Prepping your Home for Holiday Guests

Disclosure: Sponsored posting with Honeywell. All opinions are 100% my own.

The holidays are almost here! It really is my most favorite time of the year. I love the holiday music! I love the snow! I love giving gifts to special people in my life! I love seeing my 5 kids enjoy the true magic and beauty of the holiday season! And most of all, I LOVE to entertain throughout the holidays!

Kicking off with the Thanksgiving holiday through New Year’s Eve, we’re constantly entertaining. Both my husband and I love to open our house to family, friends and colleagues during this time of year. It’s a great opportunity to catch up, celebrate and just have a fun and festive time together! We always include kids in our celebrations because with 5 kids of our own, we love to make sure families know they’re ALL welcome!

What constitutes a “perfect” holiday party for us at home?

It’s easy.

We make sure we’ve prepped our home comfortably and welcoming-ly to all of our holiday guests. That’s the most important thing of all. I want people to walk into our home and feel, well… home. I want them to relax. I want them to smile. I want them to enjoy. I want them to be comfortable and cozy. I want them to want to come back again and again.

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What do we do to ensure these feelings for our holiday guests?

  1. Inviting Smelling House! I love to make sure my house has a yummy and delicious scent. I want my guests to walk in and immediately feel comfortable and that greeting scent can set the tone! I’m all about adding in holiday scents during this time of year. There are candles that are wonderful to burn that have scents that just give off that perfect holiday aroma… cinnamon stick scents, apple pie scents, pumpkin pie scents, vanilla scents, etc. It’s such a warm and welcoming way for a guest to be greeted!
  2. Warm and Cozy Throw Blankets! There’s nothing like finding that perfect spot on someone’s couch or chair and just sinking in during the holiday party. I love to make sure I have warm, cozy and inviting throw blankets on my couch and chairs for people to cozy up to and lean against. It just adds a layer of comfort that you can’t beat! I always make sure they’re super clean and extra soft! My kids love heading to someone’s house and wrapping themselves up with a cozy blanket while watching a holiday movie! It’s fun for guests!
  3. Delicious and Warm Drinks Brewing! My husband is the king of this tip! Whenever we have guests coming over for the holidays, he brews Apple Cider on the stove and it’s such a great drink to greet people on a cold winter night! He also makes a pot of hot cocoa for the kids (or adults!), too! screen-shot-2016-11-11-at-5-55-28-amIt’s such a wonderful way to make your guests feel warm and yummy! Not to mention, the extra scent in the house is wonderful!
  4. Holiday Music! I wish I could play holiday music year round! There’s something about it that just really puts a smile on my face. My husband and I play the “Holiday Channel” on SIRIUS throughout the holidays when we have people over. We have it on in the background, and it really does bring joy to the house! It’s a simple thing to do, but a great way to prep your house for guests!
  5. Perfect, Controlled Temperature in your Home with Honeywell! This is the MOST IMPORTANT for guests. We live in New England, so essentially, whenever you head out during the winter months, it’s COLD! When we’re into December, temps get down to the freezing mark! It’s essential to make sure my guests are comfortable and warm and cozy in my house while they’re here. There’s nothing worse than being too cold or too hot in someone’s house when you’re visiting. You want your guests to feel like they never want to leave, and the perfect temperature plays a role in that goal. screen-shot-2016-11-11-at-6-00-03-amWe partnered with Honeywell to replace our thermostat this winter to one that works best for us, our family and holiday guests. With Honeywell’s Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat, I know the temperature in my house will be perfect throughout the holidays. The T5 is a DIY project, so my husband installed this at home himself. All you need to make sure you have is: Phillips screwdriver, Flat Head Screwdriver, Pencil, Level and your smartphone. (There are instructions in the box to follow!) Why this model for your home?The Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat allows you to take comfort knowing your home temperature will always be just how you like it. It’s that simple. You have the ability to program it based on your own personal schedule, or (which I love) easily adapts to your life as events/schedules/plans change. screen-shot-2016-11-11-at-6-01-57-amIt automatically determines if your house needs heating or cooling (it’s INCREDIBLE). You can control your Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat from anywhere just by using your smartphone (or tablet). This is key for the holidays and prepping for guests because it’s bringing you complete comfort when you’re home (and – total bonus) saving you money on your energy bills.

    The holidays are a time when you want to bring the best time to your family and friends while entertaining at home! Keep these 5 tips in mind as you prepare and get ready to celebrate some holiday cheer!

     

     

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About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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11 Comments

  1. 11.11.16

    I love these ideas. I’m all about the holiday music, too. As soon as Thanksgiving is over, the tree goes up and the Christmas music is on!

  2. 11.11.16
    Tara said:

    I love holiday parties, both attending and hosting them. Having holiday music in the background really helps set the mood.

  3. 11.11.16
    Stacie said:

    I am all for having throws out for your guests. How cozy and intimate. Add the festive decor and the hot drinks and you’re all set.

  4. 11.11.16

    Love your tips and all the colors and decor! Any guest would feel welcome at your home!

  5. 11.11.16
    Ann Bacciaglia said:

    Honeywell’s Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat would be perfect for my house. I have been wanting to replace my old thermostat. I will have to check this one out.

  6. 11.11.16
    Elizabeth Lampman said:

    I love to get the house ready for all our holiday guests. I like to have my Banana bread wax warming to make the house smell amazing.

  7. 11.11.16

    Such great ideas. Especially Honeywell. Some people are always hot, some are cold. It would be nice to have the perfect, steady temperature.

  8. 11.11.16

    Wow! This is brilliant! I think I’m putting it on my Christmas list for my kids to buy for me. Cheers!

  9. 11.12.16

    This makes me so excited for Christmas! I love this set up! Very fun and looks comfortable for guests! Thank you for sharing!

  10. 11.12.16
    Reesa Lewandowski said:

    I love those dishes and cups. I really need to replace mine with something like this thermostat. Mine is probably 25+ years old!!!

  11. 11.14.16

    Love your ideas and I love your theme! Those smart thermostats are amazing! We have a nest and its helped us out a lot!

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