Last-Minute Guest Essentials: 6 Tips for Holiday Hosting
Must-haves for hosting this holiday season.
Whether you're decorating cookies, attending parties, or picking up the perfect gifts, the holiday season can be the busiest time of the year. Don't let last-minute hosting get in your way of enjoying the festivities. From extra pantry staples to a spare set of sheets to crowd-pleasing board games, keeping these last-minute essentials on hand will keep your home well-stocked for any impromptu hosting. We've put together a list of must-haves that will help you prep your home for guests and achieve a "the more the merrier" approach to holiday hospitality.
1. Have Something to Sip & Snack On
If your guests are stopping by for an afternoon or staying for the weekend, it's best to keep your kitchen stocked with some snacks and beverages that are easy to prepare. Last-minute guests don't always leave you enough time to run to the store for charcuterie board ingredients or fresh baked goods. Simple staples like a bag of tortilla chips and a jar of salsa, a roll of refrigerated cookie dough, or frozen appetizers are perfect for a pinch. Arrange the snacks on a holiday-themed serving tray to add some seasonal cheer.
Same goes for beverages. Tea and cocoa mix can be quickly prepared and served up in festive mugs, and keeping a few ingredients for your signature cocktail on a bar cart are great for post-dinner drinks.
Preparing for guests might not leave you with as much time as you'd prefer to tidy up. The key is creating an abbreviated cleaning routine that you can complete in 10 or 15 minutes. Try to prioritize high-traffic areas that your guests will spend time in, such as the bathroom, living room, and dining room. Wipe down surfaces, tuck any unnecessary items away, vacuum the carpet, clear the entryway, and make sure the bathroom is stocked with a fresh hand towel and toiletries.
In the case that your last-minute guests are staying overnight, you'll want to add some time to your cleaning routine to prepare the guest room. Swap the sheets, vacuum or sweep the floors, and lay out a fresh set of towels so that they don't have to ask you where the linens are kept. Adding a small scented candle or an extra phone charger are simple details that can make your guests feel even more at home.
Tip!
Check out our guides 9 Easy & Accommodating Guest Room Ideas and 23 Guest Bathroom Ideas to Make Guests Feel Right at Home to find inspiration for leveling up your guest room and guest bathroom.
4. Think of Stress-Free Recipes
Extra dinner guests dropping by means you may need to scrap what you had originally planned and browse your pantry for any ingredients that you can whip up into a simple-yet-delicious meal. Check your pantry for dried goods like pasta or rice, freezer for meats, and refrigerator for any produce. Use pantry organizers or clear pantry jars to keep your ingredients well-organized and within view so that you don't skip over any promising parts of your pantry. These ingredients could be the beginnings of a baked veggie pasta, hodgepodge side salad, or a one-pan chicken with risotto. You'll be surprised by the culinary creations you can make with what you already have in your kitchen.
No need to think of elaborate activities to entertain last-minute guests. Board games or game tables are an excellent way to make the evening memorable – and get a healthy dose of competition. Keep a few classic board games that you know friends and family love playing and slot in a few new ones so that you can tackle the new instructions together.
If you're looking for a more low-key option, an impromptu movie night can be a cozy way to end the night and wind down before bed. Gather around your screen of choice (we love a projection screen for a movie theater-like feel) and add a few throw blankets. Don't forget big bowls of popcorn.
Setting the tone for a welcoming stay doesn't take too much, but helps make the guests feel at ease. Small touches like a few soft throw blankets, cozy ambient lighting, and holiday decor will provide an inviting backdrop for their visit.
When in doubt, light a festive candle and play some holiday music. Last-minute house guests won't fret over small details like you might imagine them to, so the best thing you can do as a host is enjoy their company.
