Give guests the perfect stay with this holiday hosting checklist.

‘Tis the season of giving … and hosting family and friends … and maybe feeling overwhelmed by all the planning and festivities. Don’t fret about forgetting something amid all the chaos. Make holiday hosting stress-free and give your guests exactly what they want and need by following this checklist.

Give them a warm welcome

Start the visit on the right foot by making your guests feel welcomed and safe.

• Style your front door decor with a gorgeous wreath or green garland for porch railings.
• Repair, clear and de-ice walkways, driveways, porch steps and railings.
• Prepare a mudroom to receive guests, hang coats and stow shoes and boots.
• Light a fire and stock the hearth with extra wood.
• Offer cozy blankets for evening hangouts.

Give them their privacy

Especially if you have overnight guests, give them some room to unwind by themselves and feel at home. It will give you the privacy to unwind in your own space as well.

• If the room you've given your guests does not have a locking door knob or lever, consider swapping that out for one that does. For about $40 and 15 minutes to install, it's a small detail that your guest will really appreciate.
• Clean out a drawer, closet space and bathroom shelf for guests’ belongings during a long stay.
• Hang blackout drapes for privacy from the neighbors and the sun when sleeping in.
• Consider placing a white-noise machine in the room to muffle bothersome noise throughout the house.

Give them access

Take a cue from successful Airbnb hosts who know the ability to come and go with ease is one of the leading ways to make guests happy.

• Give guests their own Schlage smart lock access code. Send it before their arrival so they won’t be locked out, even if you aren’t home yet.
• Provide the WiFi password or, for extra security, create a Wi-Fi guest network to accommodate your guests while keeping your main network secure.
• Create a cheat sheet with tips for using your home entertainment system, or smart home devices like lamps or speakers.

Give them some refreshments

Visitors can feel uncomfortable rooting around in your fridge or pantry.

• Set up a self-serve drink station or bar cart with fixings for delicious coffee, hot chocolate or ice water.
• Provide simple grab-and-go snacks and quick breakfast items like bagels and fruit.
• Place a tray with bottled water and your guests’ favorite treats in their room before arrival.
• Got pets? Make sure to stock up on allergy pills to offer your guests who may not be accustomed to fur and dander.

Give them some entertainment

Whether going out or staying in, make it easy to enjoy each other’s company.

• Set out a selection of board games
• Pull out your favorite holiday movies or add some to your Netflix queue for easy searching.
• Share a list of local attractions, shops and restaurants to explore.
• Provide books and magazines for guests who want a quiet night in.

Give them a gift

When giving gifts to house guests, consider thoughtful items like fresh flowers, a bottle of wine, local treats from your area, a nice candle, a small gift basket with snacks, or even tickets to a local attraction you think they'd enjoy. Just remember, if your guest is flying home, keep the gift small so it's easy to pack.

Every family’s traditions are different, but you can’t go wrong by following this simple holiday hosting checklist. Make guests feel welcome while giving yourself the chance to enjoy the season as well. Need more hacks for getting your home ready to host for the holidays? Check out our blog archive for simple updates you can tackle when you’re in a holiday hurry, including ways to improve your home security for the holiday season.