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fall

7 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Guests this Fall

This is a sponsored post in Diamond Bloggers. All opinions are mine.

It’s almost that time of year again. Time to open our homes to entertaining and hosting family and friends this upcoming holiday season. While it can seem daunting to be able to accommodate guests in our homes, it can be done easily and on a budget. Check out these 7 tips for preparing your home for houseguests this fall.

7 ways to prepare your home for houseguests this fall:

1) Declutter and clean. First things first: give your home a good clean before your guests arrive. This includes clearing away as many of your personal belongings as possible from the areas your guests will be using, such as the bedrooms and bathrooms. Empty a drawer in the bedroom, make space in the guest closet, and leave space for your guest’s coats in a front closet. Make sure there’s space in a wardrobe or under the bed for guests to store their empty suitcases. This step is crucial before guests arrive but can be done days or weeks in advance of their arrival!

2) Always be prepared. When it comes to hosting guests in your home, being prepared is key. You’ll want to be as much done before your guests arrive to allow yourself time for doing what matters most when it comes to houseguests, the hosting! Preparing a shopping list, taking an inventory of guest essentials (towels, linens, and a laundry basket for dirty clothing), and planning your tablescapes and decor can be planned out weeks in advance. 

black pencil on white card beside brown knit textile

3) Stock your home. Before your guests arrive, take the time to see if your guests will require any special foods or require specific foods to cater to food allergies while in your home. Then stock up on anything they might need – even if it’s something you don’t like. I like to go the extra mile and stock my home with holiday-themed teas, coffee, snacks, sodas, and breakfast items, including fresh fruit, they might enjoy. I then add them to my kitchen’s coffee bar, along with a framed printable letting them know they can help themselves to anything they might want. And for nightcaps, I like to add an assortment of beers, ails, sparkling waters, and ciders to my office mini-fridge. Some of my favorite brews include seasonal varieties from Melvin Brewing. This gives my guests a space to use nightly as a business hub, correspondence center, and place to unwind together. 

4) Give your guests plenty of information. One of the best ways you can prepare your home for guests is to give your guests the skinny on home your home works. Provide your guests with a bedside binder containing laminated sheets on all the information they might require during their stay is key. You’ll want to provide information on local pharmacies, doctors, vet clinics, local leash laws (should they be bringing their fuzzy family with them), and dry cleaners in your area.

Guests may also enjoy the information on local attractions, self-guided tours, coffee shops, and restaurants your guests want to visit or utilize during their trip. If your guests don’t have their own transportation while staying with you, provide them a $20.00 reloadable transit card, transit map, and number to your local taxi cab company.

Last but not least, share with your guests your personal schedule. Note your shower times, kid’s school schedules, policy for wearing shoes in your home, meal routines and, if you are working, what time you leave and expect you home each day. Don’t forget to let guests know what day a cleaner, pool service, or gardener comes to your home either. The last thing you want is a guest to be caught off-guard while alone in your home!

person wearing gray sock standing on stairs

5) Make them feel at home. For guests in your home longer than a few days, give your guests their own set of keys so they can come and go as they please. They’ll feel more at home if they don’t have to ring the doorbell every time they come in. Don’t forget to give them the code for any alarms you might have, show them how to work them, and mention where you hide spare keys in case of an emergency. You’ll also want to provide your guests with electricians, plumbers, security, your full mailing address (in case they need to quickly purchase something on Amazon), and other functionary information such as wi-fi passwords and codes for central air systems, as needed.

6) Give your guests a personal space. Giving your guests a small sitting room, use of an office during their stay, or an enclosed porch will give them a better sense of autonomy while in your home. 

7) Take a walkthrough. As a concierge is a key to a hotel, as are you to your guests while they are staying in your home. To ensure your guests have the best stay possible, you’ll need to perform a walkthrough of your home. Pretend you’re a visitor in your own home and spend a night in the guest room. Note your surroundings. Is the room too hot, too cold, how many beds or cots will your guests and their children need, and most importantly, are those beds comfortable?

That’s it, folks! Preparedness is key. Especially when it comes to hosting friends and family this coming fall. Friends, I hope these 7 tips will better help you prepare for guests in your own home this fall. Your house guests will appreciate you taking the time to make them comfortable in your home. Now I have to ask, do you have tips for preparing for houseguests each holiday season? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

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How Fall-Proof Is Your Household?

Can you believe it’s already October? It seems that summer was only yesterday, and now the red leaves are on all the trees – at least those that haven’t fallen yet. It’s that time of the year again: You can’t deny it any longer. The season of falling leaves, rainy days and nasty colds have just started.

This means that there’s no time to waste. You need to make sure your household is completely ready for fall. Indeed, the change of season is likely to bring several issues to your home if you haven’t prepared for it.

The comfortable summer weather might shift suddenly into windy or rainy weeks, which can affect your home, your health, and your overall mood. Besides, everybody knows that the next big celebration to come is Halloween – followed by Thanksgiving – and can be more harmful to your family than you suspect. Here are some tips to fall-proof your home.

how fall-proof is your home?

(Photo Source)

Get the home ready for the cold weather

The two significant weather changes that are about to occur – or that have already happened – are the rain and the wind. Even though not all regions are likely to experience a harsh fall, it’s fair to say that you need to prepare your home to cope with the climate. It’s never sexy, but you should clean your gutters before the winter.

The accumulation of debris can lead to clogs and cause flooding on the driveways and damage to your roofing area. Similarly, now is the perfect time to look after your soil, giving it the nutrients it needs to stay fertile and absorbs water as it rains. Ultimately, the process will keep your trees and lawn healthy and ready for the next spring season. But more importantly, dry soil can lead to flooding in your basement and ground floor levels.

Kids spend more time indoors

What do most kids do when the weather turns gray and cold? They stay indoors. From a parent’s perspective, you need to consider the risks in your home. Without handy childproofing tips, accidents are more likely to occur during the colder months of the year – a.k.a. when kids have plenty of time at home. Even with the best of will, you can’t always check what your kids are doing. That’s why it’s a good idea to review all the safety measures in your household, from doors – they shouldn’t lock in the bathroom or the bedroom – too hot ovens and cooking areas.  

Pack all your vitamins

We get it. It’s cold outside and really all you’re craving for, right now, is a slice of super indulgent chocolate cake. Who wouldn’t? While it doesn’t mean you can’t indulge now and then, you also need to pay close attention to your vitamin intake. Indeed, the season of colds and flu has officially begun.

Consequently, you need to ensure that you’re giving your body everything it needs to fight off germs and bugs. Vitamin D – which you can find in supplements and fatty fish and egg yolks – can actively boost your immune system and help you to fight off risks of flu. If you’re already feeling under the weather, echinacea can help you to get over your cold – it’s very useful for respiratory infections so that you’ll find your breathing ways clearing up quickly.

Avoid the Halloween accidents

Have you already chosen your pumpkin for Halloween? Do take the time to pick a pumpkin that is easy to care for you and your children. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Halloween can lead to serious injuries as a result of carving accidents.

To avoid several months of rehabilitation and a trip to the ER, you might want to take all the necessary precautions, including age-appropriate carving tool.

Cold feet catch colds

Splashing in the puddles is not only a lot of fun – don’t deny it; every kid loves it, and many adults still do – but it’s also one of the best things about fall. You can accept the rain if there’s something playful about it. For most kids, jumping in the mud puddles makes the rain acceptable.

Admittedly, you know that you can’t splash unless you’ve got proper shoes. In fact, a common issue is to invest in a pair of rain boots for the puddle walk and to stick to your regular shoes the rest of the time. It’s essential to waterproof old shoes ahead of the rainy days if you want to avoid getting wet socks. Using waterproof spray or beeswax on canvas shoes, you can make sure your family keeps their feet dry!

Is your household ready to sustain the dangers of fall? From heavy rains to nasty colds, fall can affect your natural protection, whether it’s the roof of your house or your immune system. The bottom line is to stay safe this season!

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2018 Fall Bucket List

2018 Fall Bucket List

The time for falling leaves and hot apple cider is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited. Whether you’re a fan of carving pumpkins or creating your own Halloween porchscape, there’s something about fall that makes it a favorite for us all.

To help you celebrate, or come up with a few ways to enjoy the season at home, here’s my own bucket list of fall activities that’ll leave you eager to experience all this season has to offer:

2018 Fall Bucket List

1. Attend a football game

Nothing says the beginning of fall like the return of football season. While our teams may be different, we’re all coming together for the same reason — to witness America’s most beloved sport. So be sure to get your game day outfit ready and perfect your tailgate recipe for this classic fall event. Not into the NFL? High school or college games are just as fun. It’s all about getting into that team spirit. At our home, we’re all things Southern Miss and Saints football!

2018 Fall Bucket List

2. Decorate for fall

What better way to get in the spirit of the season than surrounding ourselves with reminders of it? Craft your own fall wreath or go on a mission to find your next fall porchscape. Maybe meet some new friends along the way? Like our obsession with pumpkin spice lattes (no judging, please), the choices are as endless. Get creative!

2018 Fall Bucket List

3. Go to a pumpkin patch

Another traditional fall activity, pumpkin patches are the reason to live for October and the ultimate reminder of our childhoods. Take yourself (and family if they care to tag along) to the pumpkin patch, pick the pumpkin you want to carve and top it off with a hayride!

2018 Fall Bucket List

4. Cultivate a fall reading list

With this week being National Banned Book week, what better time to cultivate yourself a fall-inspired reading list? Think of cozies with teeth or perhaps a historical narrative. The possibilities are endless!

2018 Fall Bucket List

5. Attend a cemetery tour

Life is always stranger than fiction. So enjoy the spooktacular Halloween season by taking in a historic cemetery tour. Each year our family takes a tour of the local Rose Hill Cemetary and stops by to see the grave of the great Gypsy Queen, Kelly Mitchell!

2018 Fall Bucket List

6. Get crafty

There is something to be said for crocheting, knitting, quilting, or even gluing together home decor decorative or a piece of wearable art. Looking for some crafting inspiration? Try your hand at making a crochet candy corn cozy to help keep your hands safe while sipping on hot pumpkin spice lattes!

2018 Fall Bucket List

7. Make an apple dessert

The only thing better than dessert is a dessert that’s home-made. And while we are in National Apple Month what better time to get baking? We love to make apple pie, apple dumplings, and lighter breakfast fare, such as Walnut Apple Pie Chia Seed Pudding. Whatever you make, your house is about to smell delicious. Save us a slice!

2018 Fall Bucket List

8. Create a fall capsule wardrobe

Now is the time to be enjoying sweater weather by creating a seasonal capsule wardrobe full of your favorite scarves, booties, flannel tops, knee-high boots, and jeans. Because when it comes to dressing comfortably, fall is on our side. So pick pieces that are as cute as they are cozy and then consider donating the rest to charity. As nothing looks as good on a gal as a charitable heart!

2018 Fall Bucket List

9. Plant Mums

There’s nothing like the beautiful hues of mums to change your mood and your home! From deep umber to burnt orange and fiery burgundy, there are mums for every color palette and porchscape. Try your hand at adding this affordable perennial to your front beds at home!

2018 Fall Bucket List

10. Pass out candy to trick-or-treaters

Little kid costumes are the absolute best — and complimenting them makes them oh-so-proud. Be sure to grab some really good candy and a few varieties without nuts for those with allergies. Then, turn on a scary movie and wit for the little monsters and ghouls to arrive!

2018 Fall Bucket List

11. Take in a sunset

While all sunsets are spectacular under southern skies, there are sights to see around the equinox in all parts of this great country. So make a point to walk around your downtowns areas. Embrace the small town charm, treat yourself to hot apple cider, and take in natures best evening show.

2018 Fall Bucket List

12. Attend a Veterans Day Parade

Here’s nothing like the brisk fall air on your cheeks as you pay tribute to America’s bravest each November. Check to see if your town will be hosting a Veterans Day parade and inquire about ways you may be able to volunteer and give back to those who ensure we can all enjoy peaceful fall days at home. Veterans should also check to see what free dinners are available to you to honor your service to this great country.

2018 Fall Bucket List

13. Host a Halloween movie night

Watching a scary movie with all the lights off is so uniquely fall. And our family loves watching Freeform’s 13 Nights of Halloween! We especially love watching Hocus Pocus and the Nightmare Before Christmas. Classics!

2018 Fall Bucket List

14. Cook a crockpot classic

Ah, fall crockpot (and Instapots!) classics! Try your hand at making a crockpot fall classic like tailgating chili, hearty vegetable soup, butternut squash soup, or a new classic, like Tikka Masala with a side of pumpkin hummus. Perfect for cool, crisp days at home!

15. Create a thankfulness station

Each fall at home, my families like to collect leaves from nature walks and our own backyard and each day of fall, from September 21-December 22, we each write on our leaves what we are most grateful for. We attach the leaves to a wreath form, collection of tree branches, or wicker cornucopias with mini clothespins. At the end of the season, we re-read each leaf and reflect on how blessed we are as a family!

So, friends, those are things I am most looking forward to this next season ahead. Now I want to ask, what’s on your fall bucket list this year? Be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know what your most looking forward to experiencing this fall!

2018 Fall Bucket List

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