Clean counters. This is the most important step because it's probably the only thing your guests will notice.
Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher. If this can't happen, store them in a pot to be dealt with later or fill your sink with hot water and dish soap until it's bubbly, then pop in your dishes, which are now hidden under suds.
Stash away paper piles. Move piles of mail and school forms to a drawer, cabinet, or mud room to be dealt with later.
Light a candle. Cover up odors of meals gone by and unemptied trash cans with a candle or infuser. If you really want to impress for the holiday, boil water with fragrant extras like orange peels, lemon wedges, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla extract.