‘Tis the season for welcoming friends and family from afar! After nearly two years of limited travel and gatherings, most of us are ready to fling open our homes and host out-of-town guests.
While I’m thrilled to have visitors once again, there’s no denying that our guest room suffered a bit of neglect during the pandemic. The space collected more than dust, accumulating all sorts of random objects, clothing donations and a few unfinished projects. Thankfully, I had my mother-in-law’s visit to spur me into action a few weeks ago. Our degenerate guest room received a much-needed refresh, reminding me how much I love to prepare a welcoming place for guests to relax and unwind.
Aside from the panicked speed-cleaning that typically heralds visitors at our house, I tend to fall back on a bevy of hospitality basics when it comes to prepping for out-of-town guests. The following suggestions may be helpful as you welcome your own visitors this holiday season (and beyond). I’ve divided the list into three categories to resonate with different hosting styles and situations. Whether you’ve got a separate guest house or a sleeper sofa in the den, a little prep can create an environment that makes loved ones feel comfortable and appreciated, leading to a wonderful visit for everyone!
1. Thoughtful and Prepared
- Who doesn’t feel more relaxed in a clean, uncluttered space? If you only do one thing on this list, be sure to give your guest space a deep clean before turning it over to loved ones. Purge unwanted items, dust the baseboards, scrub the grout, and mop or vacuum those floors. Take it from me, and don’t wait until the day company is set to arrive to tackle the cleaning!
- Invest in a comfortable mattress, along with quality bedding and bath linens designated for guests. These washcloths for removing makeup would be perfect in a guest bath.
- Stock your guest bath with extra toilet paper, tissues, Q-Tips and other necessities.
- Set aside a spare hair dryer and iron+ironing board for guests to use while visiting.
- Treat your guests to wonderfully-scented bath soaps, shampoos and body wash. Be sure to have an assortment of basic (unused) toiletry items on hand, including tooth brushes, mouthwash, toothpaste, deodorant, etc…
- Keep guests happy and hydrated by placing bottled water (still + sparkling) in your guest space, along with a bedside carafe and tumbler.
- Have a stash of healthy snacks for guests to help themselves. You can’t go wrong with a bowl of fruit or a basket of individually-wrapped granola bars, nuts or popcorn.
- Fresh flowers are a must for brightening up your home and welcoming guests.
- A welcome note that includes the wifi password and other pertinent information is both practical and thoughtful.
2. No Detail Overlooked
- Provide a luggage rack to make living out of a suitcase more tolerable. If feasible, have designated drawer and closet space for guests to be able to unpack their belongings and hang clothes.
- Tuck a small footstool in the corner or place a bench at the foot of the bed for perching to slip shoes on or off.
- Consider the lighting in your guest space. Not only can bedside table lamps make a space feel cozy, but they’re also practical for reading and getting ready. A motion-activated nightlight is helpful for guests who may wake in the night.
- Provide an array of reading material to help fill downtime. Current magazines and local interest books are great choices.
- Indulge your guests with a beautifully-scented candle and a pretty box of matches.
3. Practically the Four Seasons
- Splurge on spa-quality robes and slippers for guests to enjoy.
- Include a lighted, magnifying mirror in your guest bathroom. Any woman over 40 whose vision isn’t what it used to be will appreciate this when going to apply her mascara!
- Add a comfortable chair where your guests can check email or curl up with a book.
- If space permits, create a self-serve beverage station stocked with sodas, seltzer water, juice and an ice bucket. Go big by adding a Keurig and an electric tea kettle. Your guests won’t have to wake you to start the coffee!
- Surprise your guests with a bottle of champagne or wine.
- A silver dish filled with candies or fancy chocolates is a sweet touch.
- Set a tray on a bedside table or dresser with pretty stationery, a pen and your house guest book.
- A cashmere throw blanket is a welcome addition to any guest space.
Although it may sound hokey, I promise you won’t regret starting a guest book for family and friends to write in each time they visit. We adopted this tradition when we first moved to Charleston, and it’s been wonderful to go back and read the hand-written notes from family and friends, detailing the times we’ve shared. Many of the entries coincide with holidays and milestones like the birth of our youngest daughter and my 40th birthday. I imagine that, one day, our guest book will be enjoyed by our girls who will view it as a cherished record of our family history.
How do you prepare for out-of-town guests? Maybe you’ve been the one who has been showered with hospitality? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
