Being a good host is an accomplishment to be proud of. Hosting overnight guests takes your hospitality talents to a new level. There’s an art to making out-of-town guests feel welcome and comfortable in your home. It requires some advance planning, a sensitivity to others’ tastes and needs, and just a few tips on how to entertain out of town guests.
Preparing Sleeping Quarters
Prepare your guest room by putting clean sheets on the bed, airing out the room if it’s been closed up between guests, and freshening it up.
Some hosts put some good quick-read books in their guest rooms, along with some magazines, bottled water and candy – all nice touches that will make your overnight guests feel special. The Nest quotes etiquette expert Letitia Baldridge, who suggests including a note with books in your guest room that says, “Don't worry if you don't have time to finish. Take me with you when you leave!"
If you don’t have a guest room and your guests will be sleeping in a child’s bedroom, take out what the child will need access to during your guests’ stay. Make some room in the closet and dresser for your guests to put his things.
If your overnight guests are staying on a couch, have sheets and blankets ready so you can prepare the couch for their night stay when the day is over.
Getting a Bathroom Ready for Guests
Designate a bathroom for your guests’ use and be sure it’s clean and sparkling for their visit. Clean the shower, tub, sinks and toilet, put out clean towels and be sure there is soap and shampoo readily available. Liquid shower soap is best for guest bathrooms. Your guests will appreciate the clean, sanitary squirt bottle as opposed to bar soap that’s been half used.
A nice touch is to have a hair dryer, a curling iron, hairspray, spray deodarant, toothpaste, mouth wash and other items that your guests can use if they forgot any of their toiletries. You can also keep a new, unopened toothbrush in your guest bathroom, as an added nicety.
Preparing Meals in Advance
How much do you know about your guests’ dietary needs, restrictions, likes and dislikes? Don’t be shy about asking in advance what your guests like to eat. You’ll be their primary – probably only – source of food during their stay, so you’ll want to serve them food they’ll enjoy.
You won’t want to spend the entire stay cooking from scratch, yet you’ll want to make nice, home cooked meals, so make a few dishes in advance. Most desserts can be made in advance, frozen and thawed for guests. Plan some menus that lend themselves to advance cooking and quick preparation. Assemble a lasagna ahead of time and freeze it. When your company arrives, let it thaw early in the morning of the day you want to serve it. Pop it in the oven along with a prepared and frozen garlic bread, throw together a bagged lettuce salad and you’ve got a dinner good enough for company but without a lot of work.
Cooking Village has suggested recipes for do-ahead meals for company.
Keep breakfasts and lunches simple: Bagels and some flavored cream cheese spreads, bakery muffins, or toast and cereal are fine for company breakfast. Set out some cold cuts, cheese and rolls at lunch time.
Entertaining Out-of-Towners
If you’re entertaining overnight company, weekend guests or other long visits from company, plan an outing, activity or other event that shows off your city. It’s best if you go with them, but depending on the guest and the event, you may be able to send them off with directions while you stay home and prepare dinner or get caught up on other duties.
Find out what your guests want to do and see, and get a feel for how much they want to fit into a day. Are they high energy people who want to get up at the crack of dawn and do and see everything? Or are they looking to get some rest and relaxation out of this trip? Have some options ready, consult your community calendar and offer them some choices no things to do. Let them choose instead of you dictating the activities.
Etiquette requires that you pay for your guests if you invite them to a restaurant or an activity that requires a charge. However, if your guests insist on paying for themselves, you can relinquish and go Dutch, or graciously thank them if they pay your way, too.
Preparing Sleeping Quarters
Prepare your guest room by putting clean sheets on the bed, airing out the room if it’s been closed up between guests, and freshening it up.
Some hosts put some good quick-read books in their guest rooms, along with some magazines, bottled water and candy – all nice touches that will make your overnight guests feel special. The Nest quotes etiquette expert Letitia Baldridge, who suggests including a note with books in your guest room that says, “Don't worry if you don't have time to finish. Take me with you when you leave!"
If you don’t have a guest room and your guests will be sleeping in a child’s bedroom, take out what the child will need access to during your guests’ stay. Make some room in the closet and dresser for your guests to put his things.
If your overnight guests are staying on a couch, have sheets and blankets ready so you can prepare the couch for their night stay when the day is over.
Getting a Bathroom Ready for Guests
Designate a bathroom for your guests’ use and be sure it’s clean and sparkling for their visit. Clean the shower, tub, sinks and toilet, put out clean towels and be sure there is soap and shampoo readily available. Liquid shower soap is best for guest bathrooms. Your guests will appreciate the clean, sanitary squirt bottle as opposed to bar soap that’s been half used.
A nice touch is to have a hair dryer, a curling iron, hairspray, spray deodarant, toothpaste, mouth wash and other items that your guests can use if they forgot any of their toiletries. You can also keep a new, unopened toothbrush in your guest bathroom, as an added nicety.
Preparing Meals in Advance
How much do you know about your guests’ dietary needs, restrictions, likes and dislikes? Don’t be shy about asking in advance what your guests like to eat. You’ll be their primary – probably only – source of food during their stay, so you’ll want to serve them food they’ll enjoy.
You won’t want to spend the entire stay cooking from scratch, yet you’ll want to make nice, home cooked meals, so make a few dishes in advance. Most desserts can be made in advance, frozen and thawed for guests. Plan some menus that lend themselves to advance cooking and quick preparation. Assemble a lasagna ahead of time and freeze it. When your company arrives, let it thaw early in the morning of the day you want to serve it. Pop it in the oven along with a prepared and frozen garlic bread, throw together a bagged lettuce salad and you’ve got a dinner good enough for company but without a lot of work.
Cooking Village has suggested recipes for do-ahead meals for company.
Keep breakfasts and lunches simple: Bagels and some flavored cream cheese spreads, bakery muffins, or toast and cereal are fine for company breakfast. Set out some cold cuts, cheese and rolls at lunch time.
Entertaining Out-of-Towners
If you’re entertaining overnight company, weekend guests or other long visits from company, plan an outing, activity or other event that shows off your city. It’s best if you go with them, but depending on the guest and the event, you may be able to send them off with directions while you stay home and prepare dinner or get caught up on other duties.
Find out what your guests want to do and see, and get a feel for how much they want to fit into a day. Are they high energy people who want to get up at the crack of dawn and do and see everything? Or are they looking to get some rest and relaxation out of this trip? Have some options ready, consult your community calendar and offer them some choices no things to do. Let them choose instead of you dictating the activities.
Etiquette requires that you pay for your guests if you invite them to a restaurant or an activity that requires a charge. However, if your guests insist on paying for themselves, you can relinquish and go Dutch, or graciously thank them if they pay your way, too.
