The holiday season entails more people dropping by for a visit – some with little or no advanced notice. With a little forethought, you can make guests comfortable, even if you’re providing meals or accommodations on the fly.

• When you have some extra time, prepare a meal that can be stretched for a few extra guests and then put it in the freezer. A hearty beef stew or a tray of baked ziti can be prepared in advance and frozen, then simply heated up if guests pop in. A quick run to the store for biscuits or a loaf of crusty bread and a bottle of wine will complete the meal. If you don’t end up having unexpected company this season, you can always feed your family the meal and take a night off from cooking.

• As you shop for holiday gifts, grab a few extra gender-nonspecific gifts. This way if someone gives you a gift unexpectedly, you can reciprocate rather quickly. Also, it’s a nice token of appreciation to give friends or relatives who drop in a little gift.

• Keep a set of freshly laundered sheets tied up with a blanket and a pillow in the event someone has to stay for the night. Inexpensive inflatable mattresses are sold at sporting good stores and department stores. They serve in a pinch if you don’t have a spare bed to offer.

• Buy a few extra inexpensive toothbrushes the next time you’re at the store. If someone should stay over and forget their travel essentials, at least they’ll be able to enjoy minty fresh breath the next morning.

The holiday season entails more people dropping by for a visit – some with little or no advanced notice. With a little forethought, you can make guests comfortable, even if you’re providing meals or accommodations on the fly.

• When you have some extra time, prepare a meal that can be stretched for a few extra guests and then put it in the freezer. A hearty beef stew or a tray of baked ziti can be prepared in advance and frozen, then simply heated up if guests pop in. A quick run to the store for biscuits or a loaf of crusty bread and a bottle of wine will complete the meal. If you don’t end up having unexpected company this season, you can always feed your family the meal and take a night off from cooking.

• As you shop for holiday gifts, grab a few extra gender-nonspecific gifts. This way if someone gives you a gift unexpectedly, you can reciprocate rather quickly. Also, it’s a nice token of appreciation to give friends or relatives who drop in a little gift.

• Keep a set of freshly laundered sheets tied up with a blanket and a pillow in the event someone has to stay for the night. Inexpensive inflatable mattresses are sold at sporting good stores and department stores. They serve in a pinch if you don’t have a spare bed to offer.

• Buy a few extra inexpensive toothbrushes the next time you’re at the store. If someone should stay over and forget their travel essentials, at least they’ll be able to enjoy minty fresh breath the next morning.