Now that you’ve decided to host a Christmas Open House for your neighbors, it’s time to deck the halls with boughs of holly – but don’t worry, you’ll still be jolly when you’re done!
The secret to hosting a successful Open House is extravagant hospitality… not extreme entertaining.
Focus on your honored guests, not a glowing home. Preparing your heart takes precedence over cleaning your house.
Pray for your neighbors
Pray for open doors, open minds and open schedules. Pray that you will be brave enough to knock on the door of their home and their heart. Pray that your neighbors will be even braver, brave enough to let you in.
“We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Pick a date and time
Look for an open time slot on your calendar in December. Didn’t find one? Me neither! That’s OK: we’re just going to have to create one. We will probably have to say no to something in order to say yes to our neighbors. There is no perfect date or time, so just pick one that works for you and your family. I’m hosting my Christmas Open House in early December on a Tuesday or Thursday night from 7-8:30PM.
Pass out invitations
Print these adorable invitations on cardstock, then cut them to size – they print three per page to save you paper and ink. There are two versions, so only print the page you want: one invites your neighbors to create a Christmas countdown craft (also available below), the other does not have the craft.
Deliver your invitations one to three weeks before your Open House. If you can deliver them in person, that’s wonderful. If you only have time to leave them at the door, that’s fine, too! Attaching a simple Christmas ornament or a few pieces of hard candy in a clear bag is a nice touch.
- Click here or here to see a Open House invitation transformed into a small gift.
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Printable Christmas Open House Invitations
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Printable Christmas Countdown Craft
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Prepare your home
“If you are an entertainer, you appreciate the thoughtfulness, talent, time, effort, and expense it can require. Entertaining looks good, smells good, and feels good. Entertaining is picture-perfect and Pinterest-worthy. “Hospitality, on the other hand, can happen in a messy house. It can happen over store-bought cookies with mismatched paper plates—thank you, Lord! The root of the word hospitality is the same as the words hospital and hospice. It is from the Latin for “guest.” To practice hospitality is to nurture, strengthen, and serve your guests so that they leave your home physically, spiritually, and emotionally strengthened. If you’ve ever been treated to lavish hospitality, you can’t remember a thing you ate or what the house looked like—but you remember delightful laughter, deep conversations, and disarming authenticity.” From How to Love Your Neighbor Without Being Weird by Amy Lively, available May 2015Unleash your inner Martha… then stop fretting and enjoy your guests. Here are some housekeeping tips from my upcoming book -
Front porch and entryway
- Sweep sidewalk and porch
- Shake out the doormat
- Clean glass door
- Put away any clutter that was abandoned at the front door
Living room
- Put away anything that doesn’t belong (even if you have to temporarily stash it in trash bags or laundry baskets)
- Fold blankets and straighten magazines, discard old newspapers
- Knock down any cobwebs along the ceiling or light fixtures
- Polish furniture
- Clean glass surfaces and pictures
- Vacuum upholstery and flip cushions
- Sweep or vacuum floors; mop hardwood floors
Kitchen
- Put away unnecessary clutter and dishes
- Wipe cabinets, stovetop, and appliances
- Dust any knickknacks and clean small countertop appliances
- Scour the sink
- Clean floors
- Wipe down the kitchen table and chairs
Bathroom
- Put away personal items like toothbrushes, combs, and brushes
- Clean mirror
- Clean sink and countertop
- Clean toilet
- Empty wastebaskets
- Provide ample toilet paper and offer paper towels for drying hands
General tips
- Wipe the switch plates, doorknobs, and doorjambs to instantly brighten a room
- Don’t use overpowering scents for your guests who are sensitive to strong odors
- Have a plan for overly friendly or unfriendly pets
Pick up a few supplies
FOOD: Check out our Neighborhood Cafe recipes, or put out a few of your favorite Christmas cookies. Or, make some slice-n-bake treats and call it a day! I use paper plates, plastic silverware, disposable cups and paper napkins, and I serve coffee, tea, water, and hot or cold cider. Simple is essential!
CRAFT: If you’re doing the Christmas countdown craft, you’ll need a few items you may even have around the house. Check out this blog with step-by-step instructions and illustrations for making the craft.
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Printable Christmas Open House Invitations
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Printable Christmas Countdown Craft
Party time!
Put Martha away, and remember the real reason for your Open House: to meet, greet and treat your neighbors. Be completely ready at least 30 minutes before the time you’ve told your guests. Pray right up until the doorbell rings! Take time with your family to pray over each guest who may grace you with their presence. Ask your guests to sign a Guest List so you don’t forget new neighbors’ names (here’s a free Guest List printable!).
Since this is an Open House, your guests may arrive at any time during the time you specified. some guests may stay the entire time while others may leave after saying hello. Think about a few ice-breakers you may sprinkle into conversation with your neighbors. These questions aren’t intrusive but can get people talking:
- What’s your favorite Christmas carol? cookie? movie?
- Where did you spend holidays as a child?
- Do you stay up to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve?
- What’s the best gift you’ve ever given? received?
- Do you enjoy participating in or watching winter sports like ice skating, sledding, skiing?
Before you do the dishes or gather abandoned coffee cups, jot down a few notes about each guest so you don’t forget anything you’ve learned about your neighbors.