'Tis the season for well planned family gatherings and impromptu visitors. You just never know who might show up on your doorstep! Is that okay with you? Do people know they are welcome anytime or does the idea of having houseguests throw you into a panic??? The bigger question might be: How to be ready for visitors in any season? Is it possible to throw down the welcome mat and really mean it? Need help making your guests feel right at home and ensure you can relax along with them? Read on!
The following collection of ideas are derived from friends and family who have been fabulous hosts and hostesses over the years. Thank you, all! Peruse what others are doing to prepare for guests in their homes. Pick and choose what is appropriate for your home, budget and lifestyle. Enjoy the selection of ideas!
Prep the House.
The less you have to scramble to prepare, the more you will enjoy time shared with friends. Impromptu visitors should not induce heart failure, hair raising or mind altering states! Drop by visitors should be welcomed as much as those who plan ahead and give forewarning. The key to handling both seems to be... a home that is kept organized day in and day out. You don't have to be 'Becky Home-Ecky' with a spotlessly clean home and gourmet foods available at a moments notice... but it helps tremendously if you are organized! At the very least, advanced preparation and an organized home allows you room to breathe and think clearly!
Prep the Guest Room.
Whether you have a guest room, a sofa bed in the living room or a blow up mattress... there are a few things you can do in advance to ensure guests are comfortable.
Linens on reserve. Stock a shelf in the linen closet or guest room closet with sheets for the bed, fluffy towels and extra (clean) pillows and blankets. Treat your guests with the newest, freshest linens and pillows you can afford and reserve them for guest use only.
Keep a sampler basket of toiletries ready-to-go. Include trial size shampoo, conditioner, face soap, body soap, lotions, shaving cream, deodorant, disposable razor, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, Q-tips, cotton balls and Kleenex as well as samples of hair products for smoothing frizz, taming curls, hairspray, etc. Continue the spa treatment by keeping a hand-held mirror, blow dryer, curling iron and/or straightener for guest use.
Provide a full length mirror in the guest room or bathroom providing guests with a place to check appearances before dashing out the door.
Light the night. Provide a small table, short chest of drawers, a stack of old suitcases or a chair beside the bed for use as a table top. Add a lamp or wall light (on both sides of larger beds) for soft ambient lighting and late night reading. Provide an alarm clock/radio or ihome, a small vase of fresh flowers and bottled water.
Hanging space. Many homes use guest room closets as storage for miscellaneous household items. If your guest closet cannot be reserved for guest use only then offer other options for providing hanging space. Floor space available? Provide a standing hall tree. Go vertical! Use wall space and hang a decorative row of hooks for hanging wet towels or clothing. Go spa! Provide a touch of luxury with white, terry cloth robes for guests to wrap themselves in.
Keep the bathroom clean. Whether the bathroom is a public space or exclusively for guest use... Keep it clean and ready for use! A quick, daily, wipe down of mirror, sink and toilet will do wonders for keeping the space freshened up! If you know in advance that guests are arriving, swap out the towels for clean ones, empty the trash bin, refill toilet paper supplies and add a small vase of fresh flowers. Voila! You are ready to go!
Thoughtful service. For those wanting to go above and beyond, consider placing a gift basket of tasty treats in the guest room. Keep it simple and include fresh fruit, nuts and a little sweet indulgence! (Chocolate, anyone?) Take into consideration health issues, ages and personal preferences of guests when filling the basket. Don't forget to add a tour guide/maps of the area plus a magazine (or two) of interest to your guests.
Note: All photos are shared courtesy of google images.