The above answers are all good..I'd like to tell you to let them help any way that you can...mix a salad..set the table..clear the table..pour the wine..get the glasses out for the wine..or for the water..
get out the coffee cups and pour the coffee..anything so they feel helpful...How do I make my house guest feel comfortable?
One of my favorite things my sister did when I stayed with her was that she not only had a couple of empty dresser drawers for me, but she had the most incredible set of fluffy towels - just the bath towel, hand towel and rag - stacked up, topped with a potpourri sachet envelope, and it was all tied up with a ribbon.
Make sure there's an incredibly plush rug for when your guest gets out of the shower.
Put together a little basket of goodies and leave in the room - M%26amp;Ms, small bag of potato chips, cookies, a couple bottles of water, mints, etc.
Light a good-smelling candle in the room, early enough for it to really permeate the air.
Magazines and Coffee table-type books, especially local publications, that they can look at before going to sleep.
As for food, if you're a member of Sam's or Costco, they have incredible lasagnas and other stuff to just heat. Walmart probably has some as well. Or quick casseroles that you can make ahead of time and either cook or reheat when it's time to eat.
Make the room look as welcoming as possible with simple soft bedding in solids, no wild colors; fluffy towels, a basket of soap, shampoo, conditioner choices and a small blow dryer. I ask if my guests have preferences regarding regular and decaf coffee and if they eat breakfast. If you are planning on long days of sightseeing, it might be better to plan to eat out. Otherwise, prepare something ahead of time that just needs to be popped into the oven or on the grill while you relax over a glass of wine.
Just adding a few ideas as there is very good suggestion here.
quiche/casserole dishes is a easy prep for a breakfast food and microwavable too.
I like this apple/sausage coffee cake for my hubby on a busy week.
Maps
pencil, paper for notes
directions to convenient store or other stores for personal care of favorite foods from your location.
Directions to perhaps a chamber of commerce or visitor station. from your location.
Channel guide for your tv station area is helpful.
Even just a radio/tv station for traffic is so awesome.
Night lights help, I like the ones with a off switch.
Neck pillows,reading light,alarm clock
Maybe check you laundry room.
Check bulbs
vents in the room.
drapes and or blinds in guest room
Hint:
A chair is enough for a small room it helps with dressing and writing.
no need for a full desk
Plenty of hangers/drawer space, baskets or jewelry key tray.
Have fun, you will be a great host!
Just provide them with clean towels %26amp; washcloths. You might buy a couple of extra toothbrushes in case they forget theirs. Make sure that there is plenty of shampoo, soap, toothpaste %26amp; especially toilette paper in the bathroom. Maybe a couple of magazines in the bedroom if they want something to read before bed. Otherwise, just tell them to help themselves to anything in the kitchen %26amp; watch whatever the want to on TV.
As quick meal, buy pre-made potato salad, chips %26amp; grill up some burgers %26amp; dogs outside. Spaghetti %26amp; tomato sauce with a salad is pretty effortless. Ordering pizza is a good crowd pleaser, too.
My biggest stressor is cooking breakfast for a crowd. It's hard to get bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc. all out at the same time so that people can eat it all while it's still hot. My advice is to go out for breakfast.
I've hosted many guests %26amp; have been a guest many times. A clean towel %26amp; a bed are really all you need.
A kitchen chair to sit on while dressing / undressing. .
An empty dresser drawer or two.
Some empty hangers and space in the closet.
Easy food - anything that you can make in a crock pot. Macaroni salad with chicken, turkey, ham, or tuna. Sandwiches, chips, and potato salad. Cake, cookies, or pies for dessert - can be made ahead and frozen. Kind of hard to to advise on food, because some people are quirky about what they'll eat.
Fresh flowers, tissues, fresh towels, a chair or stool, some recent magazines, a good reading lamp.
Get them what they need serve dinner a coftey chair drinks bean bags or mmagize newspaper
First and foremost welcome your guest with open arms and tell them to make themselves at home. Show them to their room and tell them to let you know if there is anything at all that they need during their stay.
Our guest room is also on the smaller side, but we have a comfortable bed with several pillows to choose from, multiple blankets in case they get cold at night, we have an over the door towel rack that we put clean towels and wash cloths on, we also have a full length mirror behind the door, a good reading lamp by the bed, an alarm clock on the night stand, a television with remote and DVD player with an assortment of movies (some people have insomnia when they travel), we also have a puzzle book with crosswords and word-finds, a variety of magazines, and lastly closet and drawer space so they can actually unpack rather than living out of their suitcase.
Our guest bath has things like cotton swabs, antacids, ibuprofen, aspirin, or tylenol, tampons, pads and pantiliners (just in case), toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoos and conditioners, and a variety of bar soaps and lotions. Even if they don't use any of it, at least it is there and they know they are welcome to it.
As for food...I would pre-make lasagna, or chicken taco filler for nachos, or spaghetti sauce with meatballs, something that can be easily reheated and served with minimal prep except for maybe throwing garlic bread in the oven. You could also do full meals in the crock pot and they will be ready when you get back from a day's adventure. For my mom, we always make our coffee extra strong and have her kind of creamer on hand before she comes. I would definitely find out ahead of time if there are any food allergies to consider!!
No comments:
Post a Comment