This is the season when many of us will have family and friends as overnight guests. Even if you are short on time, space and money, here are 8 tips to help your guests feel more at home:
A basket full of things guests might have forgotten
I have a basket I leave out for my overnight guests. It is filled with things like shampoo, body wash, lotion, mouthwash, make-up samples, etc. I save unused bottles from hotel stays or send off for free samples from All You Magazine.
Tissues
It’s pretty boring, but a necessity. Go for the festive boxes for that extra touch.
Sheet-blanket-sheet
One of my more recent discoveries. It seems like lots of the nicer hotels are going for this concept. I’m one of those germ-a-phobic people that do not like to touch the blankets or bedspreads in a hotel. I love it when the blanket has a sheet on both the top and bottom. I’ve also found it to be very comfortable.
Water
Your overnight guests will appreciate not having to navigate your home and wake everyone in the middle of the night to get a drink if they need one. You could put just a few bottles in the bathroom or bedroom. I found this great pitcher/drinking glass combo at a yard sale. If you’ve got great tasting water from the tap, just put a few disposable cups in the bathroom.
Night-light
Your guests may or may not want this, but making it available is nice.
Make space
If you have a guest room this one is pretty easy. But, if you have extra guests or no guest room at all, your kids are probably going to have to vacate their room to make room for grandma or their or Aunt Sue. (This is a great lesson for them in putting others first…and what “hospitality” really means!) Our family doesn’t have a guest room. When we have overnight guests, I try to have my kids clear off a spot where a suitcase could lay. (For example, the Lego table in my youngest child’s room becomes a suitcase stand!) It’s also a good idea to clear away the clutter and make room in the closet for your guest’s hang-up clothes.
Place towels, a hand towel and wash cloth on the bed
This keeps your guests from wondering which towels to use.
Fresh flowers or seasonal decor
Put a small Christmas tree in the room during December, or fresh flowers from your garden in July. It shows you were thinking of them!
PLUS Two more if you have the extra time…
Snacks
This is especially true for those guests who stay in your home that are not family or really close friends. (You know, the ones they may not feel comfortable just opening up your fridge when they get hungry!) Small bags of pretzels, nuts and cookies would be most appreciated!
Disposable guest towels
For basic hand-washing, this is a great idea. It seems that someone is always sick during the holidays…so why not keep germs at bay? If you don’t want to buy the more expensive towels, just put a roll of paper towels in the bathroom.
homeschool mama and pastor’s wife–two of the most wonderful and most
challenging callings God has given her to date! Things she loves: GOOD
coffee, 70% dark organic chocolate, a Jane Austin flick with her hubby,
watching her children read and taking part in God’s Kingdom work. Letha
blogs at justpitchingmytent. – See more at: http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/12-tree-trimming-tips/#sthash.IuYg4C5D.dpuf
homeschool mama and pastor’s wife–two of the most wonderful and most
challenging callings God has given her to date! Things she loves: GOOD
coffee, 70% dark organic chocolate, a Jane Austin flick with her hubby,
watching her children read and taking part in God’s Kingdom work. Letha
blogs at justpitchingmytent. – See more at: http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/12-tree-trimming-tips/#sthash.IuYg4C5D.dpuf
homeschool mama and pastor’s wife–two of the most wonderful and most
challenging callings God has given her to date! Things she loves: GOOD
coffee, 70% dark organic chocolate, a Jane Austin flick with her hubby,
watching her children read and taking part in God’s Kingdom work. Letha
blogs at justpitchingmytent. – See more at: http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/12-tree-trimming-tips/#sthash.IuYg4C5D.dpuf