1. Prepare the guest room –
Preparing the guest room is the most important part to being a hostess. We created this great little guide for guest room essentials. Just to highlight a few items, make sure linens are clean. The night stand next to the bed is a great place to put fresh flowers, a water bottle, and some reading material. I often put the book I just finished reading in the room and encourage guests to take it with them if they wish.
Preparing the guest room is the most important part to being a hostess. We created this great little guide for guest room essentials. Just to highlight a few items, make sure linens are clean. The night stand next to the bed is a great place to put fresh flowers, a water bottle, and some reading material. I often put the book I just finished reading in the room and encourage guests to take it with them if they wish.
2. Prepare the bath room
Like the bedroom make sure the bathroom is stocked and ready for your guest. It is nice to lay the towels out for your guests so they don’t have to go searching through the cabinets. As a girl packing a blow dryer takes up a lot of room, this is one item that I would definitely recommend having in your bathroom. We love having all of our bathroom essentials in a nice little basket and allow the guests to help themselves.
Like the bedroom make sure the bathroom is stocked and ready for your guest. It is nice to lay the towels out for your guests so they don’t have to go searching through the cabinets. As a girl packing a blow dryer takes up a lot of room, this is one item that I would definitely recommend having in your bathroom. We love having all of our bathroom essentials in a nice little basket and allow the guests to help themselves.
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3. Go over the agenda
If you have activities in mind, be sure to tell your guests in advance so they can pack appropriately. It is also nice to tell them about the weather and suggest packing a light sweater, a swimsuit, etc. As the hostess it is your job to make a plan of places to visit and restaurants to try. It’s also nice to ask your guest if there is anything specific they want to see or visit.
4. Prepare the kitchen
Stock the fridge, no one likes opening a fridge that is full of only beer and condiments. Prior to your guests arrival ask if there are certain snacks or items they would like to snack on during their stay. Throughout the stay asking your guest to wash salad greens, chop veggies or dry dishes can help make them feel included and useful. Taking out the trash, scrubbing greasy pans and other dirty jobs are best left to family members.
If you have activities in mind, be sure to tell your guests in advance so they can pack appropriately. It is also nice to tell them about the weather and suggest packing a light sweater, a swimsuit, etc. As the hostess it is your job to make a plan of places to visit and restaurants to try. It’s also nice to ask your guest if there is anything specific they want to see or visit.
4. Prepare the kitchen
Stock the fridge, no one likes opening a fridge that is full of only beer and condiments. Prior to your guests arrival ask if there are certain snacks or items they would like to snack on during their stay. Throughout the stay asking your guest to wash salad greens, chop veggies or dry dishes can help make them feel included and useful. Taking out the trash, scrubbing greasy pans and other dirty jobs are best left to family members.
At the minimum show your guest where the coffee- and tea-making supplies, snacks, drinks and dishes are kept. Show them where your garbage and recycling cans are, and where to put what. If they will be staying longer, provide a small laundry basket and show them how to work things in the laundry room.
5. Have snacks and drinks ready upon arrival
When guest arrive be sure to ask them if they want anything to eat or drink. No matter what the time of day traveling always seems to make people hungry. Tea, coffee, wine, beer, and some snacks are always nice to have available to your guests. A nice option are these Oatmeal Bars they are a great thing to have around for your guests to snack on.
5. Have snacks and drinks ready upon arrival
When guest arrive be sure to ask them if they want anything to eat or drink. No matter what the time of day traveling always seems to make people hungry. Tea, coffee, wine, beer, and some snacks are always nice to have available to your guests. A nice option are these Oatmeal Bars they are a great thing to have around for your guests to snack on.
6. Give a tour of the house
Show them to their room and help the carry their bags. Remember to give them a house tour if it is their first time at your home. Point out where the extra blankets and pillows are kept, which drawer they can use to put their things and where hangers are to hang their clothing. It is also nice to let them know there are extra toiletries in the bathroom in case they forgot anything.
7. Let them settle in
After showing them their room and the house , leave them time to get settled. They may want to freshen up after traveling and will rejoin you once they are ready. Having a little alone time upon arrival is very nice for guest it allows then to unpack and settle in.
Show them to their room and help the carry their bags. Remember to give them a house tour if it is their first time at your home. Point out where the extra blankets and pillows are kept, which drawer they can use to put their things and where hangers are to hang their clothing. It is also nice to let them know there are extra toiletries in the bathroom in case they forgot anything.
7. Let them settle in
After showing them their room and the house , leave them time to get settled. They may want to freshen up after traveling and will rejoin you once they are ready. Having a little alone time upon arrival is very nice for guest it allows then to unpack and settle in.
8. Introduce them to your animals.
It is nice to tell your guest about the animals in the house. Going over their schedule so they aren’t alarmed when a dog barks at 6 am for their food. Some people don’t mind pets romping around their room, but others may prefer to keep their room door shut.
It is nice to tell your guest about the animals in the house. Going over their schedule so they aren’t alarmed when a dog barks at 6 am for their food. Some people don’t mind pets romping around their room, but others may prefer to keep their room door shut.
9. Explain any of your home’s quirks before they need to ask!
After living in your place for years, you may have forgotten how difficult it was to work the shower that first time or flush the toilet so it doesn’t run all night — save your guests the agony and show them clearly how everything works.
10. Empower guests to help themselves
Guests can feel awkward having to ask every time they need something. Make things easier — on you and them — by giving a little self-help tour early on in their stay.
Enjoy your company!
Our final thought to leave you with is enjoy your company. Your house may not be perfect, the guest bed spread might be old, the wine might not be the fanciest, but the most important part is that your family and friends have traveled to spend time with YOU and see your city! So loosen up, things might be messy, throw pillows might get out of place. Don’t stress about a little mess or if cards or a board game get left out on the table. Remember having people in your home is all about being flexible and generous; so go out of your way to make you company feel welcome and happy. You get one chance to make great memories together, so take advantage of the time together.
After living in your place for years, you may have forgotten how difficult it was to work the shower that first time or flush the toilet so it doesn’t run all night — save your guests the agony and show them clearly how everything works.
10. Empower guests to help themselves
Guests can feel awkward having to ask every time they need something. Make things easier — on you and them — by giving a little self-help tour early on in their stay.
Enjoy your company!
Our final thought to leave you with is enjoy your company. Your house may not be perfect, the guest bed spread might be old, the wine might not be the fanciest, but the most important part is that your family and friends have traveled to spend time with YOU and see your city! So loosen up, things might be messy, throw pillows might get out of place. Don’t stress about a little mess or if cards or a board game get left out on the table. Remember having people in your home is all about being flexible and generous; so go out of your way to make you company feel welcome and happy. You get one chance to make great memories together, so take advantage of the time together.
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