12
EASY &
CHEAP
Christmas is around the corner,
followed closely by the New Year,
which means your home will
soon be full of holiday guests. As
tempting as it is to panic that your
house is hardly presentable for the
mailman to drop by, let alone the
infl ux of family and friends sure
to be knocking, fear not. We’ve put
together a list of affordable ideas to
get your home refreshed, organized
and ready for even your mother-in-
law’s approval.
Ways to
get your 1
home
ready for
the guests. 2
Bathroom
Replace old towels
If your towels are tattered and threadbare, this is your
excuse to replace them. You don’t need to go overboard
with pricey bath sheets, but a few new hand towels
in bold shades can brighten up your bathroom. Use your
current color scheme as a guide and choose one or two
complementary hues. Hang some towels on the rack, but
we also suggest placing an unused stool by the sink and
displaying a pile of neatly folded towels on top for easy
access and added elegance.
Clear the counter
One of the most important ways you can get your
home ready for guests this season is to clear your
counter of unnecessary items. A clean, uncluttered
countertop gives your bathroom an instant facelift and
makes your home look organized. A nice liquid soap and
hand cream should be the only things on the counter when
guests arrive, with the exception of simple decor items such
as candles or a dried fl ower arrangement (dried hydrangeas
are always beautiful). Place all other toiletries in small
baskets under the sink.