Having overnight guests can be a lot of fun, but it can be stressful too. There are a lot of things you have to do before they can come! From cleaning the bathrooms to changing the sheets on the guest bed and preparing meals, there’s a lot to do to get ready.
It’s good to get through all the basics, but if you really want your overnight guests to feel right at home, there are some things you can do to go above and beyond so they feel welcome. After all, the more welcome they feel, the more likely they are to come back and visit again!
Give Them a Fancy Treat
Meal prepping is essential when having overnight guests. It means making a list of ingredients you’ll need to make meals, making as much as you can ahead of time, and stocking up on extras, like snack foods and drinks. If you really want to go above and beyond, treat them to something fancy.
For example, go shopping at an online French grocery store weeks before their arrival and buy a bag of madeleines you can place in their room for them to snack on. Fancy chocolates are always a great way to celebrate a friend or family member staying the night, or you can make something homemade, like cookies or a cheesecake for them to enjoy after dinner.
Put Extras in the Bedroom
There are some basic things you need to do to make sure their sleep space is comfortable. For example, you’ll want to wash the bedding, make sure they have a pillow, and give them a blanket. However, it takes a lot more to get a good night’s sleep than just providing the basics.
Your guest will really appreciate extras in the room that can help them create the perfect sleep environment while they’re away from home. A few products that can help your guests fall asleep faster include:
- White noise machine
- Fan
- Ear plugs
- Eye mask
- Blackout curtains
- Wake up therapy lamp and alarm clock
- Dimmable light bulbs
- Plug-in night light
Give Them a Private Space to Call Their Own
Ideally, you have an extra bedroom for your guest to call their home away from home, but you aren’t alone if you don’t have the space. That doesn’t mean your guest has to feel like they’re always in the way! There are other ways you can comfortably host a guest without a guest bedroom.
Giving them a private space to call their own is essential. That might mean setting up a partition or a divider to separate their sleep space, letting them have one of your bathrooms all to themselves, or telling them they are welcome to use the sunporch whenever they would like. That way, they feel like they have a little personal space, even if they’re sleeping on a foldaway bed in the living room.
Talk Schedules
Everyone has a daily routine. It’s a powerful way to take control of your day, but things can get sticky when schedules conflict. Do yourself and your guest a favor by talking about schedules when they first arrive.
What time do they normally get up? When do you take the kids to school? Will they be around for dinner? These are all things that can cause frustration if they aren’t ironed out ahead of time.
If you really want to go above and beyond, write down your schedule or show them where to find your family calendar. That way they know when you are going to be back from soccer practice.
Do Something Personal
Everyone wants to feel seen. Making your guest feel comfortable and seen is especially important, as they may feel like they are inconveniencing you by staying in your home. Cleaning, cooking, and preparing their sleep area can go a long way towards them feeling comfortable, but it’s even better if you can do something personal.
For example, make the coffee maker easily accessible and buy their favorite blend if they enjoy a cup in the morning. Put a vase of their favorite flowers on the dining room table, have a picture of their family framed and displayed in the guest room, or embroider a pillowcase with their initials that they can take home.
If you want to have guests in your home, it’s important to make them feel welcome. Make the bed and make sure you have plenty of snacks, but these tips will make sure they truly feel welcome throughout the duration of their stay.
