Things to Do Around the House Before Guests Arrive for Hari Raya

Are you ready to celebrate this meaningful Raya with your family, relatives and friends?

While Ramadan is nearly over, Malaysians are already looking forward to celebrating the arrival of Syawal with their loved ones. It is a day where families, relatives and friends gather together to feast on guilt-free festive foods and enjoy each other’s company.

There will be so much to look forward to during this upcoming Hari Raya, but let's be honest, preparing our homes for the celebration can be overwhelming because there are so many things that need to be done before we welcome guests into our homes. Fret not, here is a list of things you can do now to prepare your home for Raya so you won't be too stressed when the 1st of Syawal arrives!

1. Declutter

Before you start decorating your home for the festive holiday, set aside a day or two to declutter your home. The decluttering process is important because it creates more space for you to showcase your Raya decorations and it allows you to visualise your decorating plans more easily. It also allows you to focus your cleaning and organising efforts more effectively.

When decluttering, put away items you no longer use or display, as well as anything else that takes up valuable space. You should also gather items that you will not need over the holiday season and store them out of sight for the time being.

2. Clean and refresh your house

After you've decluttered your home, start sweeping, scrubbing, mopping, and polishing. Everything must be spotless, so enlist the help of the entire family because this process can be time-consuming and there will be a lot of cleaning chores for you to complete on your own.

Living room: Vacuum the carpets and floors, wash the curtains, cushion covers, and throw pillow covers, polish the wood furniture and sofa (if leather or vinyl), and remember to clean the dust and grime off fans, pendant lamps, and chandeliers.

The kitchen: Wipe down counters, the faucets and the surrounding areas, polish cupboards and hardware, disinfect the refrigerator, and scrub the stovetop and microwave.

The bathroom: Although you probably wash and clean your bathroom at least once a week, this time, make sure to scrub every nook and cranny, polish dull or cruddy tiles, and remove cobwebs from upper walls or the ceiling (if any).

The bedroom: Vacuum the floors and other dust-prone areas such as curtains, the tops of clothing cupboards, and behind the bed, bedside tables, and other furniture. Don't forget to change the bedsheets and leave the pillows and mattresses out in the sun for at least four hours. This will not only kill dust mites but also naturally fluff up your pillows and bedclothes.

3. Decorate your home with string lights or lanterns

String lights are a common sight during Hari Raya, and it's such an easy and affordable way to amp up the celebratory mood. Add a little bit of sparkle to your home by hanging string lights outside your house, along with your windows, over your doorway, or along the staircase to make your home more festive and inviting for guests.

Lanterns, in addition to string lights, are one of the most elegant forms of lighting that set the mood and add to the ambience of a space. You can repurpose an old birdcage or jewellery box into a lantern but if you don’t have any of these at home, homeware stores sell a variety of lanterns for you to choose from!

4. Create small vignettes throughout your home

Decorating one room for the Hari Raya celebration is relatively easy, but decorating an entire home can feel like an impossibly difficult (and expensive!) task. Rather than decking out rooms from head to toe, use items you already have to create small vignettes throughout your home.

For example, you can create coffee table vignettes with glass jars filled with your favourite kuih raya, ketupat cases, and candles. Take it one room at a time, and remember that a little decoration goes a long way!

5. Replace your throw pillow covers, curtains or rugs

Another great way to add festive cheer to your home during Hari Raya is to change out your throw pillow covers and curtains. While green and yellow are traditional Raya colours, consider dark blue, grey, rosy pink, or turquoise for a more modern look.

Besides throw pillow covers and curtains, you can also add a festive vibe to your home with rugs. Rugs not only add comfort to your underfoot, but they can also help to enhance the overall appearance and the atmosphere of your living space too. A worn-looking rug, for example, can add character to your space and it fits both modern and traditional furniture.

6. Dress up your dining table

Whether you're hosting a large family feast or a small brunch, make your Raya feast extra special this year by dressing up your dining table.

Consider adding unexpected colours to a formal dining room with multicoloured glassware, pastel-coloured plates, and a vase of fresh-cut flowers to give your dining table a cheerful vibe. Meanwhile, simple but affordable classic white serving plates and dinnerware can help you create an elegant dining table setting and make your festive dishes stand out!

7. Don’t forget the guest bathroom

Your guests will most likely need to use the bathroom during their visit to your home, so don't forget to spruce up your guest bathroom as well. Stacking hand towels or rolling them neatly in a tray can add a luxurious touch to a plain bathroom and elevate the overall scheme.

You can also create a spa-like atmosphere in your guest bathroom by adding potted plants or a vase of fresh flowers, using an oil reed diffuser or scented candles, as well as adding a liquid soap and lotion dispenser. Also, hide any cleaning or bath products in a cabinet or store them away from prying eyes so that your guests won’t feel intrusive when using your bathroom.

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