Make your apartment unit a home for the holidays
The weather is cooling down, but the rush of guests will be heating up as the holiday season approaches.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and the joy of connecting with family and friends can easily be overshadowed by the stress of preparing for guests. However, by doing some preparation beforehand, you can ensure a smooth transition.
If you have family or friends visiting you at your apartment community this holiday season, there are a few ways you can make them feel at home.
Make room for the rush: You may need to rearrange furniture to accommodate the crowd. Move your couch against the wall to provide more floor space or bring kitchen chairs into the family room for additional seating by the television.
Decide on the sleeping arrangements ahead of time to guarantee everyone has a place to sleep comfortably. There is no better way to make your apartment home inviting than cleaning the space ahead of time. Wash the sheets, mop the floors, organize the bathroom and wipe down your countertops to provide a clean and spacious environment for your guests and their belongings.
Organize a parking spot: During the busy season, parking may begin to fill up. If your guests are driving to visit you, speak with your community manager weeks in advance to organize a spot for your guests to park. If your community’s management requires it, make sure to register the guest and their vehicle as well.
Prep food ahead of time: Most holidays are centered around food. In order to keep guests happily fed and to remain relaxed, prep your food ahead of time. This will ensure you have the right amount of food at the right time for your guests. It also will help prevent injuries from rushing to chop ingredients or burning food on the stove.
Decide on electronics boundaries: Your guests will need to be entertained, and naturally, they may gravitate toward the TV for a fall sports game or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Make sure to decide on electronic boundaries ahead of time in order to avoid an excessive volume, overuse or damage.
Let guests know if they have free range over the remote or your video games. It’s inevitable that your family and friends will ask for the Wi-Fi password so display it in an easy-to-see area so everyone can have access to it.
Don’t ignore the little details: If it makes sense for you to give your guest a spare key, you should arrange this before they arrive. Ask your community manager if the spare key can get them into the resident-only areas or if you need to accompany your guests. Take into account other little details such as the amount of glassware, towels and blankets you have so every guest has an equally satisfying experience.
Know the community rules and share them with your guests: The most important thing to remember is to be respectful of your neighbors and the apartment community. Be mindful of the volume of your music or television as well as the volume of your guests’ voices. Familiarize yourself with your community’s amenity hours and quiet hours. This information is important to pass on to your guests as well.
Since this is the season of giving, many apartment communities host charity drives to help support local nonprofits. This is a great opportunity for you and your guests to get involved and give back to the community.