Houseguest poll

tlv204 · November 2009

When you are a guest in someone else's house, what is one thing the host/hostess could do that would make you feel most at home and most welcome? My godmother is coming to visit next weekend from Texas, and our house is still a mess. We're finally getting our carpet in upstairs today, so we will have a real guest room set up in the room we've been sleeping in, but I feel so bad that I know everything will not be decorated and unpacked all the way by Friday. Any ideas to kind of make up for it? I want to be a good hostess!

ggmae · November 2009

It would be nice if MIL allowed DH and I to sleep in the same bed, but there isn't space (and I think it bugs her deep down.)Do you know what some of your godmother's favorite foods are? I would make sure to have some of those on hand.

mocha beans · November 2009

I have to have OJ in the morning, so I love it when there's real OJ in the fridge.Otherwise I'm not picky; clean bed and blankets is good enough for me, the rest is gravy. I'm no help!

crfische · November 2009

Some nice, cute travel sized items in the bathroom is always nice.And it seems silly, but I always appreciate a lamp and a room that smells good.

lyndausvi · November 2009

I like it when they have some of my favorite things. Example my mom loves Pepsi (I do not). I always make sure I have Pepsi in the house. I do not drink coffee, yet I make sure not only there is coffee in the house, but the coffee maker is ready to go.I make sure things they will need are out and ready to use or least available. Example towels, soap, etc. There is nothing worse than having ask where the towels are.

eastunder1 · November 2009

I hate when there isn't a mirror in the guest room. I want to at least be presentable (no hair sticking straight up or sleep boogies) when I go out into the house in the morning, and I hate having to do that blind. Never underestimate the power of fresh flowers. I always have some in our guest room when people come to visit.

[Deleted User] · November 2009

let me sleep in. then make breakfast.

tlv204 · November 2009

Thanks! I hadn't thought of a lot of those things, keep them coming!

mocha beans · November 2009

Ohh, maybe have a few magazines or a book of short stories kicking around. I hate getting up before everyone else when I'm a guest and being bored, and somehow I'm always the first up. I am also terrible at remembering to bring a book. So it's nice if there's something to read that can occupy me rather than sitting in bed or the couch staring at the ceiling.

eastunder1 · November 2009

If you know what their favorite magazines are, buy a few and have them on the bedside table for them to flip through. Also, make sure ANYTHING they might need bathroom wise is in view or has been pointed out. There is nothing worse than having to ask where extra toilet paper or the blowdryer is. I know people have touched on this already, but find out what she likes to drink and snack on and have it in the house. Its so frustrating to stay with someone with totally different food tastes than you, and there not be anything you really want to eat or drink. Its nice to open the fridge and see some things you adore staring back at you.

squirrly · November 2009

I always have a lamp, radio, & clock out and visible. I wish I had a tv for the guest room, but I don't. I also have several hangers in the closet, along with an extra blanket, an ironing board, and an iron.Bathroom has plenty of towels, soap, shampoo & conditioner, soap, cup, q-tips, cotton balls, etc.I put coffee, tea bags, sugar, & mugs out beside the coffee pot. I don't drink coffee, though, so I'm really not good at making it. I try to find out beverage preferences & stock those, plus some easy access snacks.Oh - and a chaise/chair/ottoman/bench of some sort in the guest room helps a lot too. Someplace to sit or just to put the suitcase.

katiewhompus · November 2009

I always like having a bathroom set in the bedroom, including towel, soap, travel sized shampoos etc. That way they don't feel like they are imposing by asking where everything is or using your stuff (especially if you use bar soap/loofas, think about it)Books and magazines are a great idea, and maybe a basket with some snacks and drinks. I always feel weird going into other people's fridges or cabinets, even if they say help yourself. This way its in the room and they don't have to feel like they are eating "your" food.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · November 2009

I pimp out the futon when people come. I got sheets on sale at BB&B, use a nice quilt, comforter, and a feather bed/down mattress pad on it to make it comfy. Also, leave a nice little stack of towel(s), and maybe some soap and shampoo in the guest room. I hate having to ask for towels, and then I feel like I'm intruding - like I should just bring my own.

squirrly · November 2009

I should note - my guest bedroom has its own bathroom with no access other than that bedroom (yeah, our house basically has 2 master suites). So, the towels/soap/etc. in the bathroom are really just for the guest. If they're sharing a bathroom I'd put all that in the bedroom.

katiewhompus · November 2009

So a follow up question,How many people have a room solely devoted as a guest room? How often do you have people use it?

squirrly · November 2009

FI's parents come down about twice a year & stay with us. OOT friends 3 - 5 times/year. In town friends have crashed here a few times after parties. The bed in our guest room is actually a day bed with trundle. It's great, because it doesn't take up too much room, and works really well when we have a girls' weekend, etc. and need beds for people who don't necessarily want to share a bed. Also, it can be set up as a king by pushing them together & putting an eggcrate pad on & then king sheets. I love it, and apparently FMIL does too, as she's now trying to find one to do the same thing at her house. I also think murphy beds are great for a guest room/office combo.

mocha beans · November 2009

We have a guest bedroom; really it's just the 2nd bedroom, which if we have kids in this house will become the kids' room. It has a double bed and a dresser so far, not much. Also, 4 doors still in their wrapping that will replace the other interior doors, but I don't suggest having that in a spare bedroom usually. It gets used a dozen or so times a year, usually when people stay over for the weekend or are too drunk to drive home.

BubbleJ · November 2009

Have basic food in the house. Bread for toast, spreads etc. Also find out if she has any allergies that need to be catered for. When she arrives take her for a tour of the house so she knows where everything is and she can get herself water etc in the night if she needs it. Having a house that isn't finished isn't being a bad host!

tlv204 · November 2009

Thank you guys so much, those are all great ideas! We have a separate guest bedroom, but we didn't before. We happened to get a 3 bedroom house, and we don't have kids, so it's perfect for us, an office, and a guest room. Sorry I keep leaving for bits of time, I have a visitor coming, who happens to be a knottie

BubbleJ · November 2009

To answer the F/U - We have one room with a queen bed just for guests, although it doubles as a junk room. We don't have guests often, ususally just friends who don't feel like driving home or need to be somewhere the next morning that is closer to my place then theirs. My parents stay about twice a year. We also have a single bed in the office but that only gets used if we have had a party, or if my parents and sister stay at the same time.

ricksang · November 2009

Nice comfy bed, a kind host, and a lot of good food is great!

danieliza1127 · November 2009

I have a big basket in our guest room and I always put a couple of nice clean towels and washcloths in there, so the person staying doesn't have to dig around or wonder where to find towels. I also put a fresh, unwrapped bar of soap in the shower. I make sure there's plenty to eat, including snacks and regular food, so if we don't want to go out to eat all the time, it's no hassle to make something at home. Our guestroom also has a lamp and I put two books on the night stand, and there's a vanilla reed air freshener thing in there too. I'm sure your godmother will understand if things aren't decorated and stuff, especially ince you just moved in and have been getting new carpet.

Houseguest poll

Re: Houseguest poll

Choose Another Board

Search Boards