Ogdensburg New Jersey Self Storage | Mini Storage | Storage Units | AA1 Self Storage

We love the holidays in the Sussex County, NJ area. Holidays are a time for friends and family from near and far to come together and enjoy each other’s company. If you are the one hosting the gathering though, it might seem like a daunting event. Take away your trepidation and take our advice.  With a little bit of prep work you can delight in your company.

Let’s start at the very beginning (a very good place to start)

Create a warm and inviting entryway to welcome your holiday visitors. Make sure your walkways and porches are free of debris, ice, or snow and are well lit. Lay out a new welcome mat and pretty holiday décor such as wreaths, potted plants or string lights.

As they enter provide them with an organized place to collect their cold weather apparel. Incorporate a bench for guests to sit while removing shoes, a table for them to place belongings and hooks or hangers for their coats or wraps.

Keep the kids (and parents) in mind

If your holiday visitors include small children, consider doing a little child-proofing before their arrival.  There are a few basic precautions that you can take. Cover the electrical outlets with small plastic covers available at most hardware stores.  Move lamps and vases away from table edges. Make provisions to block stairways to prevent hazardous falls. Be sure to also transfer toxic cleaners and medicines from floor to wall cabinets and hide matches and lighters. You may also want to ask parents to bring hardware, such as baby gates and cabinet locks, that keeps their little ones safe. All of these small things not only allow the kids, but also their parents to enjoy the festivities.

Organize the Command Center

The Kitchen is often the heart of any holiday gathering. Make sure it is ready for extra holiday helpers ahead of time. Organize your go to holiday kitchen items such as baking trays, utensils and serving dishes so they are on hand when needed. To increase your storage (something we always encourage) and keep counters clear, install a pot rack.

Move the coffee maker out and create a coffee station in the family room so guests don’t crowd the kitchen in the midst of fixing meals. Placing stools around the perimeter of the kitchen or island will give guests an out-of-the-way place to rest and visit while you’re cooking.

Make (Guest) Room

Overnight visitors will enjoy the small touches that give them a little oasis in the midst of the holiday bustle. Make sure the guest beds have fresh linens. Clear some closet space or a drawer to make your guests feel more at home. Provide your guests with a bedside clock and reading lamp. You may also want to replace the ceiling fixture with a ceiling fan and light combo, which helps guests modify their room temperature without meddling with the house’s thermostat.

If you do not have a separate guest room, transform some of your public areas into a sleeping space. Put up a folding screen or rolling bookcase. Either will provide privacy for sleeping company. Consider moving some of your larger, unnecessary pieces of furniture into your self-storage unit to make more room.

A little preparation, planning, and organizing can go a long way to giving you that greeting card holiday you have always wanted. We wish all of our Sparta self-storage customers a wonderful holiday and healthy new year!

Tags: Storage Ogdensburg NJ, storage route 15 NJ, Storage Sparta NJ, storage Sussex county NJ