Preparing for Guests
The summer months bring on more hosting opportunities and being ready for them can feel overwhelming, but preparing ahead of time always makes the visit and time with your guests more pleasant and memorable.
I recently hosted a young woman from Spain who was doing a research project at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was here for a month and if you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I’ve been under construction. My primary objective was to get her room set up and looking good – despite what the rest of my house might look like.
I purchased new bedding and ordered twin beds with frames, box springs and mattresses (something you hopefully won’t have to do. I also found a great night stand and mirror on Facebook Marketplace, ordered a full length mirror and a new area rug for her room. I repurposed a bureau that I had used as a tv stand in my previous residence. Honestly, it’s the nicest room in my home . . . so far!
The en suite bathroom was cleaned up, given a new shower curtain, wooden toilet seat, area rug and mirror. The gut renovation of that bathroom will come in the fall, but for now, it sufficed after a good scrubbing.
Here are a few ways you can anticipate the needs of your guest and make their stay a great one and not be asked for things continually throughout a visit.
Everyone on occasion forgets a toothbrush or toothpaste. Leave a small vanity basket out with some essentials – just in case they forgot something. If you’re ever around a Dollar Tree – they offer an affordable bevy of items to choose from each for $1.25 (inflation has hit everywhere)!
Frame your internet name and password and leave it on a bureau or nightstand where it’s visible and will allow them access to your internet. Framing it is a nice touch and will allow you to keep it there for future guests as well and not be asked by everyone who enters your home what your network name and password is.
Provide water bottles and even a Keurig machine and mini fridge if you have the room. It’s a hotel kind of touch that will be appreciated even if they don’t use it. Amazon.com: Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker, Black: Home & Kitchen
Leave towels out for each person including a bath, hand towels and face cloth. Be sure your bottles of shampoo and conditioner, body wash and soap are filled and easily accessible in the bathtub or shower. I live in an older building with bathrooms needing to be redone . . . someday. Until then, I purchased this item to use to hold essential shower/tub related items. Ewinvos Acrylic Shower Caddy Shelves, Clear Slanted Shampoo Holder for Shower Wall Mounted, Transparent Adhesive Shower Rack Bathroom Organizer, No Drilling and Rustproof, Sturdy and Durable (2 Pack)
A full length mirror is a nice touch so someone can do a full check of themselves before heading out. You can find very inexpensive ones from Target and Walmart, or more fancy ones online or other retailers depending on your taste and budget. Here’s one I purchased from Walmart that looks nice and is reasonably priced. Vlush Full Length Mirror, 65"x22" Arched Floor Mirror, Full Body Mirror, Freestanding Arched-Top Mirror, Wall-Mounted Mirror with Aluminum Alloy Frame (Black) - Walmart.com
Invest in nice bedding. Bamboo sheets are so comfortable. Having an extra pillow, blanket or throw can also be nice for your guest(s).
Fresh flowers are an added bonus and makes everyone feel great. A plant would do as well.
I love a diffuser that you can set and forget. Here are two that are my recent favorites. Amazon.com: Smart Waterless Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, Professional Portable Nebulizing Scent Air Machine, Waterless Plug-in Aroma Diffuser for Essential Oils, 100ml Nebulizer for Home, Large Room or Amazon.com: Enviroscent Non-Toxic Plug-in (2-Piece Set) Room & Home Air Freshener Kit (Spring Water + Lotus) Infused with Essential Oils | 1 Refillable Plug Hub & 1 Liquidless Scent Pod
My recent guest has left now but I’m so glad her room is ready to go for the next person who might find their way into my home. I’m also grateful that I know most of what someone might need will already be waiting for them!
Happy Hosting!
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