Stress Less, Celebrate More

Expecting a house-full of friends and family this holiday season? If so, it could be a major source of stress. The preparations, the expectations, possible family drama and the clean up: They can all lead to an overload that will suck the merry and bright right out of this time of year. Try these tips to lessen your house guest stress.

You are Not Perfect; Neither is Your House

And this is okay! Nobody is, and neither is their house. Trying to fix or hide every flaw and get each nook and cranny squeaky clean can be exhausting. Don’t worry if your closet needs some organizing or your tub could use some caulk; concentrate your cleaning and spiffing efforts on the rooms and bathrooms guests will be using. Make them feel welcomed and comfy with these simple extras:

• Have some fancy soap by the sink and in the shower.
• Make sure towels and toilet paper are easy to find. Don’t make guests go digging through your cabinets to locate necessities.
• Put a small vase of fresh flowers in the guest bedrooms, and lay out an extra blanket and extra pillows.
• Make sure there are a few magazines or interesting books in the guest bedroom too. Most folks like to read a bit before turning in.

 Ask for Help

When you’re a guest, aren’t you always asking, “What can I do to help?” Chances are, your guests will ask the same thing. You are not an innkeeper, nor should you feel the need to act like one, so answer them honestly. Let them help, with the chopping for dinner, with a run to the store, by walking the dog or entertaining the kids. They want to feel involved and useful, and you probably want and need the assistance.

Don’t Be Afraid to Set Limits

With guests comes an unavoidable interruption in routine, and while the time around the holidays is often unstructured anyway, too much time out of your family’s regular daily schedule can be a problem, especially for kids. Feel free to shorten your guests’ length of stay if needed. And don’t shy away from explaining and enforcing the rules of your house on visiting children. It’s okay to expect guests to pick up after themselves and to respect your privacy and your belongings.