Create a comfort zone in your home during the holidays

If you’re having company for the holidays here are a few things to add to your home to make your guests feel special.

  • Decorate your home for the holidays by adding fresh flowers and lots of candles and greenery.
  • Put extra blankets, pillows and towels in the guest room. Always use soft sheets. The higher the thread counts the better the sheets. I like to buy Egyptian cotton sheets.
  • Clean out guest closets and make room for their clothes. I always keep extra hangers on hand and I place a luggage rack in the room for extra storage.
  • Stock up on paper plates, napkins, toilet paper and Kleenex.
  • Place your clean sheets, towels and blankets in the dryer with a dryer sheet to freshen them up.
  •  To keep your guests occupied you might want to develop a list of activities for them to do around town.
  • Prepare a snack for your guests. Place packaged mints, pretzels and bottled water on their bedside table.
  • Provide your guests with an alarm clock so they can keep track of the time and planned events.
  • Put together a basket for the children with a variety of coloring books, videos, crayons and treats to keep them occupied. Buy plenty of juice boxes.
  • Display fresh flowers in your guest room for that added special touch.
  • In the bathroom, place mini shampoos, lotions, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, extra toothbrushes, and disposable razors in a decorative basket  Bagels and cream cheese

The morning of the holiday is always a hectic day.  Prepare a quick and easy breakfast buffet with the following ingredients:

  • A fresh bowl of fruit
  • Coffee with cream, sugar and Truvia
  • Fruit juices
  • A variety of cold cereals and milk
  • Butter and jam
  • Make a delicious frittata with spinach, eggs and cheese
  • Croissants and bagels and cream cheese

If you’re invited to someone’s home for the holidays always bring the hostess a gift. A plant, a bottle of wine or a gift basket are all thoughtful gestures. Don’t bring food unless the hostess requests a specific dish and always give flowers that are already in a vase with water.