With the holiday season quickly approaching, I thought I’d list a few things that people can do to be the hostess with the mostess. There is nothing worse than staying at someone’s home and being uncomfortable. Ok, so maybe there are worse things in life, but it doesn’t make for a pleasant stay. We all want to be the best host we can be and make our guests feel comfortable. If you’re totally clueless in this area, I hope that my list will help  steer you in the right direction. I’ve asked a few friends and family members as well as researched online to get some different takes on the issue.

• Clean sheets- this should be a given, but you’d be surprised. No one wants to get in bed with your kids drool stains all over the pillows or dog hair on the sheets. 
• Clean towels- if you have a musty ‘wet’ smell to your towels (because you left them in the washer) simply wash them again with Borax and the musty smell will disappear. (Or for stubborn musty smells wash your towels in hot water with a cup of vinegar, and then run again in hot water with a half-cup of baking soda. That will strip your towels from all of that residue and mildew smell and will actually leave them feeling fluffy and smelling fresh.) It is also important to lay the towels out where your guests can easily find them. (It’s a pain to have to come hunt you down to find out where you keep your linens, especially if it’s late at night!)
• Temperature control- I think it’s always better to be cold than hot. You can always put on more clothes or bundle up with an extra blanket if it’s cold, but there’s not much you can do if it’s hot. Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature at night. We like it around 68 degrees in our house. Experts say anywhere between 65-72 is good sleeping temperature.
• Provide an extra blanket.
• Fans- if there is not a ceiling fan in the guest room, place a portable fan in the room.
• Clean bathroom- if the guest bathroom also happens to be the kids’ bathroom or other family members’, put away items such as kids’ toys and training toilets until your guests leave. Empty trashcan, make sure the toilet is void of any dark rings, and hair has been removed from the shower drain (you get the idea). Also provide a plunger in the bathroom and make sure it’s stocked with plenty of toilet paper.
• Simple bathroom products- like soap and toothpaste in case they forget theirs, is always great to have on hand.
• Have food in the house- I’m not saying you have to cook a gourmet meal, but simple creature comforts are a must, such as breakfast items, coffee, and snacks.

That is the basic list that I feel everyone should have for their guests. However, I have also compiled an ‘over and above’ list for those Martha Stewart do-gooders. You know who you are! This is a list of things that are not necessary, but will be sure to make any guest want to come back and visit! (This may or may not be a good thing.)

• A bottle or carafe of water in their room
• Fresh flowers always brightens up a room for me!
• Most people love to lay in bed and watch TV in their own home, so if you’ve got an extra TV, go ahead and place it in the guest room. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it!
• A box of tissues
• Luggage rack
• Hangers in the closet
• Robe
• More bathroom comforts such as a toothbrush, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, etc.
• A heated mattress pad in the colder months (although, according to my brother-in-law, he hates getting into a warm bed??).  Oh well, it’s there if they want to use it!
• Special foods (if they have a food allergy or are gluten intolerant) or favorite food requests
• An information packet about your city with things to do in case they have a day to themselves
• A charging station for phones and cameras
• Provide your wifi password on a welcome note
• Reading material such as magazines or books
• A reading light
• Night light in the hallway (to avoid any bumps in the night)
• Pen and paper
• Alarm clock
• Trash can
• Purchase a towel folding book to learn how to fold guests towels like they do on cruise ships! (yes, I will admit to owning a book like this)
• And last but not least, a little something extra that I like to do is fold the toilet paper into a nice point! Boom! Cherry on top!

So what did I forget? What are some things that you like to have done when staying at someone’s house? Hopefully, I’ve covered most of it and have helped transform a lackluster host into a mini-Martha!

*I’d also like to note that not everyone has a dedicated guest room. Sometimes the kids’ rooms are used for guests or a blow up bed is set up in the den. You can still make your guests feel welcome by cleaning up the room they’ll be sleeping in and making up for it in other ways such as a good cup of coffee and a hot breakfast!

*Stay tuned for my follow up post on how to be a good guest!

“Hospitality is making your guest feel at home, even if you wish they were.”  -Author Unknown