How to accommodate holiday guests
BY SARAH MEEKS For Sun-Times Media November 9, 2012 3:39PM
Care package: Provide your guests with a simple basket full of toiletries. Opt for travel or small sized items to save on space and money. The go-to gift basket can include: bottled water, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a bath towel, a hand towel, lotion, cotton swabs, a pen and a small notebook. | SUPPLIED PHOTO
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Updated: November 26, 2012 3:55PM
Many of us may find ourselves with a little extra company this holiday season. These tips will help you manage keeping houseguests.
Plan. No one likes unexpected company, and no one likes to feel like they are intruding. Let friends and family members know that your home is open to guests, but to please let you know so you can plan accordingly. Give yourself plenty of time to organize dates and sleeping arrangements so you are fully prepared.
Stock up on low maintenance food. Don’t feel like you need to cook every meal for your guests. This is your holiday, too. Stock up on food that is an ease to prepare and clean up after. Give your guests permission to help themselves to your food and point out meal-specific foods that are available (i.e.: cereal, oatmeal, store-bought muffins and frozen waffles for breakfast).
Give your guest a care package. Make your guests feel welcome by providing them a simple basket full of toiletries. Not only does it look super special and fancy, but also if they forgot something, they don’t have to ask you for anything. Opt for travel or small sized items to save on space and money. The go-to gift basket can include: bottled water, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a bath towel, a hand towel, lotion, cotton swabs, a pen and a small notebook.
Have enough necessities. Make sure you have enough towels, plates, toilet paper, napkins, pillows and blankets to accommodate all your guests.
If you only have one guest room and multiple people will be staying with you, get creative with sleeping arrangements. Don’t worry if your family room looks perfect. You may need that space to sleep multiple guests, so move (or remove) your furniture accordingly.
If children are staying with you and you have sentimental or breakable décor, move or pack away those items so you, and the child’s parents, don’t have to worry the duration of their stay. You want to focus on your guests, not your tchotchkes.
Keep in mind; most people want to be home for the holidays. Although hosting guests isn’t always a walk in the park, being a houseguest isn’t always easy either. Most likely, these people staying in your home mean a great deal to you (and vice versa) so kick back, relax and enjoy each other’s company.
