Monday, January 3, 2011

Time to Reflect [and find ways to improve]

The holidays came and went. Gosh, it's sad (and also relieving for some of you, I presume). Sad for me, as I love love love this time of year (yes, I'm a total sap).

Anyways, sad or happy, if you're like us at all, you're reflecting on all of your holiday entertaining. Were you prepared for your guests when they arrived? Were you running around at the last minute shoving your hairdryer away or folding blankets and puffing pillows? Did you run out of toilet paper or have a fridge that would NOT fit your uncle's special beer?

















There's always last minute primping organizing, but take a quick look at these '10 Little Things To Do Before Company Arrives' and you'll be 10 little steps ahead of the game.

1. Place Extra Toilet Paper Where It Can Be Reached: Even if you have a small space, placing an extra roll on the floor next to the toilet is perfectly acceptable. No one wants to do the pants around the ankles dance around the bathroom to try to find it? Too much information, nah, you totally know what we mean!

2. Acquire Ice: If you have an ice machine this might entail dumping it into a separate container to make more or it could mean buying some, even if you need to use a cooler. A halfway warm drink is never fun, especially in a hot room full of people!

3. Adjust The Temperature: If you're planning on packing the house full and you've had your oven on all day, then open a window or turn down the heat. No one wants to sit in their own stew or likewise freeze because it's too cold. Have blankets on hand if you're place is always chilly or make sure the bar is fully stocked!
4. Dig In Your Sofa: Unless you're one of those folks who cleans between their sofa cushions everyday (we'd tell you we were... but that would just be a lie), there's bound to be something in there. Who knows how it got there... husband... kids... dog... it doesn't matter, but you don't want your guests to find that scrap of pizza or stray fork that didn't make it back to the kitchen before you do!

5. De-Personalize Your Bathroom: Although friends won't fault you for having shampoo in your shower, if you only have one bathroom in your space, making it a little less personal can be a good thing. It's easy to fill it with blow dryers and makeup, personal hygiene products and other items. Tuck away what you can, clean what sits out and if your toothbrush looks like it's been used on a Saber tooth tiger, don't hesitate to buy a new one!

6. Make Your Refrigerator Accessible: You might have guests that are digging for beer or trying to help you get the leftovers put away, but people don't want to organize their own refrigerators let alone someone else's or have to worry about random items falling on them. Pack it in, stack it up and make some room and accessibility.

7. Rotate Your Laundry: For anyone that has in home appliances, it's easy to keep laundry running while you're taking care of other things around the home. Once company arrives however, all recognition of this task goes out the window (for obvious reasons). Make sure your wash load is rotated through so it doesn't get musty, your dryer load has been put away and you're ready to take on table linens after your meal!

8. Assess Your Drugs: This isn't to say that every party will give you a headache, but being prepared just in case without having to take a bus to the closest CVS or Walgreens is a good thing. It doesn't hurt to have a pack of Bendryl on hand just in case anyone has an allergy at the party (to food or in general).

9. Log Out Of Your Computer: Some might have their computer password protected, but you don't want a friend picking up your iPad and posting to your Facebook wall for fun. It can get out of control fast, especially if there's alcohol involved!

10. Be Prepared For A Sleepover: Depending on how late your party goes, be prepared to have a friend crash on your sofa or in your guest room. Knowing that you have clean linens to throw over the cushions or that your extra pillow has a pillow case is a serious plus!

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