Because nothing motivates home improvement quite like people pulling into your driveway while you’re still hiding mail under couch cushions.

Thanksgiving is magical. Family. Food. Gratitude. And—let’s be honest—an annual reminder that your house has been quietly deteriorating while you’ve been living your life.

But if you’re hosting this year, don’t panic. You don’t need a full remodel. You just need your home to look like you made a respectable, semi-adult attempt at preparing for Thanksgiving guests.

Here’s your mobile-friendly, skimmable checklist of 10 quick home fixes that instantly make your space feel warm, intentional, and just chaotic enough to be relatable.

✅ 1. Tighten Loose Handles & Knobs

Your guests will open cabinets. It’s human nature.
A quick screwdriver twist makes it look like your home is held together by something sturdier than hope and DoorDash receipts.

✅ 2. Replace Burnt-Out Light Bulbs

Nothing ages a room faster than that bulb that burned out in April and has now become wall art.
Warm bulbs = cozy lighting.
Cozy lighting = “Wow, your home feels so inviting,”
(guest code for: “Thank you for hiding the dust with ambiance.”)

✅ 3. Clear the Entryway

Your entry sets the tone. And right now, the tone might be:
“I drop everything here and then forget I own it.”
Clear the shoes. Hide the mail. Pretend you live a curated life.

✅ 4. Put Out the Nice Towels

Not the towels with mysterious backstory.
Not the ones the dog claims.
THE towels. You know the ones.

✅ 5. Give the Sink and Faucet a Two-Minute Shine

A shiny faucet tricks guests into believing the entire kitchen is clean.
It’s optical-illusion housekeeping.
Just pray no one opens the oven.

✅ 6. Declutter Every Flat Surface

Your home is not a museum… but it does display a stunning exhibit called Things I Meant to Put Away.
The 48-hour rule saves lives:
If you haven’t used it in two days → drawer.
Doesn’t fit in a drawer → closet.
Doesn’t fit in the closet → January Janelle will handle it.

✅ 7. Make the House Smell Warm (But Not Like You’re Covering Something)

A little seasonal warmth goes a long way:
– Light candle
– Simple simmer pot
– Diffuser that whispers, not yells
Avoid anything that suggests “I’m masking a situation.”

✅ 8. Fix Squeaky Doors

Nothing ruins cozy vibes faster than a door shrieking like it’s haunted.
One swipe of oil = instant peace and a slightly less “Victorian ghost energy” home.

✅ 9. Stock the Guest Bathroom

Save everyone from shouting “WHERE’S THE SOAP?!” down the hallway.
Provide the basics:
✔ Toilet paper
✔ Hand towel
✔ Soap
✔ Trash can
✔ Pleasant smell
Optional: Close the shower curtain. They don’t need to see where shampoo bottles go to retire.

✅ 10. Do the 5-Minute Floor Sweep

You’re not aiming for perfection.
You’re aiming for “no crumbs that look like evidence.”
A quick vacuum or sweep makes everything feel calmer and instantly guest-ready.

✨ Bonus Wisdom: Lower Your Standards (More… More… There.)

Your home doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to feel warm, lived-in, and welcoming. If all else fails, distract them with pie. No one critiques while eating pie.

Thinking of Selling After the Holidays?

These quick fixes aren’t just guest-approved — they’re buyer-approved, too.
If you’d love a personalized pre-listing checklist or a gentle walkthrough to help you prepare for a winter or spring move, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

📞 Call or text: (209) 401-9912
🏡 Janelle Louanne Foyil, REALTOR®
DRE #02026277
Gold Rush Realty Group | Jackson, CA