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15 Nov
The holidays are here! For many of us, that means hosting friends and family in our homes. Whether our holiday guests are visiting for one night or an entire week, we all want our loved ones to feel comfortable and cherished during their stay.
Spending time with family and friends who live out of town is one of our favorite things to do during the holiday season, but we understand how stressful being the host or hostess can be. There are numerous things to plan from meals to entertainment, so we want to help you take the guess work out of one of the most important aspects of hosting out-of-towners— the guest room.
Whether your guests are sleeping in a spare bedroom or your transformed office, these are the top 10 things you can do to help them feel at-home.
Tip #1: Refresh the Room
If you’re like us, your guest rooms aren’t attended to as frequently as your regular living spaces are. When preparing for visitors, make sure to give your spare bedroom a thorough cleaning. Check in storage areas to make sure they are tidy and clutter-free, replace light bulbs and change the sheets. Nothing says comfort like the scent of freshly laundered bed linens!
Tip #2: Add Extras
Let you visitors personalize the amount of bedding they use by storing extra blankets and pillows in a closet or chest within the room. This way, they can easily add or remove linen based on their comfort-level and the room temperature.
Tip #3: Display the Bathroom Essentials
Making you bathroom feel like it belongs in a luxury hotel is simple! Whether your holiday vacationers are using an ensuite bathroom or one that’s shared, keep it stocked with the essentials: extra towels, washcloths and toilet paper. You can also keep travel-friendly toiletries on-hand for those who like to pack light. In addition to our BeautyPrep Mini skin care products, may we suggest having mini versions of the below on-hand?
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash
- Razors and shaving cream
- Feminine products, if necessary
- Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash
Tip #4: Go Green
Nothing brings life to a room more than plants. If you love the scent of freshly cut flowers, head to your local florist (or grocery store) and pick up a bouquet of whatever is in season. Otherwise, we recommend choosing easy-to-maintain succulents or house plants, that will last year-round and help energize the atmosphere.
Tip #5: Light the Way
Since your guests aren’t as adept at navigating your house as you are, help them get around safely at night with motion-activated night lights in your hallways, bathroom and bedrooms. You can even place one by the entrance to your kitchen for the midnight snackers.
Tip #6: Get in the Holiday Spirit
Get your loved ones into the celebratory mood with seasonal décor. For fall and winter, we love decorating with pine cones, moss, pomegranates, squashes and gourds. In the spring and winter, we are all about fresh blossoms. This season, make their holiday stay extra special by surprising them with token gifts like a small box of chocolates or a gift card upon arrival. Check out our holiday gift guide for some beautiful gifts under $15.
Tip #7: Stock the Fridge
Before your guests arrive, make sure to ask if they have any food allergies or preferences. Having a few of their favorite snacks or comfort foods will help show them you mean it when you say, “mi casa es su casa!”
Tip #8: Plan According to Age
It can be the simple things that truly make your guests feel at-home. When picking up reading material or in-room activities for your guests, keep their age in mind. Try leaving some magazines or books on the nightstand your grandparents or a stuffed animal on the bed for your friend’s daughter. In doing so, you have the opportunity to brighten their day and make them feel like you truly thought about their needs.
Tip #9: Indulge the Senses
Make your guest room a haven by activating all five senses. Indulge their sense of touch, smell, sight, taste and hearing with soft linens, scented candles or aroma-therapeutic Hydration Spray Minis, decorative accents, snacks and water in the room, and a radio or Bluetooth stereo.
Tip #10: Final Touches
Comfort is in the little details! Anything from a bedside lamp and an alarm clock to hangers and a towel hook can take your guest area from being just another room to becoming the homey retreat you and your guests will love.
Share Your Hosting Tips
In a comment below, tell us how you make your holiday guests feel comfortable and loved in your home.
The post 10 Ways to Prep for Holiday Guests appeared first on jane iredale.
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