Christmas is upon us, and it’s time to prepare our home for the family and friends who wish to visit us during this special season. This season, be sure to prepare yourself ahead of time so you can have your guests feeling like they’re at home. Likewise, it’s a great time to do some late spring cleaning so your house can be decluttered prior to your guests’ arrival.
Here are four ways you can prepare your home for your guests this Christmas.
1. Prepare your home for cold temperatures.
One of the first things you want to do prior to the Christmas holidays is to ensure your home is well equipped with an HVAC system that can provide the necessary warmth when the temperatures drop below normal conditions. This is a perfect time to sign up for your fall boiler maintenance routine with your favorite HVAC technicians at Sullivan Heating & Cooling.
At Sullivan, their skilled professionals will ensure your furnace and thermostat are in full working conditions before the cold temperatures start to seep through the cracks and into your home. They will make the necessary adjustments to your boiler and burners to provide you with the right amount of warm air throughout the winter. They will also maintain your HVAC system by cleaning any debris in the ducts and replacing your air filters so your heating bills are kept under a reasonable range.
2. Decorate your home.
Moreover, if you’re celebrating Christmas with your loved ones, set the mood with indoor and outdoor Christmas tree lights. You don’t have to settle for an indoor Christmas tree — you can go beyond everyone’s expectations and surprise them with an outdoor tree that can spark joy to anyone that’s driving by. Add decorations to the tree such as a star at the top and ribbons throughout its foliage for an even more festive look.
You can also add Christmas lights to the outside of your home so your nights can be filled with pretty little lights flickering the night away. You can choose multicolored lights or opt for a solid color throughout the face of your house. Likewise, you can add icicle lights that flicker to the sound of music, which can be played every once in a while for you and your neighbor’s enjoyment. Add a decorative wreath to your front door or even make one from scratch as a family activity prior to your guests’ arrival.
3. Cook Christmas meals.
One of the best parts of Christmas is the food. A lot of people have that one favorite Christmas dish they wish to eat throughout the year. However, doing so would ruin that amazing feeling we get on Christmas. So now that the season is upon us, why not devote your cooking skills to preparing your favorite Christmas dishes and drinks you’ve been wanting all year long. You can prepare seasonal dishes like roasted turkey with stuffing, gingerbread cookies, Christmas cakes, and peppermint bark. You can also make signature Christmas drinks like eggnog, punch, or hot cocoa with a bit of whipped cream for the kids.
4. Buy gifts for your guests.
Lastly, you can do a kind and simple gesture of buying your guests presents for when they come and visit you during the holidays. This can be anything from a batch of assorted Christmas cookies to small and affordable favors like hand warmers, hot cocoa kits, and pinecone candles. If they have small children, you can include fun Christmas games or coloring books so they can keep busy as the adults enjoy the festive night in. You could wrap these in mason jars, treat bags, or Christmas gift boxes so they can get that warm feeling you get when you unwrap your gifts.
These ideas will help you prepare for your guests’ visits when the time comes during this festive Christmas season.