(Safely) Home for the Holidays

The holidays are right around the corner and soon enough families across the country will be opening up their homes to house guests for the first time in months. While we couldn’t be more excited at the thought of welcoming others outside of our “pod” for an overnight stay, we wanted to make that sure you, our Sinkology family, is well-prepared to safely welcome visitors. We would love to dive right into the fun stuff, but we have to put safety first.

According to the CDC, homeowners should take the following steps to prepare their homes for a safe visit.  

• Limit the number of guests you invite.
• Prepare your space for outdoor gathering or a more spacious indoor setting.
• Clean and disinfect your home thoroughly before guests’ arrival and throughout their stay. Follow the CDC’s top cleaning tips here.
• Prepare or order food that can be served individually, rather than potluck style.
• Increase ventilation of your home by opening windows and doors, weather permitting. If the weather makes this step impossible, set central air and heating on continuous circulation.
• Keep your local mandates and safety recommendations in mind when preparing for your visitors.

Once your guests arrive, the CDC recommends that you kindly request they do the following as soon as they arrive:

• Wash all clothing and masks.
• Stow luggage away.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Throughout their stay, the CDC recommends congregating outdoors as much as possible and maintaining proper social distance and continuing to wear masks. Make sure your guests are aware of all CDC travel recommendations. You can direct them to their website here.

We at Sinkology plan to quarantine the 2 weeks leading up to our holiday travels and get tested for COVID-19 before driving to our loved ones. We hope you do the same too, whether you’re the host with the most or eager visitor.

If you’re hosting, have fun with the rest of the prep work. This is your chance to create a vacation-like experience for your guests, which will be a much-needed treat for all.

First, as you make space for safe congregating, make sure there is plenty of space for guests to store their things. As we mentioned earlier, it’s a good idea to keep their suitcases out of common areas. Provide some sort of bench for them to easily and safely access all of their packed goodies. For the most homey feel, clear out drawers or closet space so they can completely store their suitcases and feel right at home with easy access to everything they brought with them.

Once you’ve made space, create a hotel feel with thoughtful touches throughout the home. If guests are staying overnight, take the time to lay out a set of towels, complete with a set of wash cloths. Keep plenty of travel-size toiletries on hand for the cleanest, resort-worthy setup. No matter how long your guests plan to stay, whether overnight or just a day trip, set out hand sanitizer in all high-traffic areas and paper towels to keep everyone easily clean.

Preparing to welcome others home for the holidays might look a little different this year, but we have a feeling that it will feel even more special than all other years combined. Have a safe and happy holiday visit, everyone!