Whether you are inviting guests over for a dinner, the weekend or for a week, you must always make them feel welcome in your home. Before someone comes over, I love to ask them what their favorite foods are (to avoid any allergens), what they like to drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). The most fundamental task that you have is to make sure your guests have a good time and want to come back. A few extra touches will go a long way. But the most important take-away is to make sure you leave a long-lasting impression with your guest. Have fun, enjoy
1. TEND TO ALL YOUR GUESTS NEEDS
Schedule a phone call prior to the arrival of your guests; whether it is just a dinner or a week-long stay, get to know their likes and dislikes. Remember, it is not about what your likes or needs are, but your guests. What is their favorite meal, drinks, places to go, etc. Do they like the comforts of home or do they like to get out on the town and experience new things?
Will there be small children coming to your house? Are your guests elderly and need a quiet space to relax? Are your guests young and wanting to spend a night on the town? Guests with young children need to be accommodated as well. Ask your guests what they plan on bringing. You can offer to rent a few items or borrow them from close friends so your guests don’t have to bring so many of their belongings. You can even pick up a game or a couple of toys to make the kids feel welcome. A huge bonus would be offering to babysit their kids so the couple can spend a night out on the town.
For elderly guests, be accommodating to their needs as well. They may want to get to bed early, so a room further away from the kitchen or living room would be a good choice.
2. Get TECH-FRIENDLY
We are in the technology age and everyone needs to be plugged in and “on” at all times. You can put your wifi password in a glass frame in their guest bedroom. You can also have chargers readily available just in case they forgot theirs at home. Make sure to give your guests instructions on how to operate the tv. This is time to be together, but we all need our personal time as well. You can also share your book collection with guests so they can unwind by reading.
3. GIVE THEM THE “GRAND TOUR”
Basically think of yourself as the real estate agent and you are selling your home to the new buyers. First off, show them the room they will be staying in with all the amenities. Make sure they know where all of the bathrooms are located and give them a designated spot for their toiletries (soap, hair blow dryer, powder, etc.) Leave out a few extra rolls of toilet paper. Show them how to work the shower and possibly how to turn it on.
Do they have kids? Let them know where the washcloths and baby bath tub is. It may also be nice to put a night light in the bathroom if someone needs to use it during the night. Most importantly, show them a room that they can unwind in aside from their bedroom. Let them know where the kids can safely play. Ask them if they have any questions or if there is anything you missed.
4. HAVE A COFFEE OR TEA BAR
When you talk to your guest about their likes and dislikes, also get a feel as to what they drink for breakfast. Do they like coffee or tea? What are their favorite flavors. You can always have decaf options available as well and hot chocolate for the kids. For their first day at your home, its nice to also welcome them with baked goods. Have an array of fruit, fresh made muffins and donuts for the kids. As an added treat, you can also have protein bars to tie them over in between meals.
You may not normally have clutter on your counters, but now is the time to have items readily available in your kitchen. Your guest may not want to go into your kitchen and open the cabinets, but they would feel a little more comfortable opening a canister on a counter to make a cup of coffee. Let them know that the creamer is in the fridge and you have sugar right on the counter at their disposal.
5. ADD COMFORT TO THEIR BEDROOM
It is so important to tidy up all of the rooms in the house, but especially where your guests will be sleeping for the night. I love to use white sheets because they clean so well and bleach can be used on them. I always put freshly cleaned sheets on the bed before guests arrive with a couple extra pillows An added touch would be to leave some bath towels on your guests bed so they know they are specifically for them.
While we do not eat in the bedrooms of our homes, I do recommend leaving some bottles of water in your guests bedrooms along with a travel tooth brush and tooth paste. A cozy pair of slippers can also be left by the side of the bed. We are a “no shoe” household. In case your guests do not want to go barefoot, you can also give them an option to wear the slippers that you bought especially for them.
Remember, this should not be a stressful time. If you plan accordingly and prepare, you will only be able to enjoy their company when they arrive. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries such as the day they will depart. Discuss meal expectations so your guests know what meals they are responsible for. By taking these necessary steps before your guests arrival will alleviate stress. You want your guests to feel welcomed and want to come back.
