Holidays make for hectic homes. With family and friends coming in and out, overnight guests staying for days at a time and holiday celebrations going on, it's hard enough to keep up with it all, much less keep your home comfortable and welcoming for all who spend time there. Here are some tips for keeping everyone in your home as comfortable as possible over the holidays -- including you.

__Make your home guest-ready.__ A clean home is a happy home -- and a reflection on you. Take a few moments to walk through your home before guests arrive. Check the bathrooms to make sure they're well-stocked. Add a few extra hangers to your closet. Remove excess clutter. Taking a few minutes to tidy up before guests arrive will mean that much less you'll have to clean after the party.

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__Set the tone at the front door.__ Your home's first impression starts at the front door. Once people get past your home's exterior holiday decorations, make sure the interior also extends an inviting atmosphere. Appeal to their senses by creating sights, sounds and aromas that evoke comfort, such as soft, cozy lighting, a crackling fire in the fireplace and the smell of simmering cider on the stove.

__Welcome guests with festive holiday music.__ Few things say "happy holidays" like the tunes that define the season. Tune into one of the stations in your area that plays holiday music 24/7 from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Or download some favorites onto your iPod and let the music waft throughout your home.

__Keep the cupboards well-stocked.__ With weeks of household activities, everyone needs energy to keep going. Keep a variety of grab-and-go snacks on hand that require no preparation: a big bowl of oranges and bananas, refrigerated snacks like individual sized yogurt or cheese sticks and protein-packed options like granola or jerky. Keep bagels, peanut butter, jam and cream cheese on hand. Set up a help-yourself coffee station offering a holiday coffee blend, flavored creamers and mugs; keep the coffee maker pre-filled and ready to brew.

__Bask in a beautiful bathroom.__ Make your bathroom a haven from the hectic holiday for everyone in the house. Set out hand soaps, lotions and shampoos with pleasant seasonal scents, like apple orchard, spiced pumpkin, cranberry or ever-popular evergreen. Fill a basket with fun bathtub toys for visiting little ones. Replace worn out towels with fluffy new ones. Add a holiday-themed night light in the hallway so people can safely make their way to the bathroom during the night.

__Stow away a few extra gifts for unexpected guests.__ It happens every year. Someone stops by to deliver an unexpected holiday gift and you haven't included that person on your gift list. Whether it's a box of special chocolates or scented candles, you'll be prepared for any occasion by having extra gifts on-hand.

__Take time to savor the special moments and memories.__ There is no perfect holiday gathering, so remember to laugh and love and move on. Advanced planning will help you survive some of the usual holiday entertaining stresses, but learning to let the little things go can go a long way to helping you see this time together is precious.