Having guests in town can be stressful, so it is a good idea to prepare well in advance so that you can relax and enjoy the company of your guests. It is best to come up with a list of things that you need to do, and a list of things to buy, so that you can take your time preparing. There are times that guests arrive with little warning, but for the times you are able to prepare, it is the best way to make it a stress-free experience.

Plan ahead

Having extra people (or even one extra person) in your house can be a big difference, so plan ahead for their arrival if possible. Don’t leave your planning until the last minute. Entertaining guests is often exhausting, and you don’t want to be overshadowed by things that need to be taken care of. If you don’t plan ahead, you will likely find yourself scrambling at the last moment to clean, run chores, go shopping, etc.

Stock up

This is a great time to stock up on essentials. Make a list of everything you might need and a little extra, from toilet paper to snacks. Be sure that your pantry basics are stocked, so that you don’t find yourself in a pinch and having to run to the store. You’ll also want to make sure that your guest has access to items, like towels, soap, tissues, toilet paper, etc., as well as backups of those items if they are to run out. Be sure to have plenty of snacks and foods available for your guests.

Clean

Cleaning is a major preparation for the arrival of guests. Focus first on the guest room, bathroom, and kitchen, working your way to other parts of the house. Cleaning can take a while, so make sure you give yourself ample time to finish.

Make sure things are in working order

When your guests are in town, you want to be sure that everything is running smoothly. Even minor issues like a leaky faucet or a fussy shower knob can be a source of frustration for everyone. A broken dishwasher can mean a big headache when it comes to cleaning up after meals. A broken washing machine can mean having to spend time at the laundromat instead of with your guests. Now is the time to call for appliance repair and get these things taken care of, before guests arrive.

Prepare the guest room

Be sure that you have the guest room prepared in time. Make sure that you have proper bedding that is clean and ready. Don’t wait until your guests arrive, only to remember that you ran out of pillows. Wash bedding, towels, and other things ahead of time, so that you aren’t scrambling to get these things done at the last minute.