Company Kit

When company arrives on short notice, it can be difficult to have everything in order, clean the house, get yourself ready, prepare a meal, and all the other stuff associated with having company over. Here are some things to have ready in advance for these situations.

The kinds of things to keep in this kit - and it doen't have to be all in the same place, just be sure you know where the main kit is - would be a list of items in the kit and where they are (both for setting up and replenishing), a table cloth, center-piece, candles, music, etc. Here's a list to help you with your kit.

• List of items and where they are in the house. This will save you countless headaches and worries.
• A menu - this can change each time you use the kit if you like.
• List of items to get from the store. For example if you are going to make a salad, you might need to go to the store quickly and get lettuce, tomatoes, etc. This list should include everything you need, even those things you usually have available, salad dressing for example, then you can check to see that you have what you need before you go to the store. When you set up or replenish the kit, be sure to make a copy of this list, because when it's time to get ready you might want to check things off. While you're at the store, pick up some fresh cut flowers. This makes a great impression.
• A vase for the flowers.
• A ready made cake or pie in the freezer, date this so before it gets stale you use it - just remember to replace it, add a replacement to your shopping list as soon as you take it out of the freezer.
• A ready made meal in the freezer - something you can pop in the oven or microwave and not have to spend any more time preparing it. Realize that if you have enough time you don't have to use this, but for short notice this can be a life-saver. You could have a frozen lasagna, or pot roast, or some other ready made dish you've put together yourself. When you put this in the freezer, date it, so you can use it before it get's stale, and replace it when you do. Add it to your shopping list as soon as you take it out of the freezer.
• A table cloth.
• A center-piece, candles, etc.
• China, silverware, etc. It's ok if you will use your everyday plates and silverware if you don't have formal place settings, but it's a good idea to list everything so you don't have to think about it.
• Serving dishes and utensils.
• Music. It's better to have 2 copies of some music so that you don't have to go looking for that special mood music.
• Firewood for the fireplace. Don't forget the starter and matches - and don't rely on having them available, have some specific for this kit.
• Anything else you can think of.

Getting ready

OK, you've cleaned, got everything out of the kit, been to the store if needed, started the food cooking, etc. Now what?

Bathe, clean yourself up, get yourself in the right mood. Then, time the meal so it will be ready just as company arrives, if possible transfer that pre-made meal into serving dishes - this make you look really well prepared, like you're the consumate chef. Set the table, turn on the music. Light the fire in the fireplace. Sit down and relax. You're ready to blow them away with your entertaining preparations.

More organization tips

• Lists Setting up a calendar and lists to assist in the organization process.
• Message Center Setting up a central place for messages and important information.
• Are you organized? A quick quiz to find out how organized you are, and how much you can do to make yourself more organized.
• Make your own organizer Making your own organizer to track tasks and dates.
• Telephone tips Ways to save time and frustration with the telephone.
• Errands and appointments Making the most out of errands and appointments.
• Using short periods wisely What to do when you only have a few minutes.
• Mail How to handle mail efficiently.
• Housework Make housework more productive and effective.
• Company Preparing for, and entertaining, company.
• Company Kit Setting up a kit for when company arrives on short notice.
• Each evening Preparing for the following day.
• Simple tidying Life can be easier if you set up areas for situations, tyding up the whole house.
• Laundry Ways to save time and money with the laundry.
• Distributing the Burden You don't have to do it all yourself, you can share the load.
• Delegation How to delegate effectively.
• Child's room Keeping your kid's rooms tidy.
• Storage Where to put things.
• Pack rat How to avoid being a pack rat.
• Messy Closet Cleaning out a messy closet.
• Garage Sale How to have a successful garage sale.
• Moving Sorting through your stuff for a move.
• Prevention Some ideas to prevent cleaning chores.
• Odds and ends How to deal with odds and ends that just kind of show up to clutter a room.
• Organizing Your Home Basics of organization.

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