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" Focus on First Impressions Forget the living room for a moment, and fix up what guests will see immediately: your doorway and its surroundings. Sweep away leaves on the front step, cobwebs around the doorbell, and any autumn detritus in the corners of the porch. Shake out the doormat. In your entryway, gather all signs of everyday life \u2014 mail, toys, shoes \u2014 and stash them in a shopping bag that can disappear into a closet. Check lightbulbs (porch and foyer) \u2014 any burnouts? Replace them now before you get busy and forget again. Quickie Decorate Resurrect a planter or two from your summer garden (remove those dead impatiens first), set them beside the front door, and put in some mums. Or pile in assorted pumpkins, gourds, and fall leaves. Create Guest Space Don&amp;#039;t wait until folks are in the front hall to discover (yet again) that your coat closet is already jam-packed. Thanksgiving morning, temporarily move the bulk of your family&amp;#039;s gear to a back bedroom; now you can accommodate visitors&amp;#039; jackets and wet or icy boots \u2014 a spare doormat on the floor of the closet makes a perfect landing spot. If it&amp;#039;s raining, have an umbrella stand handy, or just grab a wastebasket from another room, line it with a plastic bag, and place in the vicinity. Gather &amp;#039;Round This is a time to reconnect with loved ones. Make it easier by rearranging the chairs in your living room so friends and family can talk instead of facing the TV. If the crowd is football obsessed, they can easily move chairs back into prime viewing position after the big meal. Be Superficial Skip the heavy bathroom cleanup and focus on what visitors may notice. Squirt toilet cleanser in the bowl; while it&amp;#039;s working, set out fresh soap and a guest hand towel (use the regular one to wipe the countertop and faucet, then toss it in the laundry). Give the bowl and rim a quick swish; flush, and get out of there. Cool Off the House An hour or two before people start arriving, turn down the thermostat a couple of degrees so that they (and you!) won&amp;#039;t overheat once everyone&amp;#039;s packed in and the oven is in high gear. Light Up \u2014 Safely Candles lend a lovely soft glow, but if they&amp;#039;re in non-dinner-table spots (like a hallway, the mantel, or a bathroom), they need careful watching. One alternative is flameless votive candles. They cost $5.95 for two votives or less than $10 for six tealights on batteryoperatedcandles.net. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17451/make-your-home-welcoming/>