9 Holiday Staples When Preparing for Houseguests

The holidays are upon us once again. With colder weather and festive gatherings afoot, you’ll probably have more houseguests than usual. When preparing for houseguests, it can be hard to stay on budget. 

Preparing in advance helps you save in the long-run, allowing you to shop for deals instead of buying an expensive last-minute item. As a host, you’ll want to anticipate the wants and needs of your guests to make sure they’re comfortable. 

Food, drinks and a welcoming environment are the base of a successful holiday event, but going above and beyond with attention to detail will make your event even more memorable. This year, delight your friends and family with a holiday gathering to remember.

Not sure how to go about preparing for houseguests? Keep reading to learn how to be a good host. 

9 holiday staples to always have on hand 

Preparation is key when getting your home ready for guests. Here are nine essentials to ensure a successful evening. 

1. Bottle of wine for last-minute guests

If you’re throwing a dinner party this holiday season, make sure you have the spirits to get your guests properly spirited. You never know who’ll arrive with an unannounced plus one, so having an extra bottle of wine on hand is essential as a host.

If no last-minute guests come to your party, you’ll have an extra bottle of wine to bring to someone else’s holiday party. Having something on hand means you really have time to shop around and buy a nice bottle of wine in your price range, instead of splurging for whatever the store has on hand last minute. 

2. Clean towels and sheets

We all have family or friends who live out of town and come to visit during the holidays. If you have an extra room in your house, offering it up will likely be gladly received. Make sure you have clean towels and sheets around for houseguests. 

Although you’re already being helpful by gifting a free place to stay, it’s essential to make your home a little more put together than usual for your guests. On a basic level, fresh sheets, towels, and linens should be on your list of to-dos before your visitors arrive. 

3. Extra toiletries 

It’s easy to forget smaller items like toiletries in the rush of packing for a trip. If you have guests staying with you from out of town, consider stocking your bathroom with extra items that they might’ve forgotten. 

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, floss, mouthwash, razors, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are all easily forgotten and relatively inexpensive to buy. Even if your guests remember their toiletries, they will appreciate your gesture as a host. 

4. Candles

If decorating isn’t your thing, candles are a cheap and easy way to spruce up your home for the holidays. Whether you prefer a flameless, battery-operated candle or a candle that gives your kitchen the scent of gingerbread, adding light to your home will give it warmth.

If you’re looking for party favors, a small holiday candle with a short heartfelt note does the trick. You can usually purchase these at the dollar store.

5. Extra gloves and hats

If you live in an area that stays warm throughout the year, we’re jealous. If winter means bundling up to get the mail, we feel your pain. Keep your guests warm this holiday season by having extra gloves, hats, and scarves in your coat closet. 

People often lose or forget a hat and gloves, especially when visiting from out of town. Having these items around shows that you want everyone to stay warm and cozy during their winter festivities. 

6. A matching set of wine glasses

If you’re investing in a nice bottle of wine, don’t make your guests drink it out of coffee mugs. If you have a miscellaneous assortment of wine glasses from different collections, consider buying one set that goes together. 

Especially when throwing a dinner party, wine glasses are a must for completing the table setting. Not to mention, if someone happens to break a glass you’ll have a backup for them. You don’t have to splurge to get matching wine glasses, try your local second-hand store or Facebook Marketplace.

7. Hot chocolate

The holidays are a time when you’ll probably be entertaining a wide age range of guests. Keep some packets of hot chocolate around for your younger visitors. Hot chocolate is inexpensive, sweet and seasonal, making it the perfect treat to have on hand for any kids in your life. And of course, don’t forget the marshmallows.

8. Festive music

Music plays a huge part in creating a welcoming environment. If you aren’t sure what kind of music to play, it’s hard to go wrong with some upbeat instrumental music to set a festive mood. Whether you have a turntable, CDs, live music or plan to stream your tunes for the night, holiday music is a must for any gathering. 

9. Serving dishes

If you’re not used to entertaining bigger groups, you might not have serving dishes fit for large meals. Can’t afford expensive dishes for the sake of one event? Not to worry! 

You can buy plastic serving dishes, or thrift them for a fraction of the price. You’ll want to have a satisfying way to serve all of the delicious food you made to your guests.

Gathering these holiday staples helps with hospitality, but what’s also important is accomplishing these extra touches within budget. With a little creativity and bargain hunting, you can start preparing for houseguests ahead of the holiday rush.