It’s the most wonderful time of the year! However, if you are hosting holiday guests, you may beg to differ, but with a few simple tips, you will be ready to welcome your holiday guests with open arms. Here are ten tips on how to host holiday guests this winter season.

#1: Share Space
In order to keep order in the coat closet, create some extra space ahead of time before holiday guests arrive. If you live in a colder climate, guests may arrive with bulky coats, snow boots and other cold weather accessories like hats, scarves and mittens, so clear out some space in your front entryway or hall closet to keep everything neat and tidy during their stay.
 

#2: Child Proof
If holiday guests include babies or small children, be sure to walk through your home and pick up any potential pitfalls. Store away any harmful objects or decor and child proof any furniture if needed.
 

#3: Prepare for Pets
If holiday house guests plan on bringing their furry friends, ask guests if they need any extra necessities for Fido. Although your holiday guests will most likely bring everything their furry friend needs, it’s still a nice gesture. If you are in the holiday spirit, you can even leave out a new toy or set of treats for them. It is the season of giving after all!
 

#4: Make the Beds
Prior to your holiday guests’ arrival, make up the guest beds with a fresh set of sheets. Be sure to have extra blankets and pillows on hand and set out clean bath towels and washcloths in the guest bathrooms.
 

#5: Add a Personal Touch
If you want to add an extra touch, leave small travel size toiletries in the guest rooms such as tissues, fresh soap, tooth paste, mouth wash and lotion. Take it one step further and set out a new set of warm fuzzy slippers and a good bedside book you think guests may enjoy reading before they drift off to dreamland.
 

#6: Stock Up on Snacks
Stock your kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves with snacks, so guests can graze whenever hunger strikes. Purchase extra produce like fresh fruits and vegetables and be sure to show guests where everything is kept so they can dig in whenever they need to satisfy a snack attack. A word of caution: Set aside any food you may be using to cook up your holiday feast so no one accidentally eats all of the vegetables for the holiday appetizer tray!
 

#7: Create an Information Station
Create an information station that is centrally located in either the kitchen or living room. Write down quick references of important information like Wifi passwords, home alarm codes and any other essential information so guests can quickly reference it if needed.
 

#8: Get in the Spirit
Plan an activity you, your family and your holiday guests can do together. Some of our favorites include:

• Playing board games
• Decorating Christmas cookies
• Watching a classic holiday movie
• Roasting marshmallows around the fireplace
• Wrapping gifts together

#9: Play Tour Guide
If holiday guests are staying longer than 1-2 nights, or if you plan on working at the office during their visit, give your holiday guests a list of local spots like community cafes, delicious restaurants and places to shop. They may need to finish some last minute holiday shopping!
 

#10: Sweet Send Off
Give your holiday guests a sweet send off by sending them home with some delicious desserts leftover from the holiday festivities.
 

Host holiday guests with ease this season by using these ten tips and remember to enjoy their company!

​​​​​​​Looking for a tasty way to welcome holiday guests? Try this recipe for Aebleskiver made three different ways! Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, dessert or all three, your guests won’t be able to get enough of these treats.

lngredients:

• 3 Large eggs
• ½ teaspoon Baking powder
• ½ teaspoon Baking soda
• 3 cups Flour
• 2 tablespoon Granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 3 cups buttermilk
• 1 Nirali Aebleskiver pan with Teflon™ nonstick coating

Preparation:

1. Whisk together the eggs and sugar
2. Add the buttermilk, vanilla and oil
3. Stir in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt
4. Spray each cup of the Nirali Aebleskiver with Teflon™ nonstick coating pan with a tiny bit of oil.
5. Preheat the pan over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until hot
6. Fill each cup in the pan 3/4 of the way full - a little less when adding filling*
7. Cook for a minute or so until tiny bubbles show on the surface and the edges look like they are setting
8. Add any filling to the center of the batter and top with a tiny bit of batter to cover
9. Use a wooden chopstick to push the tip into the middle of the batter to the bottom of the cup and gently lift the pan so that it turns, lifting the cooked part out of the pan
10. The uncooked batter will run into the bottom of the cup
11. Let the pan cook a bit more and turn again, slightly twisting so the seam from the first turn lifts out of the cup, so that it begins to form a ball shape
12. Keep turning the pan so it doesn’t burn and so that it cooks evenly on each side
13. Serve warm with any variety of toppings: syrup, whipped cream, powdered sugar, and jam

Cooking Tip:
* Have 4 tablespoons of oil handy to add to the pan between batches
* Watch closely to avoid burning

Aebleskiver Fillings:

Breakfast:
* During Step 6 add 5-6 blueberries and top with 1 tablespoon of batter and cook for 1 minute before turning

Lunch:
* During Step 6 add 1 tablespoon of jelly and top with 1 tablespoon of batter and cook for 1 minute before turning

Dessert:
* During Step 6 add 1 tablespoon of apple pie filling and top with 1 tablespoon of batter and cook for 1 minute before turning