Be Our Guest
Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were. - Author Unknown
Opening up your home to overnight guests is one of the kindest gestures one can make. While we all do it with the anticipation of creating fun times and warm memories - how can we make it a reality? How does a gracious host make their home feel welcoming to overnight guests?
Your goal should be to make them feel comfortable. There are a number of small things you can do:
"We dare not trust our wit for making our house pleasant to our friend, so we buy ice cream." Ralph Waldo Emerson
He's so smart, isn't he? You, too, may want to stock the refrigerator with some snacks and treats. Letyour guests know where everything is and that they are free to "help themselves". This makes it easier on everyone.
It’s also marvelously well-mannered to provide a few emergency supplies of creams, soaps, shampoo, conditioners, mouthwash, and toothpaste. Put them all in a large jar or container and put it out in the bathroom so your guests know it’s there for their use. So fun and so thoughtful!
A little space breeds good visits, so no matter how small your guest space is, as long as you have some space dedicated for their use, all is well. Please make sure you have space in a closet so they can hang their belongings – a few wooden hangers is usually all that’s needed.
Prepare their sleeping quarters (even if it’s the couch!) with as luxurious and high-thread count sheets as you can afford, an extra blanket to snuggle with, and an amply supply of pillows. In their area, we suggest making sure there is sufficient lighting for bedtime reading, a working clock, a water carafe and glass, and a vase of flowers or another small gesture (some chocolates maybe) with an accompanying welcome note that says "we’re so glad you are here!".
A great tip is to sleep in your guest space to enlighten you on what else would make your guest’s stay even better. Then all that’s left to do is to enjoy your houseguest.
Have a marvelous week -
