Hosting for the Holidays: 10 Things to Do Before Guests Arrive

by Melissa Kingsbury

Key takeaways

Prepare the guest room first: Fresh bedding, clean surfaces, comfortable pillows, and accessible storage help guests feel at home.
Focus on shared spaces: Declutter and clean the entryway, kitchen, living room, dining room, and bathrooms before visitors arrive.
Make a plan for last-minute tasks: Create a checklist for the 24 hours before guests arrive to stay organized and avoid a last-minute rush.
Prioritize comfort over perfection: Thoughtful details and easy-to-find essentials matter more than having a spotless home.

Hosting for the holidays often means getting several parts of your home ready at once, from the guest room and bathroom to the kitchen and entryway. A little planning ahead can help you spread out the cleaning, organizing, and other tasks instead of leaving everything until the last minute.

Whether you're welcoming family to a home in Lincoln Park or hosting a festive gathering in Hyde Park, these tips can help you prepare the spaces guests will use most and keep holiday hosting more manageable.

1. Declutter guest spaces and make room for belongings

Before holiday visitors arrive, take a fresh look at the guest room and consider what someone would need to feel comfortable staying there. A room that doubles as a home office, storage area, or workout space may need a little extra attention to make it feel like a dedicated place to rest.

“If you'll be having overnight guests, spend some time in their room before they arrive. Check that there is room for them to store clothing and presents, and that the closets and drawers have been wiped clean,” suggests Kelly Brask, certified professional organizer. “Lie on the bed for a while, look around, and get a sense for how it is to stay there. Is anything uncomfortable, or do you see cobwebs you hadn't noticed before?”

As you declutter, consider these tasks:

Remove personal items, laundry, and anything that doesn't belong in the room.
Clear a dresser drawer or two for guests' clothing.
Make room in the closet for hanging clothes and holiday outfits.
Wipe down shelves, drawers, and other storage areas.
Leave a clear surface for a phone, book, or other nighttime essentials.

2. Prepare a comfortable guest room

A comfortable bed can make all the difference in how guests feel during an overnight stay. Even if the guest room isn't used often, take time to check the mattress, pillows, and bedding before visitors arrive.

Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets, and make sure the mattress is in good condition. If the room has extra pillows or a heavier comforter, leave them somewhere accessible so guests can adjust their sleeping arrangements to their preferences.

3. Deep clean the spaces guests will use

Once you've decluttered the room, it's time to give it a thorough cleaning. Start at the top and work your way down, dusting light fixtures, ceiling fans, shelves, and furniture before cleaning the floors.

Pay special attention to areas that may not get cleaned regularly, including baseboards, window ledges, lampshades, and the space beneath the bed. Empty wastebaskets, wipe down mirrors, and remove any lingering odors before adding fresh linens.

“When deep cleaning before holiday guests arrive, tackle one room at a time to keep the process manageable,” shares Felisha Ziselman at Mindful Space Co. “Focus on the spaces your guests will actually use, and save high-traffic areas like the living room, dining room, kitchen and bathrooms for closer to their arrival. The goal isn’t a perfectly spotless home – it’s a clean, comfortable space where you can enjoy the friends and family in it.”

4. Stock up on guest essentials

A few thoughtful amenities can help overnight guests settle in without needing to ask where everything is. You don't need to create a hotel-style experience; focus on practical items that make the room comfortable and convenient.

Start with the basics, including fresh towels, tissues, a wastebasket, and an extra blanket. If possible, provide a bedside lamp, a convenient outlet for charging devices, and a clear surface for a phone, book, or glass of water.

Consider adding these finishing touches:

A place for luggage: Leave enough floor space or provide a luggage rack.
A bedside setup: Include a lamp, a clock if desired, and room for personal belongings.
Comfortable linens: Keep extra pillows and blankets within easy reach.
A little privacy: Make sure window coverings work and doors open and close properly.
Helpful information: Let guests know how to adjust the thermostat or access the Wi-Fi.

5. Organize the entryway for holiday arrivals

The entryway is the first space guests see when they arrive, and during the holidays, it can quickly fill with coats, shoes, bags, and gifts. Preparing this area ahead of time helps prevent clutter from building up as people come and go.

Begin by putting away everyday items you don't need and clearing a designated spot for visitors' belongings. Depending on your available space, this could mean emptying a few coat hooks, making room in a closet, or placing a shoe tray near the door.

Irene Lo of SimplyOrganized recommends making the entryway more functional before holiday guests arrive. “Create a cozy and organized entryway by clearing coats, shoes, and everyday accessories and making room for guests’ belongings.”

>>Discover: How to Style a Console Table: 5 Tips for Adding Intrigue to Your Space

6. Refresh guest bathrooms and restock supplies

The bathroom is one of the most important spaces to prepare before overnight guests arrive. A clean, well-stocked guest bathroom helps visitors feel comfortable and ensures they can find what they need without searching through your cabinets.

“Start your holiday deep clean by decluttering and organizing the spaces guests will use most, such as the entryway, kitchen, and bathroom,” encourages Helen Hani, owner of Spaces By Helen. “Once surfaces are clear, thoroughly clean countertops, wipe down shelves, and vacuum beneath furniture. Finish by arranging essentials like hand towels and extra toilet paper where guests can easily find them, creating a home that feels both clean and thoughtfully organized.”

Before guests arrive, check that the bathroom has:

Clean hand towels and bath towels.
Plenty of toilet paper and hand soap.
A clean wastebasket.
Space for toiletries near the sink or in a cabinet.
A clean shower or bathtub.
A bath mat and accessible hooks or towel bars.

7. Declutter shared living and dining space

Holiday gatherings often mean more time spent in the living room and dining room, whether you're sharing a meal, exchanging gifts, or catching up with family. Clearing these areas before visitors arrive can make your home feel more spacious and give everyone room to relax. You can also think about how people will move through the room and whether you need to rearrange furniture for the holidays to create more space for seating and conversation.

“Take a whole-home approach by decluttering and refreshing the spaces they are most likely to use,” says Irene Lo at SimplyOrganized. “Declutter key hosting areas such as the living room and dining room by clearing away excess items, creating a more open and welcoming environment for entertaining.”

If cleaning the shared spaces feels overwhelming, breaking the work into smaller tasks can make it easier to stay motivated to clean without trying to tackle everything at once.

8. Prepare the kitchen for holiday hosting

Whether you're cooking a large holiday meal or serving snacks throughout the visit, a functional kitchen can make hosting easier. Organizing this space ahead of time helps you find ingredients, prepare food, and serve meals without having to work around clutter.

Clear countertops and make frequently used items easy to reach, then focus on organizing kitchen cabinets so cooking and serving supplies are easier to find.

A few tasks to add to your list include:

Emptying the dishwasher and making room for additional dishes.
Wiping down countertops and cleaning the sink.
Organizing refrigerator space for holiday food and leftovers.
Checking that you have enough plates, glasses, and utensils.
Setting aside serving dishes and any special cookware you'll need.
Preparing ingredients or dishes ahead of time when possible.

>>See more: 15 Expert-Backed Tips for a Clutter-Free Kitchen

9. Create a 24-hour checklist for last-minute tasks

Even with advance planning, some tasks are best left until shortly before guests arrive. Freshening up bathrooms, preparing food, setting the table, and finishing small cleaning jobs are easier to manage when you have a clear plan for the final day.

Erin Kelly of Arranged By Erin recommends creating a dedicated to-do list for the 24 hours before guests arrive. “As someone that loves to host parties, the most important piece of advice I can give you is to create a T-24 hours party to-do list. This list will keep you on track so that you will be the host with the most when your guests arrive.”

Kelly's list includes tasks such as last-minute bathroom cleaning, planning the order of food preparation, setting the table, choosing serving dishes, and running and emptying the dishwasher.

10. Do a final walkthrough before the guests arrive

Once you've finished the main cleaning and organizing tasks, take a few minutes to walk through your home as if you were arriving as a guest. A final check can help you catch small details that are easy to overlook when you're busy preparing.

Remember that your home doesn't have to be perfect. The goal is to create a comfortable environment where your guests can relax and everyone can enjoy spending time together.

Hosting for the holidays: Final checklist

Use this checklist to make sure your guest room and shared spaces are clean, organized, and ready for a comfortable holiday visit.

Guest room

Wash sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and comforters.
Test the mattress and pillows for comfort.
Dust furniture, wipe down surfaces, and vacuum or mop the floors.
Remove clutter and make space for guests’ clothing, luggage, and gifts.
Clear closet space and wipe down empty drawers.
Provide fresh towels, tissues, a wastebasket, and an extra blanket.
Check bedside lighting and make sure outlets are accessible.

Bathroom

Clean the toilet, sink, shower, mirrors, and floors.
Set out clean hand towels and bath towels.
Restock toilet paper, hand soap, and other essentials.
Make sure toiletries are easy for guests to find.

Entryway and shared spaces

Clear coats, shoes, bags, and everyday clutter from the entryway.
Make room for guests’ coats, shoes, and luggage.
Declutter and dust the living room and dining room.
Wipe down frequently used surfaces and vacuum high-traffic areas.
Organize seasonal decorations and put away unnecessary items.

Kitchen and hosting essentials

Organize pantry items, cabinets, and cooking supplies.
Clear countertops for meal preparation and serving.
Choose serving dishes and set out tableware as needed.
Run and empty the dishwasher.
Plan meals and complete any food prep that can be done ahead of time.

Final 24-hour check

Complete last-minute cleaning in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Empty trash and recycling bins.
Do a final walkthrough of the guest room and shared spaces.
Check that lights work, walkways are clear, and essentials are easy to find.
Set out any final touches, then take a moment to relax before guests arrive.

FAQs for hosting for the holidays

How do you prepare your home for hosting during the holidays?

Start by decluttering and cleaning the spaces guests will use most, including the entryway, living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and guest room. Stock up on essentials, organize coats and shoes, and plan any meals or activities ahead of time. A checklist can help you prioritize tasks and avoid last-minute stress.

How far in advance should you prepare for holiday guests?

Start one to two weeks ahead by decluttering, organizing storage, and gathering supplies. Complete deeper cleaning a few days before guests arrive, then save fresh linens, food preparation, and final touch-ups for the day before or the day of your gathering.

What should you have on hand when hosting for the holidays?

Keep essentials such as toilet paper, hand soap, clean towels, extra bedding, snacks, beverages, and basic cooking supplies readily available. If you're hosting overnight guests, provide space for their belongings and make sure they know where to find extra linens and toiletries.

How can you make holiday hosting less stressful?

Break preparations into smaller tasks and spread them out over several days instead of trying to do everything at once. Make a list of must-do chores, prepare food and serving items ahead of time, and focus on creating a comfortable environment rather than achieving a perfectly spotless home.