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Stay Over Guests?

Christine's "Helpful Hints to Make Your Stay-Over Guests Welcome."

The holiday's are upon us and many of us will be traveling, while others will be entertaining those friends and family travelers in their own homes. To help make your "out-of-towners" feel welcome anytime of year, we have some simple suggestions that will help make you the perfect host or hostess.

  • Tip 1 - It is important to prepare the family for house guests, especially if rearranging sleeping quarters. This makes for smoother sailing when children know before hand their rooms have been turned into guest accommodations. Discuss etiquette for access to "their" rooms while guests are visiting.
  • Tip 2 - Fluffing up the pillows in the old spare room is wonderful, however, make sure your guest isn't allergic to grandmas' old feather quilt. Have extra blankets and pillows on hand. Dryer sheets and fabric softeners, potpourris, even scented candles can trigger asthmatic reactions.
    My friend Dolores suffers from asthma. I remove any scented items from her guest room in advance of her visit. I clean the room using only water and special treated cleaning cloths and I wash the bedding and towels with mild low scent soap.
  • Tip 3 - Family pets may be a problem for guests. Pets may not trigger any allergic reaction however, some guests may not find your precious pet lizard as adorable as you do. Animals can react oddly to strangers, be alert signs of aggression. Some people are not use to animals being present and might accidentally trip on curious small pets. Give your guests and your pets frequent breaks from each other.
  • Tip 4 - Find a little closet space so your guests can hang up an item or two. Empty a top dresser drawer while you are at it.
    I usually live out of my suitcase but some rooms are so small that luggage on the floor makes it impossible to move around the room.
    If you have guests often, invest in a folding luggage holder (like hotels have), it's a really nice touch.
    Make room on your bedroom and bath counter tops for toiletries. Put place mats on top of areas that might be damaged by water rings, cosmetic, perfumes or aftershave spills.
  • Tip 5 - Make your guests feel comfortable by explaining their temporary living quarters. No one likes to be surprised by alarms going off in the middle of the night by opening a window for a little fresh air.
    Inviting your guests to come and go as they please may need special instruction. Have spare keys ready and give access to house alarm codes. (Call your alarm company and your neighbors informing them of your house guests and their names).
    Provide your guests with your name, address and phone numbers written out on a pocket-size card in case of an emergency. Supply phone numbers to reach you when not together.
  • Tip 6 - Avoiding Mealtime stress. Inquire ahead regarding special diets. Check for certain food likes or dislikes and especially allergies (like peanuts, eggs and shell-fish). Often the first meal served to your guests is breakfast - it can be a challenge. Before you get up at the crack of dawn to make a special six course meal only to hear "ah, I never eat breakfast." Find out, if breakfast is a full meal or a quick coffee. Have on hand preferences to: tea, coffee reg or decaf, sugar, sweetener (blue, pink or yellow), milk (what %) or half and half - it's a nice touch.
  • Tip 7 - Provide your guests with few extra considerations and amenities such as: mouthwash, tissues, extra toilet paper, disposal bathroom cups, wastebaskets, even a plumber's helper (just in case). Set up the guest room with an alarm clock, reading light, and a few magazines on their special hobby. Illuminate stairs, paths to the bath and kitchen areas and be sure to have an auto night-light in the bathroom.
  • Tip 8 - For simple outing planning - Write up a check list of "things to do before they arrive" this will serve you well in scheduling your time together. Stop by the local visitor centers and pick up copies of things to do and see, a local map, and what events are scheduled during your guests visits. Also save your list of guests preferences for the next time they visit.
  • Tip 9 - Prepare a guide to your electronics and home appliances: how to use the remote controls to turn on the TV, VCR, DVD, etc. Explain how to use the microwave, and other kitchen appliances as well as the washer and dryer. If part of your guest list includes children, have on-hand a few age appropriate movies and games.

Filling the house with people and sharing traditions is part of the holiday festivities. The extra care you take to share your hospitality, it will be appreciated by all!

Christine Columbus

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Please let me know how I can assist you with your travel needs.

Cheers, Annette
President & Co-founder



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