INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you are concerned about conserving heat, go around to each window and place your hand in front of it. Check to see if your hand feels a cold draft coming from outside. This means that the window is leaching out some of your house's heat. To test for drafts in the summer, go outside to a window. Place your hand near the window's seam and see if you feel any cold air. If you do, this means that air from your air conditioner is leaking from the inside to the outside. You can also test for drafts by turning off your air conditioner, heater, or any fans. Then, light a stick of incense near the window. If the smoke is pushed toward the window or away from it, you have a draft. Place a measuring tape along the top of the window frame and record the length. Then, do the same thing with the side of the window frame and record the height. Take your time and measure twice just to be certain. These are the dimensions for your window. If the window has a slight lip for a screen, include that in the measurement as well. Measure from inside the building, as you will attach the foil from the interior. This gives you enough extra room to attach the foil to the window panel or frame. If you are concerned that the panel is extra-large, don't be afraid to add even more inches. In general, it's better if your measurements are a bit longer than shorter, as you can always trim off excess foil. These added inches will also give you enough space to fold the sides of the foil over to prevent injuries.

SUMMARY: Check your windows for drafts. Measure each window. Add at least 3 inches (7.6cm) to your measurements.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Start preparing for guests by cleaning. A clean home will be welcoming. Focus on areas where your guests will spend time, like the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and entryway. Dust, vacuum, clean surfaces, and get rid of clutter. If you're having overnight guests, change the linens on the bed where they will sleep. Put out clean towels in the bathroom. Make sure you'll have everything you need while your guests are in your home. Buy enough food, drink, and other necessities, like tissues. You'll feel more prepared and confident knowing that you won't run out of anything. Check your supplies of toilet paper, soap, napkins, and other essentials. Make a shopping list based on your menus and any supplies you need to restock so you don't forget anything when you shop. Whether your guests are coming for a party or a weekend, you want to verify that things work. For your party, make sure that the equipment you want to use for playing music works and can be amplified. Also check that games have all of their pieces. For your overnight guests, check that lamps have lightbulbs, clocks are set correctly, and remotes have batteries. This is a great time to fix major things aren't working, like plumbing that is stopped up or a broken step on your porch. If you can't fix them in time, be sure to warn your guests and have a backup plan. Your guests will arrive with gifts for hosts, coats, purses, and luggage if they are staying overnight. Plan where you want these to go while you're entertaining. Take care of your guests' things as soon as they walk in the door so they will immediately feel welcome. Set aside a space for your luggage on the surface like a trunk or the floor of a closet. You can even invest in a luggage rack. This will help guests stay organized. Make space in dressers and closets for your overnight guests. If you are having a party, invite people who you think will get along, appreciate the invitation, and enjoy the party. Plan your guest list so everyone can fit comfortably in your home. For example, if you're throwing a dinner party, decide how you want to seat guests and if you'll have enough chairs. When you plan for overnight guests, only invite the number of people you can reasonably accommodate. Consider throwing a few smaller parties if you have a small space and a long guest list. If you are worried about guests overstaying their welcome, specify how long you are inviting them for. For example, give specific dates to overnight guests. And when you issue party invitations, state exact start and end times. If you don't want overnight guests for more than a weekend, you could say, "We are so pleased you can visit us. We will be able to host you the weekend of the 10th to the 12th and would love to have you visit then." It's a good idea to decide if there are places in your home where you do not want guests. For example, you might not want them in bedrooms during a party. If you have a family or roommate, come to an agreement about which areas are off-limits and how you will all politely steer guests away from those areas. Say that you aren't prepared to show guests certain rooms, for example: "Those are the bedrooms. We didn't really clean them up for guests. Sorry." Encourage guests to explore areas that you don't mind them seeing, for example: "The bedrooms are down that hall. Let me show you the patio and garden now. I think you'll enjoy seeing them."

SUMMARY:
Clean your home. Stock up on supplies. Check the details. Organize your space. Plan your guest list. Tell guests exactly how long you can host them. Decide where guests are welcome in your home.