7 Tips for Receiving Guests This Holiday Season

Holidays do not need to be stressful when out-of-town guests drop in to visit! Patty Barr, owner of The Elegant Organizer, offers the following steps to prepare for visitors.

1. Make sure there is adequate closet and drawer space along with plenty of extra hangers, some of which are sturdy enough to hold heavy winter coats. “You want your guests to feel welcome and that they have ample space for their items,” says Barr. “You want them to feel at ‘home’ and not in a cluttered environment. I even supply a laundry bag on a hook in their closet. This will allow them to keep the space organized and put all their dirty items in one place as they stay with you.”
2. Declutter bathrooms and linen closets, but, at the same time, stock up on supplies, such as toilet paper and toiletries, in case a visitor forgets to pack something. “Your out-of-town guest will love the fact that you have what I call a ‘back-up basket,’” notes Barr.
3. Ensure there are clean and fairly new blankets, pillows and towels on hand. “I recommend to my clients to invest in extra bedding or linens when you have family or friends visiting,” says Barr. “Keep them in a closet that you just cleaned out or an empty trunk or suitcase in their room.”
4. Create an organized space in their bedroom that they can unpack in and keep organized at the same time. Perhaps a luggage rack or table that they can lay their suitcase on.
5. Create a food and beverage cart station in the home with snacks, drinks, magazines and more that is always available and easy to access. “This comes from my hotel industry days as a concierge,” shares Barr. “You want your family and friends to always feel very welcome and that it is stress-free when visiting you. Closing the kitchen is not very inviting. So create this space that showcases snacks, candies, small bags of chips, fruit, books and magazines so they feel at home. Take it one step further and have one or two ‘favorites’ of your guests. That will make them feel very special.”
6. Declutter the living spaces, such as the living room/den and kitchen. “Remember, you want it to be clean and fresh when they arrive,” cautions Barr. “Corral the kids’ toys into a basket or bin. I would not hide the items because your family still needs to function, but you want it to be welcoming for your visitors.”
7. Check the air mattress for holes or leaks. “Always have that ‘extra’ space where someone can crash that you did not expect,” says Barr.

The Elegant Organizer is a professional organizing company located on the south shore of Long Island that services clients from NYC to Montauk. Owner Patty Barr can be reached at 631-251-1414.