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Making a guest feel comfortable in your home

Nedra recently blogged about guest rooms, so consider this a spin-off: welcoming a guest into your home.

I don’t have a sprawling mansion with fully equipped guest quarters, so I turn to the little things to welcome my friends. I buy fresh flowers and candles to sprinkle throughout my house, especially in the guest room, and I also like to prepare a small basket of toiletries in case they’ve forgotten to bring special items, such as a toothbrush or floss. On their nightstand, I place a bottle of water and possibly some cookies or breakfast bars in case they get the midnight munchies.

Eventually, I’d love to have a large enough guest room to accommodate a reading area and a writing desk, even though I’m reasonably sure it may not be used. I suppose I like the warm, welcoming appearance of those timeless elements.

Now it’s your turn: How do you ensure your guest is comfortable?

Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: "Roominations"

Comments

By Jack

July 24, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

Check them into one of Atlanta’s finest hotels.

By Pam

July 24, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

I provide a brochure about my city that I got from the Tourism Office. I prefer all white towels, wash cloI also keep bottled water and juices chilled in the fridge. A small dish of individually wrapped chocolates are also in the room.

By bronco

July 24, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Up here in the trailer park in North Georgia, we welcome our guests with a small cooler of Bud by the inflatable mattress in the laundry room. A smaller cereal bowl of Whoppers are there also for a little late nite sweets. We also provide a sign for the door handle that says “In case of a Drug Raid we’re visiting”

By Harold

July 24, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

I like to put a small decorative porcelain container of popourii in the bedroom to eliminate any musty smell. Also, I will leave other needed items on a tray in the guest room. These items might be small designer chocclates, latex condoms, mini bottles of whiskey, and a package of Joker 1.5 cig. wrappers. Fresh flowers from the front yard also bring warmth.

By Juanita

July 24, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Let them be able to hear in your voice that they are welcome. Give them free reign of the refrigerator. Place a note on the bed that says “welcome” along with a peppermint. And give them a spare key to the house. Let them enjoy what they enjoy while in your home (as long as its legal)

By Mrs. Warren

July 24, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

I always clean our house top to bottom. I can’t stand visiting someone’s house and its filthy. I also have clean linens on the bed, fresh towels laid out and a stocked fridge.

By NewcombGirl

July 24, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

A clean house and clean bed and bath linens should go without saying. Individual toiletries, bottled water, and chocolates are a nice touch. I also make sure there’s an alarm clock (with the correct time) on the bedside table, and I have a nice luggage rack that I open at the end of the bed. While my guest room closet is unfortunately full, I do have a chiffarobe in that room with nice wooden hangers. I leave its door slightly ajar so guests will know that’s where they can hang things.

By SD

July 24, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to go tooooooo overboard Martha Stewarting up the house for my guest for fear that too much obvious and contrived attention and accomdodations could make them feel uncomfortable and that I had to work too hard to prepare for their visit. Lines are always clean in my guest bedroom, as well as the towels in the spare bathroom. I’m not adding clocks, chocolates, bathrobes…all that. This is my house, not the Ritz and I don’t want them to overstay a visit.

By A. Nony Mouse

July 24, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

If you visit my house I am afraid, you will be greeted by large curious dogs and share a bathroom(that is “Oh My God” Pink) with a barely house broke 13 year old daughter.

By Mr. Holmes

July 24, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

In the guest bedroom there is large screen television and DVD player. Many times I leave a selection of films to watch. Sometimes a guest needs a little space to relax and this helps. In the mix I will often put in classics, comedy, drama,and something stimulating from my vast collection of pornography. I find the more deviant the film the longer a guest takes for an afternoon nap.

By Becky

July 24, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

I only have one sister, a niece & her husband that live out of state that stay at my house..The reason for this, is because we don’t smoke or drink, therefore noone wants to stay there..As for this guest, they are welcomed with fresh linens, a matching towel & wash cloths, then are told that if there’s anything else they want or need to just let me know..

By Lissa

July 24, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

At my house, I keep clean linens in the guest bedroom and I clean the rarely used bathroom. No chocolates, fridge-stocking, etc. I try to pick up the house, but it is what it is. If that’s not good enough, they can hire me a maid!

By Ich bin ein Beginner

July 24, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

I greet them with a European style kiss on both cheeks—then ask if they’d like some arugula.

By bronco's half brother by his aunt

July 24, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

I totally disagree with the arugula. It is difficult to roll in zig zags. We always try to have the badmitten net up for entertainment. Thats if the truck ain’t tore up and I have to spend all weekend working on it.s

By lil Martha

July 25, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

to Bronco and Bronco’s half brother: THANKS for the laugh first thing in the day - I needed that!!! In addition to other things mentioned above, I keep my linens packed in dried lavender sachets and make the bed fresh before they arrive so it will still smell nice and relaxing. I moved my DVD collection into the spare room so they can watch a movie if they want. [People’s sleep habits are not all the same.]

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