From decorations to food, planning the perfect holiday party can be stressful, but it is the little things that can prevent your guests from enjoying the perfectly cooked ham or beautifully designed centerpiece.

Here are some tips for getting your Williams Bay home holiday ready:

• Don’t forget the outside! Your front door makes the first impression on your guests, so make sure it gets a little TLC. Replace blown out bulbs, scatter sand or kitty litter on slippery steps, and add a wreath to create a welcoming entrance.
• Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls: If it is raining or snowing outside, make sure that you take preventative measures to make sure that the floors stay dry and people don’t slip. Put out festive welcome mats on both the inside and the outside to make sure that people have plenty of opportunities to wipe their feet. Also, keep area rugs in place with double-sided tape to prevent tripping and slipping.
• Create the Perfect Temperature: Just because it is cold outside, does not mean you have to crank up the heat. Turn down the thermostat by at least three degrees, so that guests aren’t left sweating. If you have a fire going, you may want to turn down the heat even more.
• Designate a Place for Coats: Since it is winter, your guests are likely to have coats on. Offer to take their coat from them and either place them in a hall closet (if you have enough room), in a designated bedroom or add a portable coat rack that adds extra closet space.

A holiday party is a great way to spend time with friends and family, so make sure they are enjoying the conversation and not shivering over their dinner!

Gerstad Builders builds Williams Bay, McHenry, Richmond and Poplar Grove homes that are perfect for entertaining. For more information on our beautiful homes, visit www.GerstadBuilders.com.