Your Guide to Making Guests Feel Extra Welcome This Holiday Season
The holidays are on their way, with them, the most important gift of them all – your guests! Has it been a while since you had company over? Avoid making your guests’ comfort feel like a last minute consideration (especially after a long trip!)
The Guest Room
To make your guest feel most at home, ensure your guest room is cleaned, possibly with extra space for your friend or family member to unpack their bags. The bed should be made with fresh EVERYTHING – including pillow cases, sheets, etc. If you don’t have a guest room, you can offer own bedroom if possible to ensure your guest feels extra cared for.
Guest Room Checklist:
New/clean sheets
Space to unpack their belongings
Temperature – doublecheck the thermostat and make sure it’s not too hot or cold!
Your Bathrooms
This one is more self explanatory, but it’s important enough to mention regardless: Your bathroom should definitely be clean for your guest! Imagine you’re giving your guest their very own hotel experience at your home. Replace towels, stock toilet paper, and clean everywhere in between. Make sure your shower is also stocked, with shampoo and soap – even if your guest brings their own, it helps to show you planned for their stay.
Bathroom Checklist:
Shampoo
Toothpaste
Fresh towels
Hand/body soap
Sparkly clean surfaces
Scented candle, essential oil diffuser, or incense
Set Up Your Space for Easy Snacking
You’re not you when you’re hungry. You can wow your visitor with a curated food display, or leave out their favorite food to nibble on as dinner plans unfold.
List of fun and easy snacks to have ready for your guest:
Wine and cheese
Charcuterie spread
Holiday themed cookies
Homemade guacamole with chips
A bowl of fresh fruit - blueberries, strawberries, sliced kiwi, etc.
Make Their Morning
If you’re a morning person, this one will come naturally. Take the opportunity to wake up before your guest and fix up a classic breakfast meal! Whether or not your guest is an early riser, they’ll love waking up to the smell of fresh coffee brewing.
You’ll want to stay stocked up on these breakfast essentials:
Eggs
Coffee/tea
Bacon/sausage
Yogurt+ fruit parfait
Pancakes (don’t forget the blueberries, bananas, or chocolate chips 😉)
It’s Cleaning Time
Plan a day or two ahead and give your house a good deep clean.
Vacuum + mop floors
Clean all surfaces, including windows
Empty out all garbages and recyclables
Accommodate Their Expectations
Is your guest flying in from a different country? State? Staying at your new home for the first time? You should find out what your guest wants to do and gauge the amount of entertainment they expect during their visit. A host’s responsibilities could vary depending on where you live; does your visitor expect a fast-paced city trip full of sightseeing? Do they want a relaxed escape to the suburbs with quality time spent with family? Have a few ideas ready for your guest so that no time is wasted during their stay!
Being a host during the holidays isn’t easy, but it can be rewarding. We hope this guide helped better prepare you for your annual holiday visitors!
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