How to organize a holiday home weekend

A holiday home weekend runs smoothly when you settle the practical details before anyone arrives. Start with the guest list, dietary requirements and house reservation, then assign rooms, plan meals and organize transport. During the final week, confirm numbers, shop for food and drinks, and prepare activities that work indoors and outside. On arrival, collect the keys, check the house, distribute luggage and explain the house rules before the welcome drinks are poured.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Send invitations
2
Process registrations
3
Collect dietary requirements
4
Reserve holiday home
5
Confirm reservation
6
Finalize the participant list
7
Assign rooms
2 people
8
Plan meals
2 people
9
Set up activities
2 people
10
Check the shopping list
2 people
11
Do the shopping
2 people
12
Chill drinks
2 people
13
Assign cars

Event

14
Pick up keys
15
Check the house
2 people
16
Distribute luggage
3 people
17
Set up tables
3 people
18
Set out chairs
2 people
19
Set up the kitchen
2 people
20
Hang decorations
2 people
21
Connect the music
22
Pour welcome drinks
2 people
23
Explain the house rules
24
Allocate rooms
25
Guide the afternoon activity
2 people
26
Prepare snacks
3 people
27
Prepare dinner
4 people
28
Serve dinner
2 people
29
Refill drinks
30
Support the evening activity
2 people
31
Prepare breakfast
3 people
32
Serve breakfast
2 people
33
Lead morning activity
2 people
34
Prepare lunch
3 people
35
Serve lunch
2 people

Aftercare

36
Gather luggage
3 people
37
Wash dishes
3 people
38
Clean the kitchen
2 people
39
Collect waste
2 people
40
Put furniture back
3 people
41
Check rooms
2 people
42
Hand over the house
43
Collect lost and found items
44
Return cleaning supplies

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Folding tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 14
Tableclothsqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 16
Bowlsqty 16
Glassesqty 24
Coffee mugsqty 16
Cutlery setsqty 16
Serving boardsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 3
Serving plattersqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 2
Portable speakers
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2
Power banksqty 3

Decorations

Buntingqty 4
Table décorqty 3
Name badgesqty 16

Sports equipment

Soccer
Frisbee
Game cardsqty 2
Board gamesqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 3

Cleaning

Hand brush and dustpan
Bucketsqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 6

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Confirm the final participant list at least 7 days before departure. Use it to assign rooms, cars and meal quantities instead of planning around tentative guests.
Collect dietary requirements when people register, not at dinner time. Check the finished meal plan against every response before doing the shopping.
Plan meals around the kitchen equipment and group size. Prepare a simple arrival meal and keep serving boards, platters, bowls and enough tableware ready before guests unpack.
Prepare one indoor and one outdoor activity for the afternoon. Soccer or frisbee may suit good weather, while game cards and board games keep the group occupied if it rains.
Pack practical arrival items separately from luggage: flashlights, power banks, extension cords, cleaning supplies and the house information. Check the property before distributing rooms or decorating.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book a holiday home weekend?: Book the holiday home as soon as you know the likely dates and group size, preferably several months ahead. Confirm the reservation again about 7 days before arrival and check the key collection instructions.
When should I finalize the guest list for a holiday home weekend?: Finalize it at least 7 days before departure. That gives you time to assign rooms and cars, confirm dietary requirements, and calculate food, drinks and tableware.
How much food and drink should I buy for a holiday home weekend?: Plan each main meal for the final number of guests, with a small buffer for snacks and second servings. For the first evening, allow roughly 2 to 3 drinks per person in the first hour, then adjust for the rest of the weekend.
What should I do first when we arrive at the holiday home?: Pick up the keys, check the house and note any existing damage before unloading everything. Then set up the kitchen and tables, distribute luggage and rooms, explain the house rules, and serve the welcome drinks.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.