Home for the Holidays: 5 Tips for Hosting House Guests with Style and Comfort
The holiday season is here! Who has already been watching Hallmark movies and decorating? Because I definitely have! One of my favorite things about the holiday season is getting to host friends and family in our home. Whether you're planning a festive gathering, a cozy dinner, or a week-long stay, I think that there are a few things that go into being a good host around the holidays. Here are my top 5 tips for hosting house guests that will leave a lasting impression on your loved ones! Happy reading!
Create a Warm Welcome:
Start the holiday experience right at the front door. A warm and inviting entrance sets the tone for the entire stay. You can consider adding a festive wreath, some twinkling lights, or a personalized welcome sign. Adding a festive touch will get the stay or visit off on the right foot and it can also be a conversation starter! I like to add a wreath on each door, a festive doormat and we also have two trees that light up outside our front door! Here is the link for the 4 foot tree and here is the link to the 3 foot tree! I can’t link our wreaths or doormat because they are a few years old!
Thoughtful Guest Spaces:
This isn’t particularly only for the holidays, I feel this way year round! I love to make our guests feel right at home by making sure I have created comfortable and thoughtful spaces for them to relax in while they are here. I make sure that their room is well-stocked with fresh linens, extra cozy blankets, that the pillows have different firmness levels, that there is a fan available and more! You can add a touch of extra holiday magic with festive décor like pine scented candles, twinkling lights, or a small Christmas tree in the corner! Anything that you add to your guest room during their stay will feel like a cozy touch which is exactly what we want to feel around the holidays!
Plan Festive Entertaining:
Entertaining is at the heart of the holiday season and when you are hosting, you are in charge of planning festive activities will keep your guests in high spirits. You can do so many different things with this depending on who your guests are! You can organize a cozy movie night with correlating snacks to watch your favorite holiday classics. Do a fun craft that gets them in the holiday spirit! You could host a cookie decorating party or a baking day to make all of your favorites for your neighbors. You can plan a fun holiday cocktail hour or a dressier dinner. The options are endless, you just want to make sure that everyone feels like a part of the holiday merriment and the activities appeal to a wide range of interests.
Provide Thoughtful Amenities:
Small touches go a long way in making your guests feel cared for. Stock the guest bathroom with holiday-scented toiletries, fluffy towels, and consider adding a cozy robe for an extra touch of luxury. Create a functional space with thoughtful touches like scented candles or decorative hand towels that tie into your holiday décor! I have written so many posts on hosting so I will link a couple of those here and then THIS blog post you can some ideas for what to do with guest rooms for hosting.
Capture the Spirit of the Season:
Another thing that you can do to make a little bit more magic to your guests experience beyond decorations is going the next step and do something special for your holiday guests. It can be as little as sharing memories or stories of past holidays, making sure that there are festive treats to nibble on or you can do something a little bit bigger like organizing a holiday gift exchange or a group activity that brings everyone together to celebrate the joy of the season. Helloooo Secret Santa! That would be so fun! It doesn’t have to be anything over the top, just a little something to show your guests that you are excited that they are there.
Hosting house guests during the holidays is an opportunity to create lasting memories and share the joy of the season with the people you love! By incorporating these tips, you'll not only provide a comfortable and inviting environment for your guests but also ensure a festive and memorable experience. After all, 'tis the season for making merry and creating cherished moments with our loved ones! If you have any questions or would just like to chat, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments section or feel free to email me at hello@emmatarynjones.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Much Love,
Emma
XO