Having friends and family stay over during the holidays can be a joyous and memorable occasion.

Managing all the preparations and ensuring a delightful experience for all your overnight guests? Not as much. Fortunately, there are a variety of products available that can simplify the hosting process and help you create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Pressure cooker or slow cooker

You may have to prepare multiple meals for your guests throughout their stay, a task that can be done a little easier with a pressure cooker or slow cooker. These appliances streamline the meal-prep process since you usually just need to add in the ingredients and walk away. Whether you’re cooking large batches of soup or a mouthwatering pot roast, an Instant Pot or Crockpot can handle it effortlessly. By reducing your time spent cooking, you can prepare delicious meals more efficiently and enjoy more time with your guests.

Programmable coffee maker

As coffee is a necessity for many people to help them start their mornings on the right foot, you’ll want to have a coffee maker that can brew multiple cups at once. If you only have a single-serve machine, consider getting a traditional drip coffee maker like this one from Hamilton Beach. With its programmable feature, you can prep your grounds and water in the evening and set it to brew in the morning, allowing your guests to wake up to a steaming cup of coffee. You may also want to consider getting a variety of syrups and creamers so they can customize their beverages to their liking.

Smart home devices

AI-driven smart home devices, such as the Amazon Echo or Google Nest Hub, can be your ultimate holiday helpers. With voice control and the ability to automate tasks, manage your calendar, and control other smart devices around your home, they can help make hosting that much simpler. Order last-minute gifts, create a schedule for turning on and off your interior and exterior lights, play festive tunes while you hang out with your guests, and arm your home’s security system to ensure everyone’s safety. You can also use these devices to search for recipes, find answers to inquiries from curious youngsters, and play interactive games and trivia, adding a fun and tech-savvy element to your guests’ holiday experience.

Robotic vacuum cleaner

Maintaining a tidy home during the holidays can be a challenge, especially with the increased foot traffic. A robotic vacuum cleaner is a game changer, taking care of the floor-cleaning process while you focus on entertaining your guests. This handy device can navigate through your home efficiently, picking up dust, crumbs, and pet hair to leave your floors spotless. Some models, like this one from Shark, even have built-in mopping capabilities so your floors remain sparkling clean.

Eco-friendly plates

No one wants to deal with a sink full of dishes during the holidays, which can make it tempting to reach for disposable options. Fortunately for you and Mother Nature, there are biodegradable choices available. This tableware from EcoSoul, for instance, are compostable yet sturdy enough to handle even the bulkiest of holiday meals. By selecting eco-friendly options, you can cut down on your time spent in front of the sink while also still caring for the planet and reducing your carbon footprint.

A collection of games

When you have guests staying with you for multiple days, you’ll want to have activities planned to help fill the time and stave off boredom. One of the best ways to do this is by collecting games to play with your company throughout their visit. You could invest in a deck or two of cards for some basic fun, but for more elaborate and engaging entertainment, consider board games like Clue, Codenames, and Villainous. After all, there’s nothing like a little friendly competition to liven up an evening.

Hosting visitors during the holidays should be a time of joy and celebration rather than a source of stress. By incorporating these essential items into your routine, you can simplify tasks, save time, and focus on making cherished memories with your loved ones.