Tis the season for visitors and overnight stays, which is a joy if your guests feel at home. Here are some simple ways to help welcome your sleepover guests and make them comfy…
Goody bag: A lovely way to welcome an overnight guest is to leave a goody bag on his/her dresser or nightstand. They don’t have to be elaborate or expensive, and they’re quite fun to create. Fill the bag with gender-appropriate sleepover items, such as one or two magazines (in keeping with your guest’s interests), a sweet or savory treat, some hand lotion, a sleep mask, a travel-size tube of toothpaste and toothbrush…plus a little card wishing your guest “pleasant dreams.”
Water, water everywhere: You can tell your guests to “make themselves at home,” but searching for a drinking glass and filtered water can be an awkward endeavor if they don’t know their way around your kitchen. So provide a pitcher of water and a few glasses in their guest room or a basket of small bottled waters. Water is the most requested item, especially when the house is filled with holiday toddies and tasty treats!
Cold toes solution: Nothing is worse than waking up in a strange, chilly room…and not knowing where the extra blankets are located. Place a blanket (or quilt or additional comforter) on the edge of your guest’s bed or over a chair. A pair of one-size-fits-all slippers are a nice touch, too.
Photos old and new: Your walls and shelves probably have photos of relatives who are unfamiliar to your guests. If you have any photos that include your guests from past holidays or other get-togethers, display them prominently (with your guests’ permission, of course). Instant print cameras still exist, so take some snapshots of new memories! Note: We don’t know anyone who doesn’t like getting their picture taken, but be sure to honor your guests’ wishes.
Comforting aromas: Dab incandescent lightbulbs with peppermint oil. The scent will be “activated” when the lights are turned on, warming the oil and adding a fresh holiday scent. Make sure that the bulbs are off and cold before adding the oil. You can also light pine-scented incense or vanilla candles in your bathrooms (incense fades quickly in large spaces) and entryways. Pleasant holiday scents provide instant comfort for your guests.
Thanks to Julie Edelman, author of The Accidental Housewife: How to Overcome Housekeeping Hysteria One Task at a Time (JuliesTips.com), and TheSpruce.com for help with these tips.
