Simple steps to delight guests in your home
It’s the season to show your friends and family how much you love them, and there’s no better way than to invite them into your home and make a fuss of them.
You get to spend lots of quality time with the people you care about – and best of all, you don’t have to go anywhere! But since your guests might be travelling a long way, you’ll want them to feel special and cared for when they arrive.
A bit of preparation can ensure they have a memorable stay: people feel most welcome when you can anticipate what they’ll need, so they don’t have to go through the awkwardness of asking.
You don’t need to break the bank or spend hours getting prepared. Just try these simple tips to show your guests that you’re not just ready for them, you’re delighted to see them.
Make sure you have all the necessities ready
It can feel a little awkward for a guest if the host immediately starts dashing around to get the room ready. So try to make sure the bed is made with clean sheets and clean, fluffy towels laid out ready to welcome them as soon as they arrive.
And if you’ve washed your fabrics using Lenor Unstoppables, now available in sophisticated new packs, your guests will be greeted with a fresh burst of fragrance – even if the towels and linens have been in the cupboard for up to 12 weeks.
Add those little touches that show you care
If you want to make your guests know that you’re happy to see them, it’s all in the little details. Pop some fresh flowers in a vase in their room, and they’ll really feel like someone special.
Save up some sample size toiletries and leave them in a basket in the bathroom, so guests can feel like they’re staying at a posh hotel. Or how about leaving them a pair of slippers each, so they can really get comfortable?
Organise their space
Living out of a suitcase is no fun – your clothes get rumpled and it’s impossible to find anything. So help your guests get settled in by making it easy for them to organise their things.
A folding luggage rack makes it easy to unpack and gives your guests somewhere to put their bulky bags (plus, you can pop it out of sight when they’ve gone). Make sure there is plenty of space in the wardrobe and drawers, and that there are hangers ready for use.
Stock up with snacks
After a long journey, chances are that your guests are in need of refreshment. But they might feel reluctant to ask for a snack or a drink, expecting to take their lead from you.
Make it easy on them by stocking the fridge with things that they love and telling them to help themselves. And place a carafe of water in their room, so that they won’t need to go hunting for something to drink if they wake up thirsty in the night.
Take care of the tech
These days we can’t travel without our phones, tablets and other devices – they’re the things that help us feel at home wherever we are. So making sure that your guests can upload pictures of their trip or check their travel plans is a thoughtful touch.
Try leaving a little card in the room with details of the wifi network name and password so they can log in without having to ask. And if you’ve got some old phone chargers, keep them handy: someone always forgets to pack theirs!
What’s your favourite way to make your guests happy? Share your suggestions in the comments below.