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  • Immune Support for your Holiday Guests

    Immune Support for your Holiday Guests

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias and its Advertiser. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone and should not be construed as medical advice. #24HourEsterC #CollectiveBias

    I have this hope that family will want to come visit us for the holidays. Of course since we’re the ones that moved, we will probably do more of the traveling and visiting, but I’m pretty sure my family loves us enough to come visit. I had a hard time when we first moved to North Dakota, with the climate change. Vitamin C has since become my best friend.  
    No one wants to take chances with their immune system, especially on vacation. With holiday travel approaching, I want to make sure you’re prepped to make your guests feel at home while supporting their health. 

    A Place To Sleep

    First off, you do not need to have an extra room just for guests. If you do have a spare room in your house, awesome! I have a feeling more of you are like me though, and your house is the right size for your family. When I stayed with my brother this summer, I slept in my nephews room, and he had a campout in his siblings room. For young kids, this makes for great memories! When we have company visit, we’ll do the same, and let our son sleep in his sisters room (or our bed, since he tends to prefer that most nights anyway). 

    Clean Bedding

    Have a set of sheets specifically used for guests. It’s a lot cheaper to put fresh sheets on a bed, then to keep an extra bed in a room that rarely gets used. If you have some extra blankets as well (and I have tons, thanks to my Grandma’s lifetime of quilt making) put on a fresh blanket to make the room look like it’s just for them. 

    Furniture Arrangement

    Look at the furniture arrangement. What may be ideal for your child, might not be the best arrangement for your guest. I moved Little Prince’s dresser over next to the bed for a more “hotel” look. This also opened up a space to bring in an extra chair, giving guests a place to relax separate from our crazy days. 

    Gift Basket for Guests

    Finally put together a little guest basket to let them know you appreciate them visiting you. I like to think of this basket as the “hotel” basket. The basics you would get in a hotel, I want my guest to have. In my basket I’ve included fresh towels, as well as a laundry bag. The laundry bag allows my guest to put the used towels when they’re done, and letting me know they’re ready to get washed. Also included is soap, shampoo, tissues, a water bottle and Ester-C. When family visits I want them on top of their game so we can have lots of fun together! 
    Like I said, Vitamin C has been my game changer for living in North Dakota. The weather is pretty drastically different from Utah. I found Ester-C over at Walmart. It has helped me keep up with my busy lifestyle by giving me around the clock immune system support. Since most visitors I get will probably also be coming from Utah I want them to have the same support I get.

    As a little extra, to show my guests that I’m better than a hotel stay, I added a little treat plate with homemade caramels and hot chocolate as well. You know you want to come stay with me now right? I’ll keep you both happy and healthy so you can just relax and enjoy time away from your home. 

    Stay Connected

    Follow Ester-C for more tips on supporting your immune system

  • Tips for Hosting Christmas Dinner {Guest Post}

    Tips for Hosting Christmas Dinner {Guest Post}

    Hosting Your First Christmas Dinner? Your No Panic Guide

    Perhaps you were just married this past year, or maybe it’s your first year in your very own home, but whatever the case may be, Christmas will be held at your home this year, and excitement is echoing from wall to wall, but you’re also a little bit nervous. How can you prepare for this big event?

     

     

    Organized Lists

    Have a list of everything, so you aren’t in a frenzy on Christmas day, take note the exact location of all dishes (pantry, fridge or freezer), and write down the time that you want to prep them and/or put them in the oven to heat. Keep this little list in your pocket throughout the day, and you’ll always feel in control.

    Decorations

    Going overboard with decorations isn’t a must for holiday parties, but it’s nice to have at least some reminders of the holiday. Be sure to include a nativity in the decor setup to act as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Set up your Christmas tree in a spot where all of your guests will be able to see it beautifully decorated with a few gifts beneath its branches, have your favorite Christmas music playing softly in the background and warm scented candles (or to be on the safe side, plug-in room fresheners) to complete the cheerful holiday environment.

    The Final Preparations

    Make as much of the food in advance as you possibly can, but some items, such as gravy, generally need to be made on the spot. However, Christmas stroganoff, with exception of the noodles, generally freeze very well, so make items such as that a day or two before the Christmas party. Even the smallest of homes can be suited to accommodate a large number of people, so take some time to arrange the dining room, and this might involve moving tables around to different angles or setting up a children’s table in the kitchen. If enough seating isn’t available, consider having a buffet style meal, but don’t panic if it seems that space will be limited, because on Christmas, most people are bouncing from house to house, so people will be in and out.

    The Greeting

    When people come into your home, you want them to feel warm and welcome, so offer to take their coats, and hang them the attire up where they can see to avoid confusion when they’re preparing to leave. Laying them on a bed is an option; however, if you have pets that sit there, it’s best not to do so for allergy purposes. Once they have said hello to everyone, offer them a drink, tell them to make themselves at home and let them know where the food and the plates are, and don’t be shy about taking that first scoop of dip if you think it will get other people eating.
    Above all else, enjoy this very first Christmas in your home, and don’t stress, just do your best. Employ the help of your nieces and nephews who are always eager to help out, and give them a special treat at the end of the evening for helping, like a traditional chocolate orange or an iTunes gift card.

    Author Bio
    Melisa Cammack has been freelance writing for a number of years, married for 13 years, mother for seven years, and is the biggest Christmas enthusiast on this side of the equator.
    Melisa is currently promoting Five Star Holiday Décor and Christmas Lighting in Dallas, and would like to wish everyone a beautiful and happy holiday season!