Being prepared for the inevitable spill, spot or stain will help you breathe a little easier as little Suzie trots around the house with a cup of red punch

The next couple weeks of holiday festivities are sure to bring fun, merriment and most likely wreak havoc on your home. There’s sure to be a wine spot on the carpet, mud on the floor, Christmas tree pine needles everywhere and a half-eaten candy cane stuck to the couch.
Sometimes it’s tough to let the good times roll when they’re rolling all over the house you just painstakingly cleaned and decorated. But being prepared for the inevitable spill, spot or stain will help you breathe a little easier as little Suzie trots around the house with a cup of red punch.
·         Club soda: It’s an oldie, but a goodie. Have a bottle or two of club soda on hand for spills on carpet, furniture or clothing. The carbonation in the club soda helps lift the stain so you can carefully blot it out.
·         Be sure to take care of stains as quickly as possible. The longer they sit, the harder they are to remove.
·         Don’t be afraid to give guests a few boundaries. Try to keep them in the dining area or set up tables and chairs in the family room so guests are contained to one room and not wandering the house.
·         Plan for kids. Provide cups with lids for little ones or set up a children’s table where the kids can eat.
·         Put welcome mats outside and inside the door so guests can wipe their feet. If you feel comfortable, you could always ask guests to remove their shoes.
·         Roll ‘em up. If you have a particularly valuable rug, think about moving it for the party. Then you don’t have to worry about mud or coffee stains.
·         Hang prized Christmas ornaments high on the tree or put your grandma’s nativity scene on the mantle where it’s less likely to have a mishap. Nothing ruins a party like a broken holiday tradition – even though it’s an accident.
·         Don’t go crazy with your cleaning. It’s tempting to want your house to sparkle and shine before guests arrive, but they’ll be so busy munching on cookies and eggnog, they won’t be giving the baseboards the white glove test. Make sure the house is neat and tidy, but remember you’ll have to give it a scrub after the guests go home.
Other suggestions for helping your home survive the holidays?