Get Your Home Holiday-Guest Ready

We’re not all Martha Stewart (thank goodness!), but that doesn’t mean our house guests should have to rough it.

With the holidays coming up, families and friends will make extra efforts to spend time together.  That almost always means someone extra is going to be kicking it on your couch.

We put ourselves in the couch surfer’s place and gathered together a list of the top ways you can help your guests feel comfy and welcome in your home.

1.  Clean the front porch

This is the first thing your guests are going to see.  Are all the plants dead?  Is your animatronic light up Santa and his tiny reindeer crowding the place?  Maybe they should all take a trip to the garage (hopefully your guests won’t be going in there!)
Fill up those empty pots at Armstrong Garden centers (http://www.armstronggarden.com/)

2.  Open the windows

It’s good to get some fresh air in the house before guests arrive to clear out any lingering smells.  Better yet, take this time to figure out exactly where those smells are coming from!  Does the fridge need a going over?  Has it been a bit too long since Fluffy or Fido has seen soapy water?  You may not notice anymore, but anyone new coming into your home will.  Don’t welcome your guests with funk.
Dog grooming services available at PetCo (http://www.petco.com)

3.  Extra, extra

Think about every toiletry you bring along on a trip.  Now imagine you’ve forgotten to pack all of them.  That’s the scenario you should prepare for when guests are visiting.  Be sure to have extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, soap, razors- even sunblock.  Once you’re stocked, leave these items in the bathroom your guests will be using in an obvious place.
For mini everything, check out the travel aisle at Target (http://www.target.com)

4.  Bath Time

Each guest will need at least two large towels, as well as a wash cloth each and some clean hand towels.  Make sure the bathtub and shower are clean- even those shower doors!  Fresh soap and a candle with a book of matches are also nice touches.
Find fresh, fancy, hand-made soaps at The Soap Kitchen (https://www.thesoapkitchen.com)

5.  Snack Run

Hey, remember when you cleaned out the fridge?  Is it looking a little bare now?  Don’t forget, these guests of yours get hungry too but might not always want to bother you for a full on meal.  Rounding up a wide variety of snacks and making them available will make sure no one gets grumpy.
Trader Joe’s is the best place for amazing snacks and pumpkin everything!  (http://www.traderjoes.com)

6.  Turning In

Wherever you guests are staying, either in their own guest room or on an inflatable mattress, make sure they have clean sheets, enough pillows, and extra blankets.  It’s also a good idea to check the lights bulbs in their room, especially if it isn’t used often.  A box of tissues, a water bottle, and magazine or book are nice touches.
Need some extra linens?  We suggest Pottery Barn (http://www.potterybarn.com)

7.  Keep Them Busy

If your guests are staying for more than a few days, it might be a good idea to get together a list of activities in the area they could enjoy.  Do they know about the shopping in Old Pasadena or on Lake Ave?  Do they know how to get there?  Would they enjoy a day at the Huntington Library?  Think about some of your favorite things to do in Pasadena and share them with your guests!
Are your guests joining you for the Rose Parade this year?  Don’t forget their tickets!  Purchase tickets here through Sharp Seating: http://www.sharpseating.com/

8.  Be Like a Boy Scout

Want to always be prepared for guests but short on room?  A hide-away bed is actually a lot easier route than you’d think.  Certain models fold up to reveal a desk, so you don’t have to sacrifice your office for a guest room!
Wallbeds’n’More has a wide variety of options to fit your needs (http://www.wallbedsnmore.com)

Now, how to get your guests to leave?  We can’t help you there.