Avoiding Common Holiday Hosting Disasters

New Year’s Eve is tomorrow (can that be right?!).  If you’re getting ready to host your own celebration here in Bryan/College Station, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you.  Here are a few tips on avoiding common holiday hosting disasters.

HOW TO AVOID…

Oven Failure – While there are many reasons that an oven quits working (which can be a major disaster when you have guests coming and nothing but a microwave oven to cook with), one of the most common reasons is also one that is easy to avoid.  Hold off on self-cleaning your oven until AFTER the new year celebrations are over.  Most of the time, there is no issue when it comes to cleaning your oven.  However, you DO run the risk of blowing a fuse or the thermostat (common sources of oven failure problems).  Good luck tracking down a repairman at this time of the year.

Kitchen Sink Clogs – A backed up drain can be a real pain.  For some reason, it seems that common sense tends to fly out the window in direct proportion to how busy we get during the holidays.  Avoid clogging up the sink and having to call in a plumber by disposing of fats and cooking oils in an empty coffee can or jar instead of pouring them down the sink.  Make sure the garbage disposal works BEFORE you put anything in it by running it for a couple of seconds first.  Never put potato peels or chicken/turkey skin down the disposal.  If a clog does happen, snaking the drain is much more reliable than using harsh chemicals.  So, keep one on hand.

Heat Going Out – It can get really chilly on New Year’s Eve here in Bryan/College Station, even with several warm bodies in the house.  You don’t want your guests shivering while they shimmy to the music.  Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help avoid this problem.  It is recommended that you replace your air filter every three months to help keep it in tip-top working condition.  Also, make sure the insulation on your refrigerant lines are intact.

Toilet Backs Up – The bathroom gets a bit of extra use during the holidays, especially when you are hosting parties.  Make sure that the only things going down the drain are toilet paper and sewage.  Feminine hygene products, paper towels and even cigarettes can back up the drain, especially if you have a low-flow toilet.  Leaving a small, simple reminder note for your guests wouldn’t hurt, either.

Refrigerator Won’t Cool – Next to the oven, the refrigerator is the most important tool in the kitchen for any party host.  That’s where many of your menu items are stored before and/or after preparation for safe-keeping from germs and bacteria.  To avoid a last-minute fridge failure, purchase a thermometer to make sure the interior temperature stays below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  Dust, dirt and debris can build up easily and quickly around the condenser coils and underneath the fridge.  So, make sure to unplug and move the fridge so that you can get the floor underneath and the coils behind completely cleaned.

Take some of the stress out of your holiday festivities in Bryan/College Station by avoiding the common holiday hosting disasters above.  A little preparation can go a long way to making everyone (including yourself) comfortable during your New Year’s holiday celebration.  However you celebrate, make sure you stay safe and be responsible.  Happy New Year!

Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan – College Station Real Estate