How To Be A Gracious Host?

You can make a particularly lovely stay for your house guests quite easily. Begin with cleaning your home the day before their arrival. Always start with the bathrooms and make them as clean as a good hotel. Set out fresh towels on the counter as this will make it clear these are the ones your guests may use. If you wish to add a special touch, set out a fresh bar of soap and guest toiletries as if this were a spa.

Next, prepare their bedroom or sleeping space. Remove clutter from the area and make the bed neatly with clean sheets. It is helpful to guests to provide them with a little storage, such as an empty drawer and closet space, and a small table clear of clutter. If you wish, you can leave a small welcoming gift for them beside their bed, such as a few chocolates. Many guests will need an alarm clock at some point in their stay.

If your guests arrive in the evening or after long travel, ask them first if they are tired or hungry. Do not keep them up if they are exhausted.

Your guests might rise much earlier than you or later. Prepare for either event. Let them know if they rise first they are welcome to make themselves tea or coffee or have anything else they wish in the kitchen. Set their likely needs out for them so they can find them.

If you wish, you can even do as they do at many bed and breakfasts and prepare them a hospitality tray. This is a tray that has on it packets of tea, coffee, sometimes hot chocolate, bottles of water, and sealed convenience packets of crackers, cookies, or oatmeal. It will also have a cup and spoon, and if it will be kept in the bedroom, it will have an electric kettle. Cover the tray with a tea towel to prevent dust.

Try to be sensitive to the needs of your guests during their stay. They may have other activities planned, but it will be enjoyable to plan some activities together that you both will enjoy.