"Entertaining Out Of Towner's"

Ever get the call, "Were coming to town"... or how about the late night dinner party and one of your guests is too tired to drive home? I know when these situations arise, I immediately run through the list of a hundred things that I need to do before I have a sleep over. With the Holiday's right around the corner, here are a few helpful tips to make you look like the stellar host to your guests.

Of course, there is the normal house cleaning to do. For handy "quick tips" on how to spruce up the place in record time, refer to an entry previously posted August 23rd, called "Quick Pre-Party Cleaning". There are some great tips there which cover the cleaning basics.
But how do you go the extra mile for those guests that are planning to spend the night?
I know that I personally love to stay away in a hotel. Having fresh sheets and towels everyday is a luxury to me. Okay, maybe not eco friendly but it is fun. I also love the idea of someone else cooking and cleaning up. When I have guests, my goal is to make my them feel like they are getting special treatment right in my own home. I'm not talking 5 star accommodations, but try adding special touches to help your overnight guest feel like they are on a well deserved get away.
For starters, make sure the guest room is clean. This includes fresh sheets, and a tidy, freshly vacuumed and dusted room.

Next make sure that the temperature in the guest room is nice and comfortable. In the summer, provide a fan for your guests if you don't already have one in the ceiling. And in the winter, provide an extra blanket at the foot of the bed, in the event that your guests get chilly during the night.

I suggest taking your guest room for a "test drive". I recently spent the night in my guest room to uncover any areas which may need adjustments before anyone further stayed the night.
Right off the bat, I noticed that the room was very bright in the early morning hours. I promptly purchased a much better window shade to provide more privacy and filter the early morning rays.
Speaking of light, consider the lighting fixtures in the room. Is there enough bedside light for reading? Preferably, you should provide light fixtures on either side of the bed. This will allow 1 or 2 guests the option to read at night without disturbing the other with a bright overhead light. In addition, bedside lamps are much easier to turn as opposed to getting out of bed when you are cozy under the sheets.

If budget allows, try splurging on your guest with a few of these simple ideas. How about a few current magazines in subjects of interest to your guest. I have a dear friend who travels a lot for business, when she stays with me on the occasional layover trip, I provide her with the latest travel magazines to dreamy destinations or even some of the latest gossip magazines to take her mind off of work and stress. My husband is an avid surfer so I place a few of his old surf magazines in the room for the guys to enjoy.
I have a bookshelf in my guest room stocked with books that both my husband and I have already read. This will allow your guest an opportunity to pick up a book and get cozy. I have left a framed note in the bookcase which invites my friends to take the book with them. Being a devoted reader, I have lots of books which I don't need. I keep my "special" books in a different area. For out of towner's who are staying a few days, I provide a few local area maps and a book about Orange County. They can use the information to map out their visit and familiarize themselves with my town.

I also like to leave a few bottles of water for my guest. Travel can make people dehydrated, offering water in the guest room reminds them to drink up and stay refreshed.

Another tip that seems to be a hit with my guests is providing the often forgotten "essentials" I found a basket in my closet and filled it with 2 toothbrushes, travel size toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. I have recently added chocolates to my basket in case the late night sweet attack plagues your guests. The basket is a nice touch and is easy to refill. You can store the basket in a closet when there is no one visiting.

Don't forget to provide ample space for luggage and clothes. I picked up an inexpensive luggage bench like the ones you see in hotels. These racks can be found at places like the Container Store and various online travel stores.

In addition, if you have a dresser in your guest room, make space for your friends to unpack. Clear some space in your closet and provide extra hangers.
Don't forget to have an alarm clock beside the bed. Many people do not travel with them and if they like to be on schedule, this will help. I chose one with a radio so that my guest can listen to music if they prefer while getting ready.
A full length mirror is a definite in a guest room. I know I like to check out the whole outfit before I leave. Your guest will thank you for this detail.

If your guests have their own bathroom, be sure the towels are clean and you provide plenty of wash cloths. I also like to leave a few candles with matches near the bathtub along with scented bubbles and a warm cozy bathrobe to encourage a relaxing bath if they have time. While your guest are visiting invite them to relax and take some time alone in their room to read or nap. This will give you time to prepare a wonderful meal for your guests.

Speaking of meals. Try to plan ahead and cook at home for at least one meal while your friends are visiting. Having a home cooked meal is always nice when you are traveling. It's also a good way to spend some quality time catching up. There is nothing worse than being hustled out of a restaurant so that the server can turn her table.
Find out if your guests have any food allergies that you need to be aware of. Your meal does not have to be gourmet. Attempt to create a meal that you can enjoy cooking, eating and cleaning while hanging out with your guest. Offer a drink and snack to linger on while you prepare the food. Don't forget the background music while you enjoy each other's company. Unless your guest is dying to watch their favorite program, avoid turning on the TV. The visit will be much more memorable if you spend time chatting and catching up.

Before heading to bed, find out what your guest's schedule involves. Do they need to be up early and out the door? If so, it's always nice to get up a few minutes before your guest and brew some coffee or tea. Your guest will appreciate the smell first thing in the morning and it will make them feel comfortable knowing that they are not waking you. If you have time for breakfast, an easy suggestion is fresh fruit, yogurt, and some bagels or croissants.

Entertaining out of town friends or late night dinner guests does not have to be stressful. I have made a checklist that I refer to when I know I need to get ready for my guests. I try to keep my "essentials" basket stocked and my guest room clean. This way when I get the unexpected call or the dinner party runs late, I don't go into panic mode. It's easy enough to stop by the market to pick up a few snacks and quick meals. Relax and enjoy your time with your guests. Don't be surprised if they come again... soon.