How to Prepare Your Home for Holiday Entertaining

One of the best parts of the holiday season is all of the holiday entertaining! Before you send out the invitations, make sure your home is ready to host your family and friends with these tried-and-true preparation tips from the experts at Mr. Handyman®.

Make Your Home Sparkle with a Thorough Clean

The first thing you should do to prepare your home for guests is perform a thorough cleaning of your home from top to bottom. And we literally mean from top to bottom. Start by cleaning the high places like ceiling fans, lights, furniture, and counters. Then, work your way down to the floors and baseboards. Get into those nooks, crannies, and forgotten spots before the holiday gathering starts. Whether you do this yourself or hire a professional, you’ll feel much better celebrating and entertaining guests in a freshly cleaned and sparkling home.

Fix Any Squeaky Floorboards or Loose Hinges

While a squeaky floorboard may be okay when hosting a Halloween party, it’s best not to put off floor repairs any longer. Getting your home ready for holiday gatherings is the perfect time to cross minor repairs off your to-do list, along with any other small maintenance projects you may have noticed during your cleaning spree.

Whether you want to tackle these repairs yourself or hire a local handyman, finishing just a few little projects like this can make all the difference the next time you welcome people into your home.

Spruce Up Your Kitchen and Bathroom

During holiday gatherings, the kitchen and bathrooms are some of the most popular rooms in the house. Make sure these often-used rooms are ready for the increase in traffic by making any minor repairs, such as fixing a leaky faucet or a running toilet, before inviting your guests into your home. Clean and disinfect kitchen countertops, and try to free up as much counter space as you can. This will make preparing and serving food and drinks a lot easier.

Afterward, take a minute to liven up these spaces with fun holiday decor. Holiday-themed soaps and linens in the bathroom add a nice touch. You could also throw in a new holiday air freshener or candle to help create the perfect holiday atmosphere.

Add Festive Lighting and Decor

Speaking of creating a holiday atmosphere, check out some of the latest holiday decorating ideas to help you create a holiday feel throughout your home. Adding fun little touches to your tables, with garland, figurines, or candles really helps put everyone in a holiday mood. If you have a fireplace, add some holiday decor or hang holiday-themed pictures around it.

Nothing creates a festive mood better than a holiday lighting display. Brighten up the outside of your home with holiday-themed decor. Festive wreaths on the front door and holiday lights around the exterior of your home will make your home look and feel inviting to your guests as they arrive. 

Make Sure Your Plumbing and Electrical Systems Are Up to Code

You might not think about it, but your plumbing and electrical systems are vital to your holiday entertainment success. Make sure that both systems are ready for the big events by having them professionally inspected and serviced before the guests arrive. 

Not only will this keep everyone safe and comfortable, but it will also ensure your holiday display stays lit for everyone to enjoy. This will also help you avoid costly last-minute repairs!

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint to Your Exterior and Front Door

The first thing your guests will see is the exterior of your home and your front door. If the outside of your home and entryway door have seen better days, before you hang up decorations, pressure cleaning and a new coat of paint will do wonders to create a fresh, clean look. Replace old fixtures, then add your decorations and lights to warmly welcome your guests for your holiday gathering. 

Make Sure Your Heating and Cooling System is in Good Working Order

Once the holidays roll around, temperatures can vary from a bit chilly to layers of clothes cold, depending on where you live. Always make sure your heating system is up for the challenge by having it inspected and serviced by a professional before entertaining guests in your home. If you have a fireplace that you intend to use while entertaining, make sure to have it inspected and cleaned to ensure it’s safe to use.

Add a Seasonal Wreath or Garland to Your Front Door

Holiday home decor is one of the best parts of the holiday season. Dress up your front door with a seasonal wreath, garland, or other decorations to make your guests feel holly and jolly the second they arrive.

Set Up a Festive Entryway Table

Do you have a lot of holiday knick-knacks to display? A great way to get your guests (and you) in the holiday spirit is to arrange them on an entryway table that will greet them the moment they walk through the door. And since the holiday is a season of giving, adding some party favors by the entryway that your guests can take home is a holiday touch they are sure to appreciate. 

Create a Cozy and Inviting Living Room

Encourage friends and family to sit and stay awhile by creating an inviting space full of cozy pillows and lots of seating. If you have a fireplace in your living room, light it up, turn on some holiday music, and light a few scented holiday candles, and you’ve created a cozy holiday vibe that is sure to impress.

Decorate Your Home for the Holidays

Whether you’re planning holiday party entertainment or just want to spruce up your living space to get you into the holiday spirit daily, holiday decorations go a long way in getting you excited for the upcoming season.

Mix family heirloom decorations with new pieces to create a personalized holiday display showcasing your favorite parts of the season. Display family photos from holidays past, and don’t forget holiday-specific decorations like a Christmas tree, a menorah, or a kinara.

Don’t forget holiday-themed plates, napkins, and cups for your food, and use holiday-themed foods when creating your spread.

Start Preparing Your Home for Holiday Entertaining

If you have a holiday gathering on your calendar but too many other to-dos on your list, our handyman services can help.  Our team of experienced pros can take tasks both big and small off your plate, so you have more time to get your holiday decor just right.

Whether putting up your outside lighting display or fixing your leaky toilet, we have a professional to do the job. Plus, all of our projects are backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™, which means you can trust us to do the job right the first time.

When you work with the experts at Mr. Handyman®, every day feels like a holiday. Get started by requesting service today!