Holiday Hosting Tips
![A woman of color hanging a Christmas stocking from a pine garland above a mantle-less ribbon fireplace in a light-colored living room with light streaming in the side window.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Holiday-Hosting-Declutter-via-Getty-Images-580x387.jpg)
First, declutter and clean your home before decorating. Create a system to deal with incoming and outgoing packages and gifts.
![A framed sign with wifi login details, a woven basket containing shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, with 2 small rolled white facial towels. The basket is sitting atop a larger white folded body towel.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Holiday-Hosting-Guest-Room-Welcome-Basket-via-Flickr-580x272.jpg)
Next, prepare a welcoming guest bedroom and bathroom with a gift box or stocking full of helpful personal care goodies. Use holiday storage boxes for everyday items such as towels.
![Holiday table with a large red fabric napkin in a gold ring laid above a wooden laser printed word 'merry' atop a white plate, on top of a gold charger, layered on top of a silver place setting, with gold tableware either side, and glasses and candles above.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Holiday-Hosting-Place-Setting-via-Etsy-580x435.jpg)
Plan the drinks and food for your guests, with personalized table settings for formal meals and more casual dining, too. Start a month ahead to order and receive everything, or if there’s less time, use quick delivery services.
![A red, green, black, and white plaid table runner underneath a red and white place setting with 2 Santa-shaped drinks containers, one tall and one short and round. A bowl of holiday-colored candies and a wrapped gift adorn the table, along with red handled silverware. A red dining chair and decorated Christmas tree are just out of focus behind.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Holiday-Hosting-Charcuterie-Board-via-The-Party-Teacher-580x773.jpg)
Have a kids’ table AND a kids’ corner, so they can leave the table and have a cozy place to hang out. Bonus points for a gaming system, and be sure to have the wi-fi info handy!
![A woman with dark hair and fair skin is laying with her eyes closed atop a folded spa towel, while a grouping of candles are slightly out of focus in the background. A pair of hands is gently massing her head.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Holiday-Hosting-Spa-luxury-facial-via-aestheticsglow-580x469.jpg)
Don’t forget self-care after your guests are gone. Hire a cleaner, go to a spa, or get the babysitter in so you have some time to yourself.
Happy holidays from Kimball Starr Interior Design!
Kimball Starr decorates for the holidays in homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.