If you're expecting house guests this holiday season, there are a few things you can keep on hand to make them as comfortable as possible. And if you're stocked up, you'll be well prepared for any last minute visitors.
These are the things I usually like to have ready and waiting when I have out of town visitors. It's by no means a comprehensive list so please leave your own suggestions in the comments below.
Bedding
• An air mattress stows away easily and is imperative if, like me, you don't own a sleeper couch.
• Spare Sheets to cover the couch (or air mattress) create a clean, comfortable sleep environment.
• Spare pillow and blankets
Toiletries
• A fresh towel
• An extra toothbrush (nothing is worse than forgetting yours).
• Fresh soap, I save the mini bars from hotel stays.
Extras
• I like to leave a few maps and city guides in case my guests want to set out on their own, the EatShop Guides are great for local spots.
• Snacks like granola and bottles of water are nice to have on hand for late night snacks without rummaging around and neighborhood expeditions.
• Instructions on how to use the TV, coffee pot, etcetera in your absence are usually appreciated.
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Include a fresh washcloth with the towel. No one wants to share your loofah :)
In addition to what's listed, I also include a few local magazines, bottle of lotion, and a snack (typically crackers and some kind of chocolate).
I'm currently hunting for an air mattress to go on top of our sleeper sofa: for height and optimal comfort. Otherwise, I'm going to add some kind of structure to the thing.
We have one really really nice memory foam pillow that is only used for guests. Otherwise, my husband and I would fight over it way too much!
Forget the welcome mat... where do you get those great / beautiful shoes? more like "hello, where did you buy your shoes?" than "hello"...:)
Toilet paper. Always buy extra toilet paper.
Also lightbulbs, because nobody ever believes that all the lights in your bathroom simultaneously burned out five minutes before they arrived.
I was hoping this was going to show me steps on how to make that welcome mat.
Instructions on how to use things is such a good idea. My mom never remembers how to use the coffee maker and always gets up before me and dad always gets confused by the remote.
ditto lampeam. Every home I ever visit seems to have some weird tv remote that I can just never seem to be able to figure out.
Please go ahead and buy a regular size bar of soap. You can purchase them cheaply enough at a drug store, or get a fancy one at TJ Maxx. I truly do not know any adult who enjoys using those slivers of soap.