Hosting Holiday Parties When Your House is for Sale? Read This First!

If you’re the go-to for holidays, you’re probably wondering how you can pull it all off this year when your home is on the market. Fortunately, you can host Christmas dinner (or any other holiday celebration) at your home while your house is for sale if you use these tips.

How to Host Holiday Celebrations While Your House is for Sale

First things first: If you can get someone else to host your holiday festivities this year, it may be a good idea. You’ll have less work to do when it comes to decorating and clean-up. However, if you still want to have everyone over, these tips will help you pull it off seamlessly:

Ask people to bring more than you typically do
Go light on decorations (but make up for it in other ways)
Enlist guests’ help with cleanup
Send guests home with leftovers

Here’s a closer look at each.

Tip #1 for Hosting Holiday Celebrations While Your House is for Sale: Ask People to Bring More

Even if you’re a top chef who’s used to cooking for everyone, this year it’s a good idea to ask your guests to pitch in a little more. Assign each guest something to bring that makes it easier on you. Your guests will be thrilled to bring their signature dish to share, and you don’t have to worry about procuring ingredients, dirtying up pots and pans, or making a mess in the kitchen. The best things to outsource are sides and desserts.

Tip #2 for Hosting Holiday Celebrations While Your House is for Sale: Go Light on Decorations

Because your home is on the market, you could be subject to prospective buyers dropping by at any time – and your REALTOR® will most likely suggest that you take it easy on decorations this year anyway. People celebrate a wide range of holidays, and some prospective buyers may not have the same beliefs as you do; you want your home to reflect inclusivity and cheer. Opt for winter decor rather than holiday-specific decor, and only use a little of it so that the decorations don’t distract buyers from looking at your home’s features.

Tip #3 for Hosting Holiday Celebrations While Your House is for Sale: Enlist Guests’ Help With Cleanup

Most guests are happy to help with cleanup – especially if you mention that your house is on the market and you’re trying to keep it looking its best for prospective buyers who come to call. You can simply say, “Hey, can I get a hand with this?” Most people won’t turn you down.

Tip #4 for Hosting Holiday Celebrations While Your House is for Sale: Send Guests Home With Leftovers

Invest in a package of disposable to-go containers before your holiday party. When it’s time to package up the leftovers, distribute them to everyone so you’re not stuck with extra turkey, ham, sides and desserts that will take up space in your kitchen. If you want to go the extra mile, attach a decorative, printed recipe to each to-go container for the leftovers (like one of these for ham).

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Boca Raton?

Ready to sell your home quickly and at the right price? Find out how much your home is worth now!

If you’re looking for a new home in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach or Highland Beach, we can help. Use these popular one-click searches to find what you’re looking for:

Get Instant Access to Hot New Listings by Filling Out the Form Below