Holiday Cleaning 101:
5 Tips for Festive Success

Holiday Host Cleaning 101.

Got guests coming over for Christmas dinner? Or for the first night of Hanukkah? Maybe you're having a festive cocktail party.

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Whatever the soiree, you won't want to wait 'till the guests RSVP to begin your home cleaning preparations.

Here are 5 simple tasks you can check off your list now so you can be cool, calm and collected when you open the door later this season.

1 Silver prep.

Get out the silver utensils, serving dishes and candlesticks and give them a good buffing and polishing.

2 Check the china and crystal.

Save time in the days before your party by getting the party china and crystal out now and sending it for a spin in the dishwasher several days or weeks before the big event.

Then you don't have to worry about spots and dust when you're setting the table.

Most modern china and crystal is dishwasher safe - as long as you load carefully so that pieces can't clank against each other and potentially crack or break.

If you have any reservations about whether a treasured piece is dishwasher-safe, test wash one piece before filling the racks with the entire set.

Hand-wash heirloom china and crystal and pieces trimmed in gold or silver. Older party plates, cups and china generally can't tolerate the extreme heat, leading to trim and painted-on designs fading or even disappearing altogether.

3 Launder holiday linens.

Inspect and clean your festive festive table cloths, runners, napkins and placemats.

4 Make room for your guests' outwear by clearing out as much as you can from the coat closet.

Place a coat rack for over-coats and wraps; position a wicker basket nearby where guests can shake-off rain- or snow-drizzled umbrellas, gloves, and the like.

By creating places to place guests' items as the walk in your door, you'll be able to quickly stash the items safely - without taking time away from your guests.

5 Prepare the fireplace for a hot night ahead.

Clean the hearth, fireplace screen or door and tools.

Have wood and matches or fireplace lighter at the ready so no precious planning time will be lost setting the mood.