Tips and Tricks for Hosting This Holiday Season!

The holiday season is one of the most joyous yet stressful times of the year. The parties, shopping, gifts, planning, and travel can really take a toll on allowing yourself to enjoy all the good that comes with it. That being said, our spacious floor plans and amenities here at Millie on Michigan make hosting the holidays nice and easy. So whether your get-togethers this year are both in-laws and a cousin from out of town, or just a lovely co-worker from down the street, here are a few helpful tips to provide you peace of mind for the upcoming holidays.

Cook Ahead of Time

It seems like it should go without saying, but making food ahead of the event will be a huge time saver and make the season way less stressful! Knowing what is on the menu for when guests are coming and going makes this even easier, but if there are no set plans, preparing large and easy dishes can save you from last-minute hosting duties. Whether that is freezable slow-cooker soups, sheet-pan recipes, ready-to-bake cookies, or just any recipe that can be made in bulk. Both you and your guests will be grateful for not having to wait long (or at all) for those festive meals.

Decor Decor Decor!

One of the most crucial parts of hosting the holidays is welcoming your guests to a truly festive atmosphere. It may seem like a daunting task as there are many steps that may need to be done sooner than later. Our best tip for making sure everything is in tip-top shape for the Big Day is to take it a little at a time. Use 20 minutes to organize your holiday decor to take stock one day and clean up “that one corner” on another. The amount of decorations is all up to you, but having just a few items up and around your space can really elevate the overall vibe.

Keep Stocked

In addition to making sure some food is prepared, you’ll also want to make sure you have a few classic necessities. These items can easily vary depending, however, making sure you’re stocked up on basics will really keep the stress (and potential awkward asks from guests) to a minimum. A few items we recommend having on hand before the knock at the door would be:

• Easily accessible snacks: keep some easy finger food and drinks out for the ready.
• Bathroom supplies: anything from toilet paper, hand soap, or even enough towels for everyone.
• Pillows and blankets for last-minute sleepovers that may happen.

You’ll thank yourself later for being prepared and not having to run to the store the day of when there is already so much going on!

Activities

This one can be a hit or miss depending on the guests, theme, time, and etc of your event, but having an activity or two planned is a good way to not lose any party momentum! There are plenty of options to choose from - cookie decorating, gingerbread house making, holiday-themed crafts, and more can be a way to have the group all participate. You could even look into local holiday parades, tree lightings, or volunteering at local shelters. Either way, having a plan B can be the cherry on top of your perfect holiday party.