Lifestyle Holidays & Occasions How to Prep Your Home for Thanksgiving Houseguests, According to an Expert By Claire Stern Claire Stern Claire Stern is the Deputy Editor of ELLE.com. Previously, she served as Editor at Bergdorf Goodman and was the Associate Editor at InStyle. Her interests include fashion, food, travel, music, Peloton, and The Hills—not necessarily in that order. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on November 21, 2017 @ 12:15PM Pin Share Tweet Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images As the founder and CEO of Parachute Home, the bedding and home brand known for its crisp, lightweight sheets, Ariel Kaye knows a thing or two about hosting overnight guests—and making sure they sleep soundly. Because we can always count on Thanksgiving to throw us unexpected curveballs in the form of last-minute guests, plus ones, and a barrage of family drama, it's always a good idea to make sure your house is prepared for anything the day has in store. Herewith, Kaye's concise guide to being a hostess with the mostest. 01 of 08 FILL YOUR HOME WITH FLOWERS. Courtesy Buy Now "Displaying fresh flowers around the house is always a nice touch. My new go-to for ordering blooms is Farmgirl Flowers. During the holidays, I get extra festive by incorporating seasonal colors and adding berries or pine to my arrangements." 02 of 08 MAKE SURE THE BEDS ARE WELL-MADE. Courtesy Buy Now "A well-made bed is the most important thing you can offer your houseguests. Freshly laundered sheets and an extra quilt will ensure a comfortable night's sleep. I also like to add three to four pillows of varying firmness—guests love to have options!" 03 of 08 LET THEM DRINK TEA. Courtesy Buy Now "I leave out an array of tea for my guests, always including chamomile from Traditional Medicinal. It's rich in calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals that naturally loosen muscles and calm the body after a day of travel." 04 of 08 REFRESH YOUR GUEST BATHROOM. Courtesy Buy Now "To pamper my friends and family, I place a beautiful almond soap from Santa Maria Novella in the bathroom. It's moisture-rich and smells divine—your guests will feel like they've checked into a Italian hotel." 05 of 08 INVEST IN BEAUTIFUL DINNERWARE. Courtesy Buy Now "Instead of a formal, sit-down dinner with visitors, my best gatherings have been the ones where we serve food buffet-style. I set out my Heath Ceramics dinnerware and allow everyone to serve themselves. People are rarely able to arrive at the same time—especially during the holidays—so this creates a laid-back vibe." 06 of 08 HAVE COFFEE AT THE READY. Courtesy Buy Now "Have fresh beans and a coffee maker for your guests to help themselves in the morning. I recommend a local roaster so your visitors can discover a new brand. Canyon Coffee is a small L.A. business, and they source the best certified organic beans. I set it alongside a coffee brewer with a tip sheet on how to operate, just in case." 07 of 08 OFFER ALTERNATIVE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. Courtesy Buy Now "Bike riding is one of my favorite ways to get around my Venice neighborhood. I keep two Linus bikes available at the house so that guests can explore at their leisure. A sunset cruise along the boardwalk is the perfect way to end the day—just don't forget to leave them a trusty bike lock, too." 08 of 08 STOCK UP YOUR NIGHTSTAND. Courtesy Buy Now "I leave an eye mask and ear plugs on the nightstand for my guests. You want to make sure your friends and family sleep well so they can start their days feeling their very best."