Prepare home for winter – If you have guests coming to stay in your home this winter, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to “winterize” your home and be the best host you can be. Take a few minutes to assess what needs to be done to turn your house into a great cold-weather entertainment hub.
Check Your Systems
Even before it gets cold, you should have your HVAC system checked out by a professional. Realizing that your heater doesn’t work after the guests have arrived is embarrassing, and emergency service could be costly. Similarly, get all your water heater repairs in Valley Glen done early before your friend has to take a cold shower. Change the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and stock up on heating oil or propane tanks if you use them.
If your home has a fireplace, make it ready by checking that the chimney is free of birds’ nests and that the flue works properly. Stock up on nice smelling firewood like pinon or pine. If you have a gas fireplace, there are special logs you can buy that will make the flames dance with color. Outdoor firepits can probably use some TLC also. Dump the ash and debris from last winter’s fire and clean the pit according to the manufacturer’s suggestions based on the type of material it’s made from.
Beautify the Exterior
Having visitors coming is a great excuse to do some yard work. You may not need to cut your grass but trimming your trees will help more prolific growth in the spring and prevent possible damage to your house in a storm. There are plenty of flowers that bloom in cold weather, so consider planting snowdrops or winter jasmine to perk up your yard. Aptly named winter aconite and glory of the snow will even bloom through fallen snow.
Switch Up the Décor
If you love the soft feel of flannel sheets, now is the time to break them out. Your guests, especially those not used to cold weather, will appreciate their warmth. Winter is the perfect time to use a decorative bedspread in red or green. Add sofa blankets to all your sitting areas so everyone can curl up in their own cozy corner. The changing of the season is also the perfect time to change out a few decorations around the house. Buying a variety of covers for standard sized throw pillows allows you to change the look of your living room without having to store multiple sets of pillows. Choose a holiday scene, evergreen trees or forest animals such as foxes or deer to help set a wintery mood.
Dust Off the Games
Many people love winter, but they prefer to look at icy scenery out the window rather than bundle up in scarves and hats and go outside. Unless your guests are coming specifically to ski or ice skate, you may have a lot of indoor entertaining to do. Complete an inventory of your game closet and make sure you have a variety of games for group or solitary play. If you will be entertaining young children, consider what they can play by themselves such as Candyland or Monopoly Junior. Adults enjoy poker and dominoes. It’s always smart to have several decks of cards on hand too.
Stock the Pantry
There is something about the cold winter air that gives people the munchies. Stock your pantry with some easy-to-fix cold weather favorites for your guests. Popcorn, cocoa and favored coffee scream winter. S’mores are a winter treat, so add marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers to the list. Even if you don’t roast them over a fire, you can still bake them in the oven, and they will be just as delicious. For a casual meal, try heating up a variety of canned soups and making grilled cheese with hearty bread.
Having guests in winter usually brings extra coats on the coat rack and extra time indoors. It can be a great time to bond, though, snuggled up in front of the fire watching the snowfall or playing cards all together.
