How To Be A Good Host: Overnight & Weekend Stays
Being a good host is equally as important as being a good guest. My friends and I have had countless conversations about overnight stays where the host made us feel like we weren’t welcomed or a burden to them. They were less than welcoming and just plain rude. It inevitably made us view them differently. Especially because we knew we had been a good guest. It’s your job as a host to go out of your way for your guest. You want to always treat your family and friends with love. Here are my five tips to being a good host when someone is staying at your home.
1. Clean up ahead of time
It’s important to make sure your home is in tip-top shape for guests. Some people would even consider it rude to not to do so. Plus, you don’t want people to talk about you once they leave lol. You also want them to WANT to return!
2. Make sure your guest is comfortable
There is nothing worse than making someone feel uncomfortable in your home. It’s not their space and if they are a good guest it can end up ruining the relationship. Never make them feel unwanted or out of place. Be warm, kind, and inviting. Make sure they are comfortable and cared for. Try and provide some of their favorite snacks and drinks for a special touch. Plan a fun activity or an excursion. Just depends on how much time you all have.
3. Let them know your local favorite spots
If someone is coming from out of town they are going to want to do DC the DC way. Brunch and Happy Hour all day. So have a list of your favorites ready for them when they arrive. It will take the thought out of figuring out where you should eat. Whatever your hometown is known for create that list and really wow your guest!
4. Have extra pillows, towels, blankets, and possibly an air mattress
You want to make sure that you have a few extra towels, pillows and blankets for your guest. If you are in a smaller space and don’t have a designated area for your guest to sleep, then have a blow-up mattress waiting with the proper sized sheets and comforter to accompany it.
High Maintenance Hack: Buy the double blow up mattresses, they last longer, sit up higher, and feel more like a real bed. Also if you have the regular air mattress check to make sure it won’t deflate once it’s blown up and guest lay on it. This tends to happen after multiple uses due to body heat. It may need to be replaced. There’s nothing worse them settling in after a long day and then sinking to the ground.lol
5. Ask them if they have any allergies or dietary restrictions
This might be the most important step and probably one of the first steps you need to take when you know someone is staying over. For instance, it could be a nightmare if you have someone staying over who is allergic to dogs and is unaware you have one. Or you prepare a meal for them like beef stroganoff and they are vegetarian. It’s an awkward revelation that can be easily avoided.
If you want to go above and beyond and be the ultimate hostess you can give your guest a parting gift. Maybe their favorite wine from the weekend or a local snack that they enjoyed. I’ve had this done to me and I left feeling amazing. I was highly impressed and thoroughly amused. It was great. That extra touch was everything.
What’s your favorite hostess if tip? Leave it in the comments below.
XOXO,
KVT
Photo Credit: Profile Picture From: @Brunchnista
