As friends and family come to town to stay with you, having a few simple things prepared in advance can help make their stay relaxed and less harried for you.

  1. If you have the luxury of a guest room or cottage prepare it in advance by giving it a good cleaning.
  2. Provide blankets and clean linens for your guest.
  3. If you have a guest room, check the light bulbs to make sure they work.
  4. Provide some hangers or hooks for their clothes.
  5. Provide soap, shampoo, conditioner & toothpaste. If you have a guest bathroom, towels and bathroom essentials can be set out for your guest in the bathroom. If you don’t have a separate guest bathroom you can prepare a basket with the necessary items and give your guest a spot to hang their towels.
  6. If you don’t have a room for your guest make some space where they can keep their belongings and provide them with clean linens, blankets and a basket of bathroom essentials.
  7. Provide a night-light so your guest can find their way in the dark.
  8. Provide some reading material and or a television or radio.
  9. Bottled water and some fresh flowers add a nice touch.
  10. Provide information on the area: tourist guide, local paper, etc.
  11. Show your guest your home and where the kitchen essentials are.

The more your guests have a spot of their own, the more they will feel at home and the less likely they will feel like they are in the way.