How I Survive the Holidays!!

Holidays are around the corner! Of course with the 3 little ones it’s one of our favorite times of the year! We just moved into our new house 3 years ago and did a major reno to accommodate our big family and our big family dinners.  Our home has an open door policy.  My childhood home growing up was the same way. We wanted our guests to feel like our home was theirs! As an adult I want the same for my guests in my own home! However, most times our home is our guests “home” during the holidays!

With a big family I’m always buying in bulk and making sure I have the “just in case” products in my home or the “you never know” kinda stuff!  I even have a shelf in my basement for the “just in case” stuff!  My mother was the same so she’s passed it down to me.  During December we never know how many people are going to stop by.  Yes we have specific dates when family comes by but with our open door policy guests come all the time! A couple years ago we had friends and family just show up from North Carolina in a blizzard. That’s commitment! How could we turn them away!? Oh and you and I know during the holidays adults can indulge in their ‘adult” drinks and we don’t let them drive they must stay over or take a cab home.

So how do you prepare for the unexpected guest?  Ok you ready for my list! Extra toothbrushes ( when guests stay over), soap, gifts ( yup I even buy generic gifts), Christmas cookies ( we make about 200 cookies) ,  cheese, crackers, olives and meat. Oh and you thought I was finished! We also stock up on fire wood, toilet paper,  tons of paper towels and facial tissue. When it comes to facial tissue we are pretty specific with the brand we buy.  For me it has to be 3 ply. We’ve all used facial tissue when we have had colds and when it’s not 3 ply it’s just not the same. Royale is 3 ply.  The boxes are spread throughout the house. So then Royale is always with you! For our guest rooms I leave towels, cookies, water , glasses and a box of tissues in their room. Then the guests really don’t have to leave their room! They have everything they need. I don’t decorate the guest rooms with a holiday theme so I feel like the boxes are enough! My  Speical Kayes love the holiday boxes. My little one who I’ve mentioned before even stashes a couple of holiday boxes away. I found a holiday box this summer in July in her bedroom.  What a little sneak!  We had a guest in the summer ask where we got it! Ummm it’s from December! We like to celebrate in our home all year round!

What tips can you share for the “unexpected guests” you may get over the holidays? Do you have an open door policy or do you prefer friends and family make scheduled dates to come see you? Let me know! AND Happy Holidays!