Entertaining Ideas
Always be prepared with gifts and wrapping supplies. Instead of choosing themed gift wrap, try picking up an assortment of solid colors, along with a fun variety of ribbons and trims. That way you can create a number of different looks for any occasion, all with the same supplies. Extra credit: Store a few go-to gifts along with your wrapping supplies, for those times when you're caught by surprise. Try to have something appropriate for baby, child, housewarming and wedding.
Get in the habit of picking up flowers at the market. If making fussy arrangements stresses you out, vow instead to keep things fresh and simple. Pick up single-color blooms (white is always chic) at the grocery store or farmer's market and plunk them in any vase or pitcher you've got. Large flowers (like hydrangeas) and blooming branches offer a lot of bang for the buck.
Get your guest room ready in minutes. First of all, keep the bed made so you don't have to worry about that. Next, devote a shelf in your linen closet to storing guest room essentials, so you can just grab the whole stack and go. Consider including: a fresh set of towels, slippers, a robe and a small basket of spare toiletries. Bonus: Stock the bedside table with interesting books, magazines, chocolates and a carafe of water.
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