Posted on March 26, 2009 - by Amanda

Hosting Overnight Guests

Hosting an overnight stay

By Ms. Amy Brueggemann

So, you’ve invited guests to stay overnight at your home … now what? How to make them feel comfortable and welcome? It’s really quite simple: put yourself in their shoes. Simply think of things that would put you at ease – things that would make you feel at home – and then get it done. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be the Queen Hostess in no time!

A place of their own

If at all possible, provide a private room for your guests. Not that you aren’t a joy to be around 24-hours, but people need their space. They need a place to be silent, relax and just be alone. Wash all bed linens – from sheets to coverlet. Make sure extra blankets and an alarm clock are available. And while most guests expect to live out of their suitcases, it’s good to give them the option to unpack. Clean out a couple of drawers; make space available in the closet to hang items.

A bit of pampering

Nothing says welcome quite like a little thoughtfulness. Set out towels and washcloths. Have mini bath items on hand – toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razor, lotion – any item of import they may have forgotten. These items may be purchased inexpensively. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of those amenities gathered during hotel stays.

Place finely wrapped chocolates on their pillows. Include a basket of snacks – fruit, nuts, crackers, popcorn, bottled water – anything they can easily munch between meals. You may also want to consider fresh flowers and reading material. We recommend magazines or short-story collections; they are both easy to replace and easy to read in short segments. If your guests happen to be your best girls, you may even want to include bath goodies – facial mask, bath oil, and candle. These items are not only welcoming they let your guests know that you were looking forward to their visit. If you leave these items out in a basket and with a welcoming not you will relieve your guest of the necessity of asking for them. This alleviates embarrassment and keeps intimate matters out of public conversation.

Mi casa es su casa

Once your guests arrive, make them feel at home. If this is a first visit, give them the grand tour. Show them where to place dirty towels and where they can find clean ones. If your home has a known quirk – such as flushing the toilet will freeze the person in the shower – clue your guests in. If you’re not a coffee drinker, show them where to find the coffee maker, coffee, etc.

Meals should be simple. For the morning meal, make breakfast items – pastries, fruit, cheese, milk, juice, coffee – easily available. This allows everyone to wake up and eat at leisure. Lunch can be something where everyone contributes – build-your-own sandwich bar, for instance. And make as much of the dinner ahead as possible, so you have only to throw it in the crock-pot or oven. Unless you know your guests preferences precisely, avoid any dishes on the extremes of culinary taste.

Events

One ought to plan a good mix of things-to-do and down-time so that you and your guests are neither bored nor exhausted. Be sure to know the best sights and events in your town for spending time out on it but also be sure to have a nice board-game, good movie or pack of cards for relaxing in.

Enjoy

Finally, take a deep breath and relax. Most of the work should be finished by the time your doorbell rings. Anything left, such as rounding out meals, should be laid back and easily accomplished while carrying on a conversation. In other words, focus on enjoying the time with your friends and family. After all, one of the greatest souvenirs you can offer is that of happy memories.