For most of us the holiday season is usually accompanied by an influx of people staying at our homes. And we love it, right?! Seeing our dear family and friends is one of the best parts of the holidays. Or even outside of this season whether it is for 2 weeks or 2 days we often open up our homes to guests. And while we love it there is some extra preparation that goes into having people stay. These helpful tips will keep you prepared and prevent you running around like crazy 30 minutes before your guests arrive.
5 Things Every Guest Room Should Have:
#1: Mirror Have you ever stayed in a room without a mirror, woke up and walked through the house to the bathroom greeting other people along the way, only to walk into the bathroom, look in the mirror and realize that you could pass for the Bride of Frankenstein? Not the best way to start the morning. Guests will appreciate having a mirror to check their appearance before leaving the safety of the guest room. Also, if bathrooms are in short supply an extra mirror gives someone a place to do hair/makeup and frees up bathroom time.
#2: Clock Sometimes waking up in the middle of the night in a strange room can be really disorienting. Once a person remembers where they are the first thing they will usually do is look for a clock. Being able to see what time it is and how long they have before they need to be awake is useful and comforting.
#3: Extra Blankets/ Towels Even if it is supposed to be 100 degrees that night always provide an extra blanket or two. They might not get used but since every person sleeps differently they are always good to have. There is nothing worse than laying awake all night freezing and trying to get warm. Having towels already set out for your guests is also very helpful. I have stood in front of linen closets before and wondered which towels were the fancy ones, which towels were okay for me to use, and which towels they used to wash the dog. Designating towels for your guests removes any awkwardness they might feel rummaging around your linen closets.
#4: Water/ Snacks I have mentioned this before in my Welcome Guest Basket, but I think having a few water bottles or snacks in the guest room is so thoughtful. Your guest might be embarrassed to be hungry at 2 a.m. or they don’t feel comfortable walking through the dark house to find a drink of water. It is an easy thing to provide.
#5: Extra Space If possible try to have a little space set aside for your guest. You may not have a designated guest room and so instead your guest may be staying in a child’s room during their visit. If that is the case clear off a section of the dresser or side table so your guest will have a place to empty their pockets at the end of the night. A place where they can drop their cell phone, wallet, jewelry, loose change, etc. If there is room in the closet add a few extra hangers or think about emptying one drawer in the dresser. If there is some space set aside (and it doesn’t need to be much) your guest won’t feel like they are intruding into your personal space.
Moving outside of the guest room now, here are a few things that I have always found useful when we have people stay with us.
#1 Bottled Water We don’t typically drink bottled water, we have a filter we use instead, but if we are having company coming to stay with us we always go out and buy a case or two of water. When we are going out sight-seeing it is so convenient for everyone to be able to grab a bottle and throw it in their purse or backpack instead of spending way more money buying drinks at a convenience store. And when we are at home it saves on dishes as well. If a person grabs a different cup every time they want a drink you can run a load in the dishwasher with nothing but glasses inside!
#2 Start with it Clean It is always best to be able to give your home a good cleaning before your guests arrive but I know that sometimes you just don’t have the time. If that is the case then try to do at least these 3 things. Take out the garbage. Empty all garbage cans in your home and make sure the bags inside are new. You’ll fill them up soon enough with the influx of people. Your air will smell much better as well. Counter Wipe. Grab a rag and some cleaner and wipe off all the counters in your kitchen and bathrooms. It will be a quick clean, but it will make a difference. Vacuum the floors. You don’t have to do the full house but do try to hit the main areas like the bathroom, kitchen, and living room.
#3 Entertainment Have on hand a supply of books, games, or movies that your guests might enjoy. While it is always fun to go out and explore your guests might also enjoy a relaxing evening while on their vacation. Be prepared for a night of just staying in, popping popcorn, and having fun together.
Most importantly, relax and enjoy the chance to spend time with your family and friends. After all, your guests are most likely there to visit you, not count the dust bunnies under the bed.
