Check out how we did our first big clean in the new house, and how I got the studio Halloween party ready.
*Bona sponsored this post, but all thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible.
If you caught my Retro Blue Christmas Living Room, and my Upcycled Bar Cabinet, you’ll know that we’ve been gearing up to party for a while now. Dan only just got home, but I’ve spent the fall decorating the house and setting the scene for our perfect entertaining space.
Catch my 6 tips for Hosting The Best Christmas Party
We also have the bar in the rumpus room, but that’s not ready for guests yet, so we’ll mainly be upstairs, hence all the bar setups!
Cleaning Before the Party
No surprise here, but floor are a big tell-all when walking into someone’s home. You can see how far they make it into their homes before taking off their shoes, whether or not the cat walks around with freshly littered feet, and where the dog goes once he’s come in from playing in the snow.
You can also see the dust, dirt and pet hair that lingers from everyday use. Basically, if you want to avoid the knowing glances, clean your floors and vacuum your carpets before a party.
Our Bona hardwood mop and cleaning products make the job quick and easy. I used the duster to catch all the pet hair and dust first, and then followed-up with the mop pad with their specialized cleaning formula.
The swivel head makes it easy to get the mop around fancy hairpin legs, or around the Christmas tree skirt and gifts. It’s kinda perfect eh?
I even bought the tile and laminate refile cartridge (for the Bona Hardwood Floor Mop Motion®) so that I could clean the entryway slate tile. It’s taken a beating this fall with all the work I’ve had going on, so I was happy to put it back to new.
But, since I’m not quite ready to photograph and showcase that space yet, you’ll have to take my word for it. I’ll show it off on Instagram if you ask nicely though!
Setting up a bar for your Christmas Party
Now that the big stuff is out of the way, it’s time to set-up for the party! I start with the bar. It’s usually where the action happens, and it’s a great way to incorporate some decor into a utilitarian situation.
In my basic bar set-up I’ve always got:
- an ice bucket (full of ice)
- basic bar tools (like a strainer, a bottle opener, and a bottle opener)
- various cups and glasses (lowball, highball, and a wine glass)
- fresh citrus for garnishes
- and of course an offering to the party gods – in this case Whiskey Peppermint Mocha Cream (to make Frozen Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolates)
I’ve also added some candy canes, Santa hats, and fun ornaments, because why not!
You’ll also notice one of my DIY Party Awards (the VW van), which I fully intend to hand over to whoever travelled the furthest to attend our party.
Throw a Gift Wrapping Party this holiday season
I’ve also carefully wrapped a few gifts for our guests, and placed them under the tree. That way, when the energy of the party naturally lulls, I’ve got something for people to do. If you want some awesome gift wrapping ideas, tips, tricks or techniques, you should totally check out my IGTV channel for those videos, or just host a gift wrapping party beforehand and get all that done then.
*look at those sparkly floors* No judging me with the babies!
Stock your bar cabinet with the essentials
You guys know I have a cocktail series right? That pretty much means our home bar is always well stocked. I’ve got a variety of whiskeys, scotches and bourbons, as well as gins and a good vodka. Add in some bitters for flavour, and you’ve got one heck of a tickle trunk for the discerning palate.
Catch my Upcycled Bar Cabinet DIY
While you’re at it, add a snowglobe to your bottle collection. It will catch the light just as nicely, and it’s a fun seasonal touch. If you can’t add silly things to you bar cabinet at Christmas, when can you?!
Catch the tutorial for my Hand Painted Mini Nutcrackers
So there you have it! Our living room is now prepped and ready for our Christmas party! And the best part, it was easy peasy. Make sure you grab a Bona Hardwood Floor Mop Motion® for yourself, so that your own hardwoods can shine!
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