​5 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Christmas

Reconnecting with friends and relatives from nearby San Diego County or across the globe is the highlight of the holiday season. The prospect of welcoming Christmas visitors warms the heart as the end of 2014 approaches. Make sure your home is up to the task by creating a cozy, warm environment this December.

1. Holiday Cleaning

If you look forward to decorating for Christmas every December, you probably anticipate pre-holiday cleaning with an equal amount of dread. Resolve to make this chore a little more cheery in 2014 by playing holiday music and getting the whole household involved. Add these seasonal tasks for extra sparkle:

• Clean tile and wood floors on your hands and knees
• Hire a carpet cleaning service or rent a shampooer
• Wash or dry clean curtains, pillow covers and slipcovers

These small touches make a great foundation for your Christmas decorations.

2. The Little Things

Before you start decorating, consider the details that make a home look warm and inviting. Change out LED bulbs and other bright lighting for dimmer, more flattering bulbs. Everyone will love you for making them look even better. Candles are the ultimate in face-flattering lighting, so place them in guest rooms, at the dinner table and in areas where people gather.

3. A Warm Welcome

Your home shouldn't just appear warm; it should feel cozy as well. If you have a fireplace, make sure it's clean and safe to operate. Avoid nighttime chills by keeping extra blankets at the end of guests' beds or in another obvious place.

4. Be Prepared

Inevitably, an overnight guest will forget toothpaste or some other toiletry. Having extras on hand is imperative. Use pretty Christmas mugs, jars and other decorative containers to store cotton balls, extra toothbrushes and other essentials in guest rooms. If you don't have a convenient, highly visible place for coats and other December gear, hang extra coat hooks or place coat racks in your entryway.

5. Christmas Entertaining

Make 2014 the year that everyone mingles. Arrange furniture in small groups to encourage conversation. Hit the discount stores and invest in a number of small tables so that all seating offers a handy spot for stashing drinks. Finally, don't forget to enjoy yourself. Make sure you leave time to catch up with all your Christmas guests this December.

Are you busy preparing your home for the upcoming holiday? If so, we want to know some practices you use at your home.