10 Ways to Get Ready for Holiday Guests (2026)

If ways get ready holiday is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.

Key Takeaways

• This post is sponsored by Acorn It’s that time of year when we are getting ready to travel or have guests in our homes for the holidays!
• I wanted to give you some tips on creating a welcoming atmosphere if you are hosting guests in your home.
• Create a Necessities Gift Basket in your Guest Bath that includes Toiletries I love creating a small little basket or jar full of all the tr...

This post is sponsored by Acorn

It’s that time of year when we are getting ready to travel or have guests in our homes for the holidays! I wanted to give you some tips on creating a welcoming atmosphere if you are hosting guests in your home.

1. Create a Necessities Gift Basket in your Guest Bath that includes Toiletries

I love creating a small little basket or jar full of all the travel size items I’ve gathered throughout the year, then if a guest is missing something they have exactly what they need, plus it’s a excellent way to make guests feel welcome and let them know you were thinking about them ahead of their arrival. Add a festive holiday lotion for fun!

2. Add a Holiday Fragrance to Rooms & Bathrooms to Make Your Home Smell Fresh and Inviting

Do you love when your home has the perfect scent?! Have you seen all the excellent, and affordable candles, wax melts, and scented oils in the air care aisle at your grocery store? I found this Glade Sparkling Spruce candle at Walmart in air care isle for only $2.98! They have some fantastic scents, that are sure to make your guests feel right at home!

3. Add a few blankets to your Guest Bed in case of Cold Weather

Having extra blankets, and even pillows are a nice touch for your guests. That way they can choose their level of comfort without feeling like their bothering you asking for more of those items. My husband sleeps with 3 pillows, so we’re typically hunting for extras!

4. Place Fresh Flowers next to the Guest Bed

My parents are coming for Thanksgiving and my Mom loves Red Roses. My parents actually started putting fresh flowers in our rooms when we visited them  so I am borrowed this idea from them. It made me feel so special and loved that they thought of me. Now I get to do the same for them.

5. Make a Gift Basket - include Snacks, Water Bottles, Magazines or Movies

Wouldn’t you feel special if your hostess thought enough about your visit to put together a little snack and entertainment basket? Perhaps you know a movie your guest would like to watch or their favorite snacks…put it in their room for a special touch!

6. Freshen your Towels and Sheets - Use Vinegar in your wash cycle to add new life to your Linens before guests arrive

I love this tip on how to freshen your towels with vinegar - go HERE to see exactly how to do it. Our extra towels are really nice, but honestly they just sit unused most of the year. We don’t have house guests that frequently, so they could use some freshening before our guests arrive! They collect dust just like everything else that doesn’t get used very frequently.

7. Clean the Guest Room & Bathroom

Don’t forget to clean the areas where your guests will be staying. As I mentioned before, our guest room doesn’t get used very frequently, so it ends up being our catch-all for everything that I need to put away, but don’t have time at that very moment. I also like using a slightly fragranced counter top cleaner to freshen up the bathroom, plus it makes cleaning much more fun!

8. Stock up on some of your Guests Favorite Foods, even if they aren’t something you would normally purchase

We all know food is one of our comforts. So having foods your guests will enjoy will make them feel more at home. I always call my guests before they come and ask them to tell me some of their favorite foods I could purchase for their stay. There are always items I wouldn’t normally purchase, which is why I ask! Your guests will appreciate your efforts.

9. Get as numerous of your Chores done as possible before your Guests arrive so you aren’t working during their Visit

There will be some things you must do while guests visit, such as dishes, and general upkeep. But try to do any chores you can do before your guests arrive like paying bills, grocery shopping, laundry, work projects, and cleaning. Your company will enjoy being with you and having fun, the work can wait!

10. Ask your Guests what they Enjoy doing and incorporate some of those things into your Plans for the Holidays

My Dad loves nature, and one of the things he enjoys doing is walking on some of our local trails and seeing our local parks. If your guests want to ice skate, find the local ice skating rink and give it a try. Maybe they love movies, you could look up what’s playing and plan it ahead of time. Planning ahead is especially key if you need a babysitter for your kids!

My family will be here soon, and the first thing I am going to do is light my candles! Your house doesn’t have to be spic and span, but if it smells good, you’ll feel like it is! This 719 Walnut Avenue Peppermint Mocha candle smells awesome and will surely make my guests feel right at home!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Acorn. I was compensated for this post, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, double-check ways get ready holiday against current offers and any coupons you can stack. Small habits like this add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at passionforsavings.com.