Whether this is your first time playing host or you’ve perfected the role, having a game plan for the big event will help you stay organized and keep the holiday stress at bay. In this article, we’re sharing some of our favorite tried-and-true tips on hosting family for the holidays to help you master the job!

Plan & Prepare

Procrastinators, we see you and we hear you! But don’t let the idea of hosting for the holidays scare you away from making a solid game plan. Preparations are just as (if not more) important than the main event! Whether that means you create a timeline for the big day—cocktails, appetizers, feast, and then games—or you only go as far as planning the main course, having an idea of what the future holds will give you the peace of mind you need to get organized. 

If you have family flying in or that’s planning to stay for a few nights, it might be worth prepping the spare room. Make sure linens are clean and towels are available; bonus points if you offer some travel toiletries. While you go through your checklist, don’t forget to plan some time for cleaning. You don’t need to deep clean your entire home, but you should make sure public areas are spotless—especially the bathroom, which brings us to our next tip. 

Stock Up

From food to toiletries, hitting the stores for goods before the masses will ensure you have everything you need for the big day. That said, there is a big difference between stocking up and panic buying. Before you go crazy and purchase 50 rolls of toilet paper (please don’t), sit down and make a list. Here are some of the items you’ll want to include:

• Recipe ingredients
• Utensils, cups, napkins, and paper plates
• Cleaning products (including garbage bags)
• Toiletries (toilet paper, air freshener, travel-sized shampoo for guests, etc.)
• Sanitary items (soap, hand sanitizer, air filters, etc.)
• Candles for some ambiance and perfume

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

When all is said and done, don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t wait until you’re completely overwhelmed to do it. You’re the host, so you get to establish expectations and rules for your guests. If that means making Thanksgiving a potluck so that you can focus on cleaning, so be it. If it means ordering dinner from a local restaurant that’s offering a menu, do it! Your friends and family will be more than happy to pitch in where they can.

We hope this list of tips will help you prepare for your family this holiday season! For more tricks, check out our blog. Chesmar Homes specializes in constructing functional, stylish newly constructed homes in communities throughout Texas’ most desirable cities, including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, and elsewhere in Central Texas!