Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Tuesday's Tip for Being a Good Hostess


It is summertime, which means you may be having visitors! We LOVE having visitors here in the land of sun and fun. Therefore, it's important that I try to be a good hostess. For those early visitors, I was not too good. However, the more entrenched in Florida we become, the more I try to be an outstanding hostess:).

First of all, be sure to ask your guests if they have any favorites that you might have on hand. For example, I am a girl who loves her Diet Dew and Diet Pepsi. When I have visited FB in NYC or B in TN, I am welcomed by a fridge filled with Diet Pepsi. My sweet mother-in-law does the same thing, and it is a wonderful touch. If you know your guest only drinks bottled water, then try to have some on hand. If they have a sweet tooth, then you need to go to the Farmer's Market in Raleigh and pick up a caramel cake or visit Wright's here in Tampa for one of their culinary delights. On the other hand, if your guest has let you know that she is watching her girlish figure, then try to keep the Zapp's chips at bay, and pull out the carrot sticks!

Secondly, you will want to make sure you have a comfortable guest room. It is recommended that you spend a night in your own guest room so that you are aware of any problems such as the temperature, a poor pillow, or dirt or a foul smell or whatever! Buy comfortable, inviting linens that will entice your guest to sleep. It's also important that you use a calming paint color in a guest room. In our house, our son's room becomes our guest room. Therefore, I give the room a heavy cleaning before each guest arrives. I dust, organize, and scrub. My dear parents couldn't bare to tell me that I did not have any hangers that would fit their clothes! They finally fessed up and I immediately went out and bought some nice velvet covered hangers for our guests' clothes. Be aware!

I like to put stamped postcards from our city in our guest room, along with a pretty pen. Friends can send a note to a loved one about the fabulous time we are having together!


It is also nice to welcome your guest with a gift, though I am often forgetful and do not do this every time. I bought the CUTEST bags at ecodilly.com that hold a bottled water and snacks for a guest's journey home. I have filled one for my mother-in-law for her next visit! It is the perfect welcome gift and the bag is GREEN!


At night, I try to leave a special piece of chocolate like Toblerone, Godiva, or some other special treat on their pillow when I fold down the top sheet. Again, this does not happen for every guest or every night!

Sometimes I'll put pretty music on in the room or light a candle in their bathroom or some other special touch. I try to keep their trash can emptied and will often clean their bathroom during our guest's stay, just like you might find at a nice hotel.

How do you make your guests feel special?

12 comments:

sevenalstons said...

I'd like to make my reservation for Chez Henley, please! I'm sure your guests are very blessed by your thoughtfulness. What a nice way to make friends and family feel very welcome :)

Travelbugmom said...

I want to come and visit YOU! Starting on Weds. I'm having overnight guests in and out for 2 weeks!
My prep was to blow up the air mattresses in the basement - LOL!!
I really love all your thoughtful items...especially the postcards and snack holder!
Thanks

Mama K said...

Great ideas!! Love the cooler/bag idea for the trip home! So cute!

mFw said...

I'd love to stay at your house! You are so sweet to your guests!

Seersucker Scrapper said...

I think I would like to stay at your house.

What a wonderful hostess you are! and such great ideas.

Love Being A Nonny said...

Thanks for some great ideas! I do usually leave new toothbrushes/toothpaste/shampoo, etc. out with their bath towels. I like to put fresh flowers in their room too if I think about it. I always lay a few magazines out in the room and put a small fan by the bed in case they are warm or just want to drown out the noise. (Love the stamped post card idea...though most of my guests don't stay that long!)

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

What an amazing hostess! I love the idea to spend a night in the guest room to pick up on what needs changing, etc! Great tips.

Thank you so much for your sweet comment today.

bevy said...

We never have guests... but I'm looking forward to a trip to Casa Henley!

Henley on the Horn said...

Y'all come any time, sweet blog friends! I will treat you RIGHT:)

Unknown said...

Maybe that's why we don't have overnight guests. well, other than other people's children! :)

Catherine said...

You are a lovely, considerate hostess! How about a few tips for being a considerate guest?

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