7 priceless practical holiday hosting tips from professionals to stave off stress

The holiday season is touted as a time to relax and rejuvenate, but if you are hosting, it can be incredibly stressful. Balancing dinners with hoisting overnight guests and managing presents all adds up. But, how do you host without feeling overwhelmed?

The trick, the experts say, is to prep ahead to keep a clear head. Whether you’re a natural host or still learning, there are some simple holiday hosting tips the professionals swear by that will ensure your holiday season runs smoothly.

Here are their top seven practical holiday hosting tips to stave off stress over the holiday period, from pre-Christmas cleaning tasks to seasonal storage solutions, and find time to enjoy yourself, too.

Practical holiday hosting tips

Getting organized for Christmas or Thanksgiving is essential if you want to keep a level head on the big day. It takes a lot of work, but it is more than worth it if you want to come across as the host with the most.

1. Prepare ahead of time

From getting a kitchen ready for hosting to creating a meal plan and styling a guest bedroom, starting early and setting out a plan will make big hosting days a breeze.

Barbara Brock, professional organizer and home stager, owner of Barbara Brock Inc. says, 'Breakdown the plan into the following categories: food, prep, service, decor and cleanup:

• Food: What foods will be served? What will need to be prepared, what will need to be purchased and what will others bring? Itemize details about cooking the food (timing needed for each dish; order of cooking).
  Make a list of food items to shop for – everything including the salt and pepper. Prepare foods as early as possible.
• Prep: What steps need to get done - shopping, calling caterers, florist, grocer, etc.? Prepare ahead of time whatever foods you can (i.e., homemade cranberry sauce, desserts, appetizers). Clean the house several days ahead of time.
• Service: Set out the dishes to be used, tablecloth, napkins, plates, silverware, stemware, serving dishes, vases, pitchers - anything hung that will be used in that day. Make sure they are clean and not chipped. Shop ahead for what you need to fill in. Set the table one day early!
• Decor: Buy early. Think what your table scape will look like. Coordinate with tablecloth, napkins etc. Be sure to look at the placemats, tablecloths, napkins to see if they are current, torn, or old.'

2. Sort storage before the event

The dinner table will be the centerpiece for many holidays, be it Thanksgiving dinner, or the big Christmas meal. Deciding on your tablescaping ideas is one thing, but ensuring you have all the essentials – from the best dinnerware to extra napkins – is another.

Before the big day, take the time to double-check your tablescaping storage ideas, checking for signs it's time to replace your silverware and telltale signs you need new dishes, and restocking as needed.

Don't stop there, either. Barbara Brock, expert organizer, also suggests double-checking the rest of your essential home storage ideas for the essentials while you still have time to run to the shops or declutter.

Barbara says, 'If time is of the essence, and it’s necessary to declutter quickly, you don’t have time to edit. It’s important to remove items quickly. Have an empty tub handy to put unnecessary items, then, remove items and put them all in a closet to be edited later.

'Focus on table tops or surfaces. If they are clear, everything else will seem cleaner and more organized. Don't forget, unseen dirt on the floor, when vacuumed or swept, makes the room seem cleaner and neater. Replace burnt-out light bulbs. Light always enhances a space.'

For a rapid-fire way to reduce clutter room by room, she adds, 'Prioritize what rooms people will be going into – especially the kitchen and living room. I suggest you grab one clear and one dark bag. The theory applies that in the clear trash bag or bin will be items that you will keep but don't have time to sort and put away. In dark trash bags, these are items that can be thrown away.'

3. Maintain your entryway

Your entryway will be the first thing guests see when entering your home, so it is essential to prepare an entryway for Christmas guests – both inside and out.

In the dread of winter, front porch cleaning tips are likely the last thing on your mind, but when you have a trail of guests arriving, clearing away snow, ice, and leaves is a great way to make your home look a little more put together and ensure that your guests stay safe. Not to mention that keeping your path and porch clean will also help to keep your home cleaner over the holiday period, too.

Like removing snow from your driveway, move the snow and ice to an area of your front yard guests won't go near to keep your yard safe. Then use non-slip mats (from Walmart) and a festive doormat to trap dirt and prevent accidents. If you have guests with pets visiting, avoid using grit, de-icing chemicals, or salt to melt snow, as this can hurt their paws or make them sick.

To make an entryway inviting inside, Brenda Scott, professional home organizer and owner of Tidy My Space says, 'The entryway which becomes a pile of shoes, bags, and packages. Creating a 'drop zone' where everything has a place or 'home' eliminates the mess because you now know where stuff goes properly and quickly. Make it work for you and the others in your home.'

Make sure there is plenty of space for guests to hang coats (maybe move some of yours to another room to give extra space), and make an entryway smell nice to welcome guests in.

4. Make guests feel welcome

The experts cannot stress the importance of first impressions enough. How you welcome your guests will have a lasting impact on how they look back on your holiday hosting skills.

When guests first arrive, consider welcoming them with a festive drink or snack as they settle in. Take their coats hang them up, and show them to the living room or kitchen, making them aware of where the essentials are (such as the bathroom) should they need them.

Wesley Taylor, home and lifestyle influencer suggests, 'Batch a cocktail ahead of time. Serve the first one to your guests, and then let them serve themselves for any additional drinks while you’re preparing the table or welcoming more guests.

'This Amazon punch bowl is a great place to start,' he adds. 'You can also make the punch non-alcoholic and provide bubbly or spirits on the side so that everyone can partake in the festivities.'

This extends beyond the entryway, reminds Liora Seltzer, professional organizer and owner of What U Keep reminds us. Preparing a guest room for Christmas is also important. She suggests that you, 'Use the guest room before guests arrive. That way you'll find out what's needed, what needs to be replaced etc. Many guests will not feel comfortable telling you, so it's best if you find out on your own!

'For a personal touch, you can add a guest welcome box with all the things people might forget, such as toiletries, warm socks etc.'

5. Create a shared playlist

Music really helps to set the tone for your Christmas hosting. Without a good soundtrack, there can be awkward silences and it can be more difficult to get into the festive spirit.

Wesley Taylor, home and lifestyle influencer continues, 'If you trust your friends’ musical taste, make a collaborative playlist for your guests to add to before the party starts. Or, if you’re a record collector, keep them out in the open so folks can choose a record when they come in.

'It gives your guests something to do and also gives them a sense of involvement in the party. However, I always reserve the right to veto the wrong record selection – it has to fit the vibe, of course!'

6. Don't neglect bathrooms

Liora Seltzer, professional organizer reminds us, 'The bathroom is one of the most important spots to clean before guests arrive, well, after the kitchen.

'Clean the bathroom, and declutter the entire surface around the sink. Your guests may or may not care about the clutter in the other spaces, but pretty much all of them will use the bathroom! A nice, clean, clutter-free bathroom is clutch when you're hosting.

'Make it is bare as possible. One soap, one lotion if you must, a candle, towels/paper napkins and that's it. Give the surface a good wipe-down, and the space looks perfect.'

One thing people with nice-smelling bathrooms always do is light the best candle or set up the best essential oil diffuser before guests arrive to make the bathroom smell fresh for their arrival. It can also make them feel more comfortable using the space. Where you can, having a small speaker playing festive or relaxing music can add another nice touch.

7. Know when to ask for a helping hand

Asking for help, in any circumstances, can feel a little daunting and some are quite stubbornly against it. However, saying 'yes' to a kind friend that wants to help you with the baking, or even tablescaping can make all the difference. Millie Hurst, section editor for Homes & Gardens, encourages us to call on others instead of becoming overwhelmed by the sheer multitude of tasks.

She reminds us that 'Asking for help rather than silently getting flustered is essential. People are often more than happy to help you work out how much pasta you need, or even simply lay the table.

'Whether it is yes to having a guest put out dip, or make up your signature welcome drink, sharing is caring when hosting.'

Be prepared, keep the wine flowing, and invest in some guest-facing pajamas should you need to put visitors up in your beautifully decorated guest room for the night. Even if you need to host guests without a guest room, do not worry, it can be done, and you are sure to have a swell time. Lastly, enjoy yourself.