1. ENTERTAIN WITH EASE
BE PREPARED FOR
HOLIDAY STAINS
‘Tis SPILLS HAPPEN –
the season for inviting friends and
family into your home to share
in holiday celebrations. Holiday STAY AHEAD OF THEM
No matter how careful guests are, spills are bound to
favorites like eggnog, cranberry sauce, red wine and
happen. And, the holiday foods and drinks that we love are
pumpkin pie are delicious – but are also notorious for all worthy adversaries when it comes to your furniture and
causing stains. Don’t let the fear of holiday spills stop floors. A little planning will prevent holiday mishaps from
turning into expensive-to-remove, long-term stains.
you from hosting a holiday celebration. With a little
bit of party prep, you can put your mind at ease. • Check the care guide and warranty on your
upholstered furniture and flooring. If you can’t
find them in your home, look online. Follow the
“When you have visitors, you want them to feel as
manufacturer’s advice for treating spills and stains or
comfortable as possible and that means you need you may invalidate your warranty.
to feel comfortable as well,” says Franny Andahazy,
• Assemble a stain-prevention first aid kit. Many common
Executive Designer of Party by Design, a creative
household products will help you tackle fresh spills and
event company out of Boston, Massachusetts. “The stop them from becoming permanent blemishes. Your
benefit of planning ahead and being prepared is that kit should include clear dishwashing detergent, a spot
removal solvent, white vinegar, white dishtowels or
you can relax and enjoy your guests. After all, if you
rags and plain white paper towels. Keep these supplies
aren’t having fun, chances are – neither are they.” together so you can quickly grab what you need.

2. QUICK GUIDE FOR :
BE PREPARED
COMMON OFFENDERS
Wine, coffee, cranberry sauce, chocolate and juices are
1
known for their stain-causing ability. Don’t let the fear of
spills stop you from serving these holiday favorites. If a
Six things yo
Che
u can do to pr
ck your carpet
event perman
and furniture
ent stains.
warranty
s to learn the
2
spill happens, it’s best to tackle it right away.
• Use a cloth or white paper towels to soak up any
excess liquid
1 and manufac
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d methods of
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33
• Mix 1/2 teaspoon of clear dishwashing detergent with
1-cup of warm water on hand
prevent
• Using a clean white cloth or unprinted paper towels, thways to help
slowly blot the stain from the outside edges in Create clear pa
bles
trips and stum
• For stubborn stains that may have had time to set,
you may need to follow the detergent solution with
white vinegar 44 Rem ove knickkna
place to
cks so guests
safely put drin
have a
k cups and pl
ates
55
• Rinse the vinegar away by blotting again with warm
on as they
up spills as so
water Act fast – soak
happen
• Absorb any remaining moisture with paper towels or
a clean cloth prevent spills
outside in to
ork from the
6 6 W
g
Greasy stains are more tricky to remove and sometimes from spreadin
require specialty cleaning supplies.
• Apply a spot cleaning solvent made for clothes
• Using a damp towel; blot the stain
• Repeat as necessary
• Remove the cleaning solvent by blotting with a clean
towel dampened with water
• Absorb any remaining moisture with paper towels or
a clean cloth
SPOT PREVENTION
FIRST AID KIT
+
Keep these supplies on hand and you’ll be
ready for almost any party accident.
✓ Clear dishwashing detergent
✓ Spot removal solvent made for clothes
✓ White vinegar
✓ Club soda
✓ White dishtowel or cloth
✓ White, unprinted paper towels

3. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE
HOLIDAY PARTY PLANNING 101
Inspect holiday linens, serving dishes and glassware well Create a party theme – and ask your guests to adopt it.
in advance of your party. Items that have been sitting in For instance, if your theme is “Silver and Gold” use ribbon
storage probably need freshening, not to mention making and wrapping paper as table runners and decorative accents.
sure they were properly cleaned last year. Then, ask your guests to dress in silver and gold to help
bring the theme to life.
Consider renting. Many party supply companies will rent
linens, plates, glassware and flatware to private party hosts Stock up early. Shop for non-perishable items like wine, mixers,
and hostesses. You can also rent additional seating and non-alcoholic and other beverages early. Make your shopping
tables if needed. The best part? They take care of doing the easier by selecting a signature drink for the event and serve
dishes and storing everything until the next year! only that.
Do a walk-through. Start at your front door and Accept offers of help. Many guests will offer
try to view your home as if seeing it for the to bring something or help in another
first time. Eliminate anything that may trip-
Whether way in appreciation of your willingness
up a party guest or cause inconvenience. you’re a first-time to host a party. By all means, say yes.
Let your artist friend help with décor.
Place a festive throw rug in your entry
party planner or an Know a florist? Let them create flower
way. These easily washable items create old pro, this simple guide arrangements. And, make sure you give
a joyful atmosphere and are great at credit to your party helpers to show
preventing snow and mud from getting
will help you kick off your appreciation.
tracked through your home. the party-planning
Keep it cool. Put beverages in a cooler on your
Increase lighting in high traffic areas. It
season. back porch to keep them cool. If the weather is
will help your guests see where they are going, cool enough, you won’t even need ice!
which will help prevent accidents and spills.
Fill the air with holiday scents. If you’re not using your
Move furniture. Create clear pathways so party-goers can stove, simmer a cinnamon stick and cloves in a pot of water
easily mix and mingle without having to bump into other on your stove – or purchase a mixture for that purpose from
furniture or each other. Make sure you move furniture far your local kitchen supply or candle store.
enough in advance to clean up any dust bunnies that you
uncover. Also, eliminate carpet indentations by spraying The holidays are a time for celebrating with family and
with water and lifting the crushed pile with a grooming friends. Planning ahead for a festive gathering – and
brush (available at your carpet store). preparing for the unexpected surprises those gatherings can
bring – will make this season truly one to enjoy for any party
Remove knickknacks from tabletops and shelves. Not host or hostess.
only will it prevent breakage of your favorite treasurers, but
it will also give your guests additional flat surfaces on which
to set drinks and plates.