Six Steps to Guest-Proof Your House for the Holidays
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We may earn a commission from links on this page.The holidays are upon us, and as the end of the year creeps ever closer, millions of people will hit the roads, skies, and train tracks to visit friends and family. Having houseguests is stressful for both hosts and the guests themselves, especially if your guests dont know how to read body language and refuse to leave.Preparing your house properly for houseguests can remove some of that stressno matter how much you love your friends and family, theyre not part of your household. They dont know how you run things, and your property will never be as important to them as it is to you (and there are always eggnog-related mishaps involving tipsy relatives). To ensure that you can relax and enjoy your guests (and to avoid unnecessary beefs), take the time to guest-proof your home before the crowds arrive.Prepare the entrywayThe entryway of your home is obviously the first area visitors see. Whether its through the garage or the front entrance, take some steps to ensure your home is protected:Check that the outdoor lighting is working and sufficient to light the way from parking areas to the front door.Clear snow and ice from steps, walkways, and porches.Protect the floors with spare rugs, waterproof mats, and/or boot trays so your guests dont ruin your floors with rain and snow.Make sure there are obvious places for folks to hang coats and leave umbrellas, boots, or anything else they might want to discard once theyre inside. You should also clear your own coats out of the way to make room.Have house shoes or slippers available for anyone who wants them.If a rule is important to you, make it knownYour home is your castle, and you obviously get to set the rules. If something is important to you (e.g., asking guests to remove their shoes) you should make it very clear so theres no misunderstanding. Dont be afraid to place a sign in the entryway with a list of house rules if theyre important to youbetter to make these policies clear than to quietly (and then, after some of the aforementioned eggnog, not so quietly) resent your guests for violating a rule they arent even aware of.This rule of making stuff that might seem obvious to you even more obvious extends to the kitchen: Make sure the garbage and recycling are clearly marked and easy to access. If its hidden behind a door or inside a cabinet, for example, a sign might be a good idea. This way your guests wont wander around, or be tempted to leave garbage and empty cans and bottles sitting in the sink or all over the counters. You should probably double-bag your receptacles, too, to protect against torn bags and leaking horrors.Protect your private spacesJust because youre opening your home and inviting people inside doesnt mean they automatically have the run of the place. While certain areas of the home, like the living room, kitchen, and guest bathrooms are going to be considered open to your guests, you can definitely mark certain areas of your home as privateand you should. Your own bedroom, the master bathroom, and any room youd prefer people not enter for any reason whatsoever (because your pets are sequestered in there, or because you have delicate stuff stored in there) can be marked as Do Not Enter. Dont be afraid to lock a door or put up a sign to make this very clear.Speaking of privacy, if guests are on their way, take a moment to inspect the rooms theyll be in for private stuff you might not want them to see. This includes things like prescriptions in the bathroom medicine cabinetwhich people absolutely, positively, snoop on if given the chance.Secure your valuablesIts doubtful that your relatives or dear friends have come to your holiday gathering as part of an elaborate plan to rob youbut accidents happen. Stuff gets knocked over, pushed over the edge of a table or dresser, or picked up and put down in an unexpected spot. To prevent any misunderstandings or property loss, walk through the house before guests arrive and put up anything youd rather not lose.Consider some fabric protectionIts a rare holiday gathering that doesnt include at least one spill, regurgitating child, or dog-related dinner theftso be prepared by protecting your furniture and rugs. Some temporary slipcovers over your couches and chairs mean your guests can spill all the wine they want and youll remain sanguine and calm. Carpet stain protection sprays are cheap and easy to apply, and can ensure that even if Fido drags the holiday ham all over the house, the cleanup will be relatively easy.Stock up the bathroomsGuests are going to use your bathrooms and probably wander in and out of the kitchenso prepare both rooms. In bathrooms, make sure stuff like extra hand towels, rolls of TP, and extra soap very easy to see and grab, so guests dont have to get creative.
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