It’s hard to believe that another holiday season is upon us already. For some of us, this may be the first time in a few years that we are welcoming friends and family into our homes. Creating a warm and inviting environment communicates to your guests that you’re thinking of them and that you value your time together. Here are six ways to approach preparing to host guests in your home to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time together.

Start outside. Since it’s likely that your guests will be arriving after dark, take a moment in the evening to stand at the curb and evaluate the approach to your home. Is the entire approach well lit, from curb to door? Is your house number easy to spot? Are there any trip hazards or items that need to be put away? Once you’ve taken care of these items, think about adding extra items that create a warm welcome such as potted chrysanthemums and a festive wreath.

Declutter & put away. This step can be one of the most time intensive, yet the effect it has on making your guests feel at ease is significant. Putting away things like mail, prescriptions and vitamins, shoes and backpacks, and toys that aren’t being played with helps to create a calmer environment through decreased visual clutter. It also shows your guests that you took the time to prepare for them and that you regard your time together as special.

Create special ambiance. Holiday gatherings are times for making memories, and those memories are made even sweeter through creating a special setting. Start by examining your seating options. For dining, make sure everyone has a place to sit, on equally comfortable chairs. Placemats, cloth napkins and name cards at each place setting are a lovely touch. In your living room, add throw pillows and 1-2 blankets as accessories. if your couch and chairs won’t be enough seats for everyone to hang out, add extra chairs with small side tables for drinks and create separate seating vignettes. Lastly, ensure your lighting is cozy throughout your home. Layer your lighting with lamps and candles (I always suggest flameless for safety reasons). Ensure paths to rooms your guests will use are well lit. It’s hard to find the bathroom if it’s down a dark hallway.

Bring life into your space. One of the surest ways to make your space feel friendly is through greenery and references to nature. A recent Washington Post article quotes research which says that the presence of plants can reduce stress and make us feel more at peace. As mentioned earlier, start outside your front door with a few potted plants. Aim to have some form of greenery in each room, and consider the added touch of floral arrangements in seasonal colors in the main seating area and on the dinner table.

Be ready to welcome. Your guests’ arrival will go more smoothly if you plan ahead in key areas. Since you already spent time decluttering and organizing before their arrival, create a designated space to put your guests’ coats and shoes to keep things tidy. If you don’t have a coat closet, consider getting a coat rack or use a room that is close to the front door and setup makeshift places to hang or set things. Next, use a portable speaker to have enjoyable music playing before guests start to arrive – this immediately puts newcomers at ease and sets the stage that they have arrived at a special function. Have a self-service drinks and hors d’oeuvres station set up and invite guests to help themselves. This allows you to mingle more easily or tend to the meal that you’re preparing. Lastly, do you have a pet that might not respond well to visitors? Prepare a plan ahead of time for how your pet will spend the evening.

Don’t forget the loo. Although it can seem like a minor point, it really does make a difference! Don’t forget to give the bathroom your guests will be using an extra deep clean. Bring out the nice hand towels, potpourri and perhaps even some votives with flameless candles.

I hope that these tips were helpful to you as you think about preparing to host friends and family this holiday season!