Hosting for the holidays comes with both joys and stresses. It's so lovely to have a home full of people enjoying themselves and appreciating all your efforts, but getting your house ready, looking at its best, and prepping any food or drinks can feel overwhelming. And those few hours before guests arrive can be a bit stressful.
So with wanting to avoid that last-minute panic, I asked interior designers what small, quick, and easy tweaks they make to their own homes to ensure it's ready for guests to arrive. We aren't talking cleaning or decluttering here, this is the nice bit that comes after, when you want to just make little tweaks around your home to make it super comfortable and welcoming.
All of these lovely holiday hosting tips can be implemented in the days or even hours before you start hosting and most involve using things you probably already have too.
1. Light candles and arrange flowers
'If you’re hosting this holiday season and want to refresh your space quickly before guests arrive, there are a few effortless yet impactful things I do to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. First, give your home a quick tidy-up –vacuum, dust, and wipe down surfaces. A clean space feels instantly refreshed, and the best part is that it’s both simple and free,' says designer Becky Shea.
'Next, set the mood with candles. Start burning them about an hour before your guests arrive so the fragrance has time to work its magic. I like to place one candle in the entryway to greet guests with a warm welcome and another in the dining or living room to carry the ambiance throughout the home,' she adds.
'Lastly, never underestimate the charm of fresh flowers. A thoughtfully arranged bouquet on a coffee table, dining table, or even your kitchen counter brings life, beauty, and an effortless elegance to your space. These small touches create a cozy and memorable experience that will make your guests feel truly at home.'
2. Bring in some greenery for last minute lovely decor
If you are after some last-minute Christmas decor greenery is your go-to. Florists will likely have plenty of beautiful evergreens in stock at this time of year, but if you can forage from your backyard even better. It's such a quick and easy way to make your home feel instantly festive.
Designer Marie Flanigan explains, 'Decorating for the holiday season is about creating warmth and magic in every corner of the home. I love to bring in natural accents – like sprigs of pine, fresh eucalyptus, mandarins, and bowls of pinecones to add texture and fragrance.'
'A few well-placed touches, like garlands draped over a mantle or clusters of simple ornaments, bring such an elegant nod to Christmas without overwhelming the space. It’s these organic, thoughtful layers that make a home feel both festive and beautifully inviting for the season. I also love to surprise by decorating unexpected spaces, like adding small Christmas trees on a stairwell landing, wrapping magnolia leaves around pendant lights, or tying a bow on a wall sconce for that extra touch of seasonal charm.'
3. Dim the lights
'Once the obvious and requisite tidying has been accomplished, I like to add a few quick touches to my home before guests arrive to make it feel extra welcoming and, if I'm being honest, fancy,' says designer Bethany Adams.
'I'll light a scented candle in the entry, powder room, and kitchen and add decorative tapers to the dining table and living room mantle. Fresh flowers (if I had time to stop at the grocery store that day) in a vase dress up my entry and coffee table, but if not, I'll pop out to the backyard or alley and clip a few branches for an easy and stunning arrangement. Finally, dimming the lights is the quickest and easiest way to set a welcoming mood.'
4. Get your welcome set up ready
'When I'm expecting guests, I always like to make sure I'm 100 percent prepared to offer a tasty refreshment, so I take a little time to stock my bar cart with spirits, wines, upscale soft drinks, garnishes, and festive glassware,' advises Kathy Kuo.
'I also place a few scented candles around my home to make sure guests are greeted with a warm and inviting scent and take a moment to fill my vases with seasonal blooms. These are super-simple actions that you can do less than 24 hours before guests arrive and they make such a meaningful impact.'
5. Focus on the senses
'Create a scented experience,' is designer Jennifer Walter. 'Scents influence how we feel in a space and infusing a bit of pine by way of a candle or diffuser instantly transports the senses to the outdoors.'
'Touches of seasonal decor can make a home feel festive and cozy. You don’t need to go overboard – just a few accents like a full-bodied wreath on the front door or garland draped over the fireplace mantel and stair railing can go a long way.'
'We also love an assortment of candle sticks on tabletops with candles in the colors of the season. A hand-tied velvet ribbon around the base adds a bit of luxury and texture as well.'
6. Get a simmer pot going
Alyssa Terpstras creative director of Coco & Jack thinks it's key to think about the senses too and she recommends 'A simmer pot to fill the home with a cozy and welcoming scent and light a wood burning fire and plenty of candles.'
She also advises making some small but effective additions to your decor – 'Tie ribbons from light fixtures and chairs for a pretty detail and add garland around doorways and evergreen centerpieces to your tables. Finally, dot around bowls of chocolate for guests to enjoy and play a Christmas playlist.'
So many designers have mentioned the importance of candles when creating a welcoming home and taper candles have a certain elegance to them that works on a table and a mantel.
If you prefer a diffuser to candles, this one from McGee & Co. has a fresh yet cozy scent of citrus and birch. Pop on your entryway console for an instant hit of festive scent when guests enter your home.
This realistic garland has such an organic look to it. The way it hangs so naturally gives the look you have just gone and foliage these pine branches from your backyard.
The key takeaway I am getting from this is I need plenty of candles and should start collecting some flowers and greenery. But really the key to a welcoming home during the holidays is all about that relaxed feel, so give yourself some time before guests arrive to take a breath, make a few small, lovely tweaks but ensure you are feeling at ease yourself before guests arrive.
