This one’s a biggie. It’s also kind of a blast. You can have a lot of fun preparing for overnight guests. Think B&B and focus on making the guest bedroom and bath comfy, cozy and convenient. Short on space? No need to add a room. With a little ingenuity, you can turn a den, sunroom or office into your own little holiday inn.

If your guests are going to be staying overnight, go all out. Get two Pyramid Shelves, put them back-to-back and fill them with cozy pillows and blankets. It’ll look just like a very accommodating Christmas tree! But if space is in short supply, conserve it. Sleeper sofas are a great alternative to a bed. They’re also way more comfortable and cuter than they used to be. Cozy it up with lots of fun pillows and a warm, snuggly throw. An accent or tray table can serve as a nightstand for a bedside lamp, while a home office desk transforms into a handy dressing table when you prop a large mirror on top. Store extra blankets and pillows in a trunk or ottoman that can also double as seating or luggage holder. For more tips on turning a spare room into a haven for guests, check out our online article, leading a double life.
		Next, think about the guest bathroom. First, make sure it’s squeaky clean (we’re talking toothbrush-and-bleach scrubbing). After it’s sparkling comes the really fun part – your excuse to go out and buy all those adorable seasonal and scented bath accessories. Arrange everything in a special gift basket and set it out on the counter to welcome guests when they arrive. If they’re traveling by plane, make sure to stock your basket with airline-friendly items: seasonal candles and smaller size bottles that can be transported home by air.
Now, if you’re the guest, you also need to do a little prep-work. Your host is taking you in, so be grateful. Pack a hostess gift that won’t explode, shatter or leak in your suitcase. A basket of colorful holiday candles, kitchen towels, frames or Christmas cookie and cocoa mixes are good choices. Or combine decorative coasters, wine charms and swizzle sticks for a fun bar accessory basket.
If you’re traveling this season and your bag is looking a bit worse for wear, indulging in a nice new one isn’t a bad idea (consider it your gift to yourself). While you’re at it, pick up some fun, unique luggage tags and travel-size bath items (most airlines require them to be in containers 3 oz. or less for carry-on, 12 oz. or less for checked baggage, with a total allowance of 70 oz.) Traveling with food items can be tricky, too. Some things you’ll want to put in a checked bag or ship ahead of time include alcoholic beverages, jams & jellies, syrups, dips & spreads, and cranberry sauce.