Practicing Hospitality:
Regardless of your budget, it’s the thought that counts
Do you have overnight guests coming for the holidays? Don’t panic. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart or spend a fortune to make your home feel warm and inviting. Here’s how…
Pretend for a moment that you’re the guest. What makes you feel welcome and comfortable? What makes a room feel inviting? Consider the following ideas and select the ones that make sense given your timeframe and budget. Remember, your guests are not coming to inspect your home; they are coming to spend time with you.
FREE
- A clean space. If the guest room has been serving as a “junk room,” then put on your favorite jazzy tunes and declutter it (including the knick knacks.)
- Closet space. Make sure at least half the hanging space is free for your guest’s clothes, and have hangers available (preferably wooden).
- Extra blankets. Pull them from your closet just in case a guest becomes a little chilly. Wash them if you have time.
- Pitcher of fresh, cold water with lemon slices and a water glass.
- Soft, festive music. Pull in one of your CD players and a stack of your favorite holiday albums.
- Books and magazines. Choose selections from your bookshelf, along with a Bible, and place them on the nightstand.
- Decorative bowl to contain keys, jewelry, pocket change, and so on.
- Mint on the pillow. Place it beside a handwritten note welcoming a guest to your home.
$25 OR LESS
- Basket with shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, and a hair dryer. (That’s how hotels make you feel welcome.)
- Fresh coat of paint. This alone will brighten up any room.
- Reading light or table lamp.
- Towel and washcloth. Purchase a fluffy white set and leave it on your guest’s bed.
- Radio alarm clock.
- Fresh flowers in a vase. Add flower food to the water to keep them fresh throughout your guest’s stay.
- Linen spray. A fragrant spritz on the bed sheets will make the room smell inviting.
- A strand of white Christmas lights. Drape them gently around the window or a piece of furniture for a festive touch.
$50 OR LESS
- New linens. You can find deals on quality sheets at discount retailers.
- An ironing board and iron. Store these in the closet so your guest won’t have to traipse out to the laundry room.
- A warm robe. Try a thick terry cloth version.
- Fluffy, hypoallergenic pillows. Your allergy-prone guests will thank you.
- Fresh curtains. These will help your guest feel a sense of privacy.
- A spa basket filled with bubble bath, scented lotions, a loofa sponge, and so on.
SPLURGE
- A cozy down comforter.
- New mattress. If you wouldn’t want to sleep on the guest bed, it’s time to splurge.
- Cotton sheets with a high thread count. Pure luxury!
- A television and DVD player.
No Guest Room? No worries!
Even if your “guest room” is occupied by a child (like ours) or by your office furniture, you still can make your guests feel at home. Here’s how:
- Turn one of your children’s rooms into a temporary guest room. Your child can bunk with another sibling or on a pallet in your room.
- Create a guest haven in your den. A hideaway couch is suitable for any sleepover. Pay attention to your guest’s privacy and bathroom needs when choosing this option.
- If good friends are away for the holidays, inquire about having your guests stay in their home.
- Turn any room into an instant guest room with a comfortable air mattress.
Source: An article by Jane Jarrell, author of Simple Hospitality, in an old issue of HomeLife magazine. Reprinted with permission.
