So what do you do when company’s coming? Perhaps even your in-laws? How do you prep a lovely bed and bath without a four-day investment of time, money and stress?
Well, I’m not one to really stress over having company or putting on the ritz for family and friends who stay with us. Those who come to visit us feel welcome, I do think and comfortable in our guestrooms as well. Both of our guestrooms have adjacent bathrooms and I make sure there are clean sheets on the beds, clean towels, soap and shampoo available to them. And the rooms are plenty comfortable on a daily basis, so I don’t have to do a lot when we do have company. I would give the room an extra dusting with company coming. 🙂
But, I can think of a few things that I could do, but don’t necessarily do on a regular basis when company’s coming, so I’m taking notes from myself on this one. How about these 6 things:
- Set a vase of fresh flowers on the dresser to welcome your guests
- Have a few Dove chocolates or Hershey’s Kisses in a pretty dessert plate on the nightstand. That’s always a nice touch. Who doesn’t love to get chocolate at bedtime?
- Select a few books and magazines and have those available on the nightstand as well
- Provide travel sizes of toothpaste, mouthwash and have an extra toothbrush on hand just in case.
- Have a nice clock radio/CD player in the room and have some soothing CD’s available for your guests. Maybe a little smooth Jazz would fit the bill.
- Give them their own coffee mug from the kitchen so that they know which one to use for the morning cup of java.
That’s what comes to mind off the top of my head.
Can you think of more to add to the list?
Hi Rhoda
As well as the things you mentioned, I always have extra nice hangers in the closet so that they can hang their cloths. I make sure they know there is an extra blanket in the closet as well as extra pillows since some people like to sleep with more than one. I put a couple of bottles of water in the room.
Hugs!
Kat
We throw up a tent in the yard and maybe order a proti potty.
Can you guess why no one wants to visit us?
I like to make sure there are clothes hangers in the closets, a clock & alarm in case they don’t have any with them in the room, a chair is nice if there’s room with out making things crowded. On the first evening I make sure there is a soft light on & the bed covers neatly pulled back. A vase of fresh cut flowers is a good idea or maybe a cute dish of chocolates & a little wine set with wine.
I like to have a basket of magazines and books in the guest room. I also leave bottles of water, fresh fruit and a couple of chocolates in the room.
hugs, Sherry
Thanks for the fab ideas! Here are a few I would add to the list:
Put out a stack of magazines or a few books, especially ones that relate to your city if your guest is from out of town.
Another handy trip for an out-of-towner? Local goodies, like locally made chocolate or lotion.
A bottle of water, with an optional packet of flavored vitamin drink mix to add. You want your guest to be in tip top shape for all the sightseeing you’ll be doing!
Pre-stamped postcards & a fancy pen for letters home.
Ooh, a mint on the pillow would be a cute touch!
I’m in the mood to entertain! 🙂
I like pretty little soaps with a washcloth decoratively arranged around them.
I have a small dish in each of my guest rooms with packaged nuts, granola bars, and candy.
I also go to the local tourist center and have all the current attraction pamphlets and activities available for them in case they are needing ideas on how to spend time.
Extra towels in the closet, drawers available for using, a comfy chair with ottoman or stool for reading, a fan or heater available-
We have so many guests coming thru (3 different sets just this week) -so want them to feel at home!
I do like to keep a guest book to record their visit in our home too.
When they get ready to leave I give them a cute bag filled with bottled water and snacks and maybe a little gift.
bee blessed
mary
For our guests I mangle (iron) the top sheet and pillow cases, depending on the time of year I will double sheet the bed (top sheet) under the quilt. A chair to relax or a bench at the end of the bed. We have a TV (w/channel guide) in the guest rooms as someone always likes a last look at the news at night or a first look at the weather in the morning. I have a vanity in each room for the ladies, with a makeup mirror, hair drier, lotions and tissues. Fresh flowers, a few mags and books, an empty closet with hangers, and for my BBF and hubby a gift bag on the bed. There is a main bathroom with two sinks and enough room in the center for needed items. My BFF and I collect old luggage IF it has the owners name and address tag and other original items. Currently the main guest bath has a vintage suitcase given to me by my BFF. It is stocked with all the essentials needed, and a picture of my BFF and family pinned in the lid. The bathtub area has extra micro fiber hair towels and whimsical shower caps. And always fresh bars of soap. We enjoy taking care of our guests and anticipating their needs. An extra bathroom in the bonus room and a refrigerator take care of other needs.
I buy a variety of current good books at Goodwill and keep them in the guestroom. If a guest starts a book and wants to finish it, I tell them to keep it. Generally, I can find a replacement easily enough. I also keep fluffy white terry robes in the room, a pitcher & glasses for water, an electric kettle with everything they need to make tea (cups, spoons, napkins, sweeteners) if they wake up early and want something before emerging from their room, fresh fruit & snacks in a basket, fresh sheets that have been hung outdoors on the clothesline, towels/washcloths folded in decorative manner, heating pad if it’s chilly, pen & paper, empty drawers for their belongings, hangers in the closet, an iron, pamphlets for things to do in the area, ferry schedules, framed photos of the guest; in the bathroom: hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, soaps, floss, deodorant, feminine products, extra tp. We tell them this is their home for the time they are here and that they must help themselves to the fridge & pantry. When they depart, I prepare a sack lunch or snacks for the road since we’re far from the airport. LOVE pampering overnight guests!
Trash can, mirror, extra blanket or throw. Extra hangers & some space in the closet.