‘Tis the season to gather together! The holidays are a time for togetherness, whether that’s enjoying a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner with your nearest and dearest or hosting your siblings and their kids for a week in December.
While the season is supposed to be about sharing love, joy, and gratitude with the people in your life, those warm fuzzies aren’t always guaranteed — especially if you’re taking the reins and cooking the turkey or letting the crew crash in your guest room. From cooking to cleaning to entertaining company, the holiday can be really stressful. However, with a little pre-planning and a few helping hands, it can be a whole lot easier… even fun!
Make a list… or three.
You volunteered to host Thanksgiving dinner. Great! Now it’s time to get to work making a plan. Sit down with a pen and paper and make lists of everything you’ll need for the event: a meal plan, groceries, who’s bringing what. This will help you visually see everything that needs to get done and make it easier for you to divvy up duties and dishes.
Know your limits.
A huge part of holiday hosting stress can come from taking on more than you can handle. Don’t volunteer to make the turkey if you don’t like to cook! Don’t go overboard redoing the guest room or planning a nonstop agenda of activities. Your loved ones want to spend time with you and with each other, not a picture-perfect Instagram setting. Be realistic about your expectations for dinner or the weekend so you don’t spiral over the little things.
Let others help.
If someone asks what they can bring for dinner, give them a task! They’re genuinely asking and want to help, so don’t feel pressured to do everything. Let your aunt bring a salad or assign your brother to stuffing duty. On the flip side, if people aren’t asking what they can do, don’t be afraid to send them a note asking them to bring wine, ice, or a side. Be clear about what you need so you don’t have to field a bunch of calls or texts later. If you’re hosting and know you’ll be stressed about dust and clutter, consider hiring a cleaning service to do a quick onceover before guests arrive. If your mom wants to dust, hand her a cloth and let her get to work! That’s one thing off your plate.
Stock up on the essentials.
Having house guests means ensuring they’re comfortable and cared for. Make sure each guest has clean bedding and towels, a place to set their belongings or unpack, and maybe an extra phone charger. Before they arrive, ask about any dietary preferences or even their favorite coffee creamer so you’re stocked up. Let them know where they can find medicine, toilet paper, and any other small things they may need while they’re hanging out with you.
Remember it’s just a few days.
Hosting isn’t forever! As much as you love your family, having people in your space can be stressful and irritating too. Those feelings are normal; just take a second, breathe, and remember that things will go back to normal soon… and that they’ll return the favor in the future.
Plan simple activities.
If your guests are sticking around longer than a night, consider planning a few activities to keep everyone entertained. For kids, that could be as simple as puzzles, games, or art projects. The key word is simple, not elaborate! Check out a museum or park. Decorate the house together. Bake cookies. Plan a holiday movie night with hot cocoa and cookies. Having simple activities on the schedule helps fill up time and keep guests — especially small ones — from getting bored.