Holiday Cheer

Happy Weekend, y'all!  At this time of year, it's important to keep our "Belle Hats" on, but it's as difficult as it is important.  There are so many ways this month that we can make people around us feel good, make our homes welcoming, and feel good!
It may seem like it goes without saying, but having a home that smells inviting is probably more important than anything else in entertaining.  If you have a luscious spread of food but your cats litterboxes are out of control,  nobody is going to want to eat, or for that matter, stick around for dessert.  What can you do to keep your home fresh without getting a steam clean every month?
I utilize a few different techniques.  First of all, I do try to steam clean about once a year.  I was thrilled with the results the first time I did it, and I just rented a cleaner from Home Depot.  I recommend that if you do this you also rent the fan to dry the carpets afterwards - It was a lifesaver.  You can rent the equipment by three hour increments, and if you're ready before you pick it up you can get it done very quickly.  Here are a few options for between steam cleans:

• Febreze makes vacuum bags that have baking soda and scent in the bag, so you don't have an overwhelmingly chemical smell in your home, but it does smell fresh and clean.  Be sure to vacuum anything upholstered too, especially if you have pets.
• Glade makes some great scented items, such as plug ins, candles, and oils.  I keep a neutral scent in the plug in (clean linen) in our foyer, so guests are greeted with a rush of "clean."
• This option can be a little more expensive, but if you can splurge I recommend it:  Scentsy is a company that makes burners and waxes to go in them.  They are long lasting, strong but not overwhelming, and there is such a broad variety of scents there will be something for everyone.  Plus they're really pretty.
• Okay, this is a topic that nobody wants to discuss, but with all the holiday travel and heavy food, plus the fact that this product is MIRACULOUS, it warrants mentioning:  Bathroom smells are gross, the end.  Poo Pourri is a product that you use that actually eliminates the problem before it...well...arises.  You put a couple of drops in the toilet before you use it and it makes a shield over the water so everything basically disappears immediately.  Keep a bottle of this on the back of the toilet or somewhere obvious but not overbearing for your holiday soirees.
• Anytime you bake something, it smells like home, so to get that great smell in a  hurry, I keep some ready-to-bake cookies in the fridge - when someone says they're coming over, pop them in and you're set - plus, you'll have a great winter snack fresh out of the oven when they arrive!

What are other issues you find you face more during the holidays than other times of the year?