10 Essentials for Welcoming Houseguests

  1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10

Your home is not a 5-star hotel but that doesn't mean guests can't feel welcomed and pampered when they come for overnight visits. Here are ten things you can do to ensure your houseguests have an awesome time when they stay with you.
1. Have a pretty serving tray with beverages and cheese and crackers or some other little nibble ready for when your guests arrive. 
2. Spritz sheets and pillow cases with linen spray.
3. Have scented candles burning in both the guest bathroom and bedroom when your guests arrive...
4. ...And keep pretty matchbooks nearby so they can relight when they need to.
5. Lay out bath sheets for your guests--they're much bigger than regular bath towels.   
6. Instead of the usual lavender or lilac, offer guest soaps that have unisex fragrances, like almond or tobacco (which is surprisingly nice).
7. Leave a chilled glass bottle of water and a clean glass on the nightstand for guests before they retire.
8. Keep current issues of magazines on hand for guests to peruse before bed or when lazing around the house. A pretty basket will keep them organized.
9. Set the timer on your coffee maker and keep clean mugs out so your guests can help themselves if they happen to wake up before you.
10. A small parting gift, nothing too extravagant, will make their stay with you even more memorable.