It’s the time of year when many homes are preparing to host dinners and parties and even overnight guests. This may seem like a simple project, but there are many things to consider. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for hosting guests this holiday season.

Increase Seating.

It’s a pretty simple concept: If you have more people, then you need more places for them to sit. Your normal living room setup may only have enough spaces for your immediate family and maybe one or two extras. So bring in a few extra pieces. A simple wooden bench, ottomans, or some folding chairs with festive seat covers can help make your room more guest-friendly without becoming an eyesore.

Update the Guest Bedroom.

If you’re having overnight guests at any point over the holiday season, then obviously they will need a place to sleep. And even if you’re not planning on anyone staying over, it can’t hurt to be prepared just in case. Make sure there are nice sheets, working outlets, and no leftover clutter from you or any previous guests. You can even put together a little cart or box full of all the things they will need during their stay – towels, toiletries, snacks, etc.

Child-proof.

The last thing you want during a family get together is an accident where someone gets injured. Make sure that any pointy, hot, or otherwise dangerous items are out of reach of small children. Put up gates around stairs if necessary. And put away your most valuable items if you normally keep them in a place where they could be conducive to accidents.

Clear Clutter.

It normally goes without saying that you should clean your home before inviting guests over. But your home can be clean and still feel overstuffed and cluttered when guests are around. More people = more stuff. So put away some of your decorations and personal items so that people have more places to put their drinks and purses. Keep out only the most essential items.

Stock Your Kitchen.

You probably have a pretty set menu if you are hosting any kind of dinner party. But over the holiday season, you might find yourself with last-minute guests at any moment. So you should always have at least some snacks and drinks around to offer. And if you are hosting a party with food, always have some extra just in case of picky eaters or extra mouths to feed.

Hosting guests around the holidays can be both enjoyable and stressful. But taking a few steps to get ready ahead of time can simplify the process and help your get together run much more smoothly.

Pictures: 1,2,3,4and5.