The holidays are a time for gatherings, and hosting overnight guests can be a part of celebrating the holidays. Creating a comfortable and welcoming guest space can make your visitors feel at home and help ensure their stay is as enjoyable as possible. Additionally, planning ahead means that you can reduce the amount of stress for yourself when your guests arrive.
Here are some tips to prepare the perfect guest space for the holidays.
Choose the Right Space
Start by designating an area where your guests will stay. If you have a guest bedroom, that is perfect! If not, look for a space that will work best for your guest. This could be a home office, living room, or even a finished basement. Ensure the area offers privacy and is free of clutter.
Comfortable Sleeping Space
Invest in quality bedding to give your guests a good night’s sleep. Make sure the bed is clean, well-made, and layered with blankets to accommodate different temperature preferences. Also provide an extra blanket in case your guest needs it.
If you don’t have a guest bed, an air mattress, daybed, or pull-out sofa with plush bedding can work well. Adding extra pillows and throws makes the space feel cozy and inviting. Make sure that the space has adequate lighting, including bedside lamps or a reading light. If the room tends to be chilly or hot, provide a fan, space heater, or extra blankets to allow guests to adjust their comfort level. Before your guests arrive, tidy up the guest space to ensure it feels welcoming and organized. Clear out personal items from the area and provide storage, such as an empty drawer, shelf, or section of a closet. A luggage rack or small table for suitcases can also be a convenient addition.
Fresh Towels and Toiletries
Provide a set of clean towels for each guest, including a bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth.
To make their stay even more comfortable, consider a basket of travel-sized toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, and a spare toothbrush. Including extras like lotion, razors, or cotton pads is a thoughtful touch. Let them know where to find essentials like extra toilet paper.
Plan for Entertainment
If your guests have downtime, provide options to keep them entertained. A TV with streaming services such as YouTube TV, board games, or a deck of cards can be great for relaxation. You can provide your Wifi information on an index card so that guests can connect their devices easily.
Breakfast or Snack Station
It is a nice gesture to provide guests with some foods and drinks that are always available. Depending on if guests will be on their own or if you want to make a self-serve area, you can set up something like a coffee/tea area, snack station, bowls of fruit, and so on.
Add Holiday Cheer
Lastly, you can add some holiday cheer to your guest space to make it a little more festive! A small vase of seasonal flowers, a holiday-themed throw pillow, or a strand of string lights can brighten up the room. A scented candle or diffuser with a light seasonal scent can add a cozy touch (but also be aware of possible sensitivity to scents).
Final Preparations
Before your guests arrive, double-check the space. Dust surfaces, vacuum the floor, and make sure everything is in its place. Test the guest bed to ensure it’s comfortable, and take a moment to relax and envision the space from your guests’ perspective.
By creating a welcoming and thoughtful guest space, you’ll ensure your holiday visitors feel comfortable and cared for, making their stay a highlight of the season.
