Have you already started your countdown to the holidays?! If you’re like many others, you’ve already started thinking about what you’re going to prepare for the big dinner, and you’ve possibly started shopping for food to prepare your favorite dishes and decorations to trim the dinner table. As much planning as you’ve already done, you may be forgetting one important thing: your guests that are coming to stay for the holidays. Now, in addition to the preparation and cooking you’ll be doing, you have to make arrangements to accommodate your guests in your home. Well, to lighten your load a little the Closet Factory blog has provided some great tips that will help you prepare for your holiday guests and make them feel welcome.

1. Sleeping Quarters: How many guests are visiting and can you house them comfortably?  Whether you have a spare guest bedroom or a home office that can be turned into sleeping quarters, planning out their sleeping location is a key element to the comfort and privacy of your house guests.

2. Make Room: If you do not have a guest bedroom, consider investing in an air mattress for temporary guests. Although air mattresses are not the most comfortable they are a good option.  Murphy beds are great since they can easily be turned into wall units and rooms can resume their use as a home office or spare play room once your guests depart.

3. Clean Up: Make sure there are nice clean sheets and towels available to your guests and that your home is cleaned thoroughly. This includes the bathrooms and bedrooms, especially high traffic areas of the home.

4. Stock the Fridge: Make sure you have enough groceries to accommodate your invited guests. Be aware of their food tastes such as, organic only, vegetarian, wine, etc.

5. Guest Room Basket: An awesome idea that I’ve used is creating a guest basket! Some of my favorite basket items are:

• Travel Size Toiletries: Shampoo and Conditioner, Luxury Soap
• Towels: Freshly Cleaned
• Magazines or Books: Do not use tattered books or magazines that may be out of date
• Remote Control (If a television is available in the guest room): Include a DVD or two that may be of interest to them
• Snacks: Either a simple travel mix or organic dried fruit is always a nice late night snack
• Beverages: Perhaps a couple of bottled waters and a nice bottle of their favorite type of wine

We really like that “guest room basket” idea! What are some guest basket items that you plan to use? Leave us a comment! We hope these tips help you as you prepare your home for your holiday guests.

Photos courtesy of Closet Factory and Closet Factory blog