Getting Your House Ready For Guests

Make Room For Them

Getting a space ready for your guests means more than having the room clean and the bed made. Set up the space so they will have their own space to retreat to. Find a small table or television tray to set up as a luggage rack for them to set their baggage on. Clean out the dresser to give them a place to put their clothes. Find the best sheets and blankets to put on the bed. Be sure there is an alarm clock, a Bluetooth speaker or other sort of radio, and possibly a sound machine especially if you live in a different type of area as they do. Also have plenty of electrical outlets available for them to plug their electronic devices in. If the room has an ensuite, stock it with clean towels, full rolls of toilet paper, and soaps both at the sink and in the shower. Also, if there is a television available, change the batteries in the remote and leave instructions how to use it.

Spruce Up Your House

Your guests will use more than just the bedroom designated to them. Clean the house thoroughly and put extra clutter away. Invest in fireplace inserts to give your home an extra festive touch as well as add warmth to the room. Have things out for them to enjoy such as books, newspapers, books, and games. Write down your WiFi password and share it with them so that they have it on hand when they want to connect to the internet. If your visitors include little ones, put out toys and other activities to keep them busy. Also consider finding outdoor games for them to do to burn off their energy.

Arrange Meal Times

Find out what your guests’ typical daily schedule is so that you can accommodate your meals for them. Find out when they eat and try to adjust your meal times if they are different. Communicate with them to see if there are any dietary needs or allergies. Leave snacks out on the counter such as fruit or wrapped cereal bars for easy grab and go. You should have simple to prepare breakfasts such as rolls or cereal for those who may wake up early and want to get a start on their day. Also, show them where you keep the other food and drinks and let them help themselves when they are hungry. If they are stopping by while the weather is warm instead of the holidays, get your grill out and serve dinner outside. Arrange plants and lights around your deck to add to the picnic atmosphere or to have a fun spot to socialize outdoors.

Spend Quality Time With Them

When you are discussing your guest’s arrival, check your schedule to ensure that your plans are free or can be adjusted. If there will be an issue, inform them before they finalize their trip. See if you can get a vacation from work. If that is difficult to do, explain the situation to your visitors ahead of time. Once they arrive, you should devote your time to them. Talk about what they would like to do and what they expect from their stay. Record what you and your guests will do on a calendar so that you know where everyone will be and what time they will be there. However, be sure to leave time to sit at home so you can visit and enjoy each other’s company.

Make Their Trip Memorable

If your visitors are there to see you specifically, arrange for things to do as a group to keep them entertained. Plan to see the famous sights in your community if it is their first time in your town. However, also take them to see the places you enjoy such as your favorite local restaurant or museum. Coordinate your schedules so that you know when they want to spend time by themselves and when they want to spend time with you. Organize items they may need for their excursions like umbrellas, toys for the park, or towels for the pool. Leave sections of your day alone for everyone to rest or catch a quick nap. Set aside time in the evening to share memories of the day’s events and to play a game or do a puzzle together. Getting a chance to reconnect with out-of-town guests can make your day brighter, especially if they come during the holidays. Preparing your house to make it feel like home for them will encourage them to come back to visit more often.