Ready the home for holiday guests

Arguably the best part of the holiday season is the chance to catch up with family and friends. Because many people are busier than ever, the holidays are the one time of year many families reunite, often over a holiday meal. This year, with so many families sacrificing thanks to the economic downturn, chances are more and more relatives will be welcoming guests into their homes rather than directing road weary travelers to the nearest hotel. That means many homeowners will be preparing their homes for guests this holiday season. To get a head start, consider the following tips. * Ask guests about pet allergies. Before any guests hit the road and start their journey, hosts with pets should be sure to ask if their guests have any pet allergies. While there is medication to make being around a pet bearable for people with pet allergies, such medication requires a prescription, meaning hosts should make prospective guests aware well in advance of the holidays to make sure everyone is comfortable. * Stock up on linens. Guests are going to need to shower and wash up, and they’ll feel especially comfortable if the room where they’ll be staying is equipped with towels, other linens and even bathrobes once they arrive. Also, be sure to have a change of sheets readily available, and make sure the sheets and pillowcases on the bed are fresh for the first day guests are scheduled to arrive. * Talk to the kids in advance. When guests are staying overnight for the holidays, parents should discuss this with their children in advance of the holiday. Explain that kids might need to share a bedroom with their siblings for a night, and make it seem as fun as possible. Explain that extra people around the house for a few days will be fun, and that each night will be akin to a sleepover with friends. * Clear your schedule as much as possible. Once guests arrive, there is a possibility they’ll feel uncomfortable in another person’s home. However, hosts can lessen those feelings by clearing their schedule and spending some time with their guests, be it a day out shopping or simply staying home and watching a movie or a ballgame. * Stock the pantries. While hosts shouldn’t feel responsible for feeding their guests three meals per day, it is a good idea to have a fully stocked pantry when hosting guests for the holidays. This is particularly important if some of those guests are children, who seem to be more hungry than adults. In addition to food, be sure there’s enough coffee and coffee cups to satisfy all adult guests throughout their stay. Have some regular as well as decaffeinated coffee on hand, and stock up on tea as well. * Clean the home. While cleaning the house is a given, be especially diligent when cleaning areas where guests will be sleeping. Hosts planning on using futons or pull-out couches should clean those arrangements, particularly hosts who are also pet owners, and test them out to see if they’re comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep.