EVENT SEASON IS ON THE HORIZON. TIME TO GET YOUR HOUSE GUEST READY!

M rost of us are familiar with the AT&T Pro Am, car week leading up to the Concours d’Elegance, Pebble Beach Food & Wine, the Big Sur Marathon and a litany of exciting race weekends at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This year, our little spot of heaven is also host to the U.S. Open, which promises to be outstanding.

Many of us use these events as welcomed opportunities to get together with loved ones and friends. For that reason, event season is the season for house guests! Don’t panic. There are a few things you should do to prepare for company so your time can be spent socializing and relaxing.

Of course you want your home fresh and clean. Bringing in some help is a good idea but you can also keep the task under control by keeping clutter to a minimum. Store items that would normally create clutter (think magazines, toiletries, etc) in stylish boxes or baskets to free up space and create a clean aesthetic. It will save you a lot of time as your guest filled weekend approaches.

Take a quick inventory around the house looking for run down appliances and threadbare linens. Now might be the perfect time to replace some older items. Your guests will be spending a fair amount of time in the bedroom areas. Try to anticipate their needs by adding essentials like an alarm clock, a soft throw, new cups and soap dishes in the bathroom are a must. You might need new or just more towels as well. Color coded towels is a fun way to make sure guests don’t get confused. While we are on the topic of linens, a dedicated set of sheets for guests is always wise.

Moving on to the kitchen, a new coffee maker is probably essential. Perhaps a Delonghi that brews 14 cups or maybe now is a good time to invest in a Nespresso product that uses pods (less mess). Is your current drink ware in good shape? Has your frying pan seen better days? How about cutting boards, hot pad holders, and all of those other kitchen gadgets that your well meaning guests might pick up an examine in an effort to be helpful? Additional touches from dish towels to crock pots should all be considered. Remember, the goal is to save time and make it easy.

If you don’t have a bar, you might think about setting one up in the living room in an effort to free up bottlenecks in the kitchen. Make sure you have plenty of coasters and, of course, seating, too. Don’t neglect your outside spaces! How does your patio furniture look? Need new cushions or a new umbrella? Our weather can be unpredictable and guests will surely want to spend time outside if we have one of our many glorious Peninsula days. Evenings will still get chilly so take a look at fire pits and heaters before your guests arrive.

Having company can be stressful but it doesn’t need to. Being prepared will help you enjoy the important times and alleviate stress.