As the weather warms up and people start to flock from their homes for a change of scenery you may be hosting house guests soon. Growing up we never had visitors at our house. I was lucky that my family all lived in one place so a house guest aside from a friend sleeping over from school was a foreign concept to me. It wasn’t until I met my husband whose family lives out of state that we actually had an extended stay at my sisters-in-law’s house. The hosting experience was amazing. We arrived from at their house from a road trip and were greeted with cocktails, a snack tray and a guest welcome basket waiting for us in our room. The whole experience felt very thoughtful and special and made a big impression on me.
I’ve always aspired to hold the “hostess with the mostest” title but entertaining and the home making arts in general do not come naturally to me. Aside from ogling all the décor in Nancy Meyers movies and picking up tips and tricks from Ina Garten and Martha Stewart I was a little clueless but I’ve since picked up lots useful tips along the way.
These tips will help you master any hosting duties and ensure your overnight guests feel welcome and entertained at home.
Hosting House Guest Essentials
1. CLEAN
First step to prepare for hosting house guests, Clean. This one is a bit of a given but make sure you’ve give the guest bedroom a through clean so that your guests feel extra comfortable in their room. Dust and vacuum, wash the sheets, add or replenish your room air freshener, clean out the closet and drawers so guests have ample space to put their things.
2. CONSIDER THEIR FAVORITE FOOD AND DRINK
Another thought Check on dietary restrictions but also ask about their favorite snacks and drinks so you have them on hand. I always like to make sure I have lots of healthy fruit and veggie options since we typically eat a lot meals out while guests are in town. You may also want to buy a cute serving platter or some ramekins to put snacks in. It’s not a have to but it’s another nice touch and always makes it a little more fancy. I also like to have a variety of drink options including sparkling water, spirits and champagne for breakfast cocktails and red and white wine for the evening. Another thing to consider would be breakfast drinks. Do your guests drink coffee or tea? Do they like a specific type of milk for their coffee or tea?
3. THINK ABOUT PLACES TO VISIT IN ADVANCE
See what events are happening while guests are in town so you have a good list of things to do. Also think about some of your favorite restaurants and hang outs that your guests might appreciate. Some times when the pressure is on my mind just goes blank so I like to have a list of things that I’ve thought through in advance.
4. MAKE A WELCOME GIFT BASKET
If you have time, make a welcome basket for your guests as a special treat. This will be a nice treat for your guests and give them a fun hotel like experience.
Things to add to your guest welcome basket:
- A small gift specific to where you live like treats from a local bakery or brewery or a candle. Just something small but memorable.
- Toiletries – body wash, lotion, tooth paste, razor, sunscreen, kleenex
- Bottles of water
- Stack of towels for them to use during their stay
- Treats for animals if they’re bringing one.
- Robes for them to use during their stay
5. RELAX
From the perspective of a high functioning perfectionist, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and try to make everything absolutely perfect for your guests and this can getting overwhelming. Sometimes that energy is noticeable to your guests so take a moment for mindfulness and gratitude to reflect on the time together and try to stay present and savor the time. If you find yourself stressed or overwhelmed go for a walk or take some time away to breath. Mindful breathing, exercise and a change of scenery are all proven strategies to help release stress.
What are some of your tips for entertaining guests and making them feel at home? Let me know if the comments below.